NOTE: This press release was written by the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA).
In a business meeting held on October 1, 2023, in La Quinta, California, IMLA confirmed the nomination of Rosemary Humway-Warmuth of Wheeling, West Virginia to be President of IMLA.
Rosemary Humway-Warmuth serves as the City Solicitor for the City of Wheeling, West Virginia and is in her 26th year of municipal public service. She has served as the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) State Chair for West Virginia and has repeatedly received certification as a IMLA Fellow signifying legal expertise in local government practice. She serves on the various committees for IMLA and is a member of IMLA’s Board of Directors.
She has served as a member of the Municipal League of West Virginia’s Legislative Review Committee, consistently working with the State League on legislative municipal issues and has worked with the Legal staff of the WV Office of the Governor and the Municipal League on crafting four House Bills, which resulted in or improved current legislation. She is the President of the State of West Virginia Municipal Attorney’s Association and a member of the local county bar, sits as a member of its Board of Directors, member of the West Virginia Bar Association and its Association’s Government Lawyers Committee.
Rosemary was a cum laude graduate of Bethany College, WV and Western Michigan Cooley Law School, Ostrander Class ‘94. She has also taught Introduction to Law, Forensic Evidence and Trial Techniques as an Adjunct Professor at Bethany College in West Virginia and has been an adjunct faculty member and seminar speaker at West Virginia University School of Law, numerous local, state and national conferences. She lives in Wheeling, WV with her husband, Brian, enjoys competitive cooking and has won numerous awards, including the International Chili Society Cook-Offs and Pillsbury Bake-Offs.
“My twenty-six (26) years as a member of the IMLA have been most beneficial to my practice as a municipal attorney and my participation in IMLA has been encouraged by my City Manager and governing body. Not only have I valued the educational aspects but the advantages of networking and friendships that being a member of the IMLA have fostered. I would hope to continue to promote the attributes of membership through the office of the Presidency. Being elected to this most esteemed position is clearly the pinnacle of my municipal law career and one that I have dreamed of attaining since being strongly influenced and encouraged to pursue a place on the Board of Directors several years ago by former IMLA President Susan Rocha. I truly appreciate the support extended to me by fellow IMLA Board members, colleagues, and staff for the office of President within this wonderful association of the municipal practitioners.”
In response to Ms. Humway-Warmuth’s new position, her colleagues had many well wishes and congratulatory thoughts:
Lori Grigg Bluhm, IMLA’s outgoing President, noted: “IMLA has already been so enriched because of Rose’s time and talent and passion. She has been an active leader for many years- both in IMLA and also her home state of West Virginia- serving in a variety of different positions benefitting municipal government. I’m confident that Rose will continue her exemplary record, and be an outstanding IMLA President, advocate, and cherished friend to all!”
Mark Matkovich, Private Practice attorney and Legal Counsel for the West Virginia Municipal League said: “Congratulations Rose! For more than two decades, you have been a colleague, a leader in the WV Municipal Lawyers association, a loyal public servant, and a friend. Your passion and drive have always been inspiring. But perhaps my favorite story is that you have personally cultivated, advanced and celebrated chili cookoff festivals in our region – illustrating that food is not just fuel, but about family, friends, and community. Again, congratulations and best wishes! “
Robert Herron, City Manager of Wheeling, West Virginia remarked: “Rose has been a phenomenal City Attorney for the City of Wheeling for the past 21 years. Her expertise and approach to providing legal advice for me, members of my administration and City Council have been trusted, accurate and with the right amount of legal pressure. Her expertise and approach have enabled the Wheeling city government to be respected in all aspects of potential litigation facing local governments and at all the levels of the courts within the State of West Virginia. That translates most importantly to ultimately looking out for the best interest for all citizens within our City. It is not only a great honor for Rose to be elected President for the International Municipal Lawyers Association, but all who work with her are proud of what she has accomplished in the field of municipal Law. She is hard-working, diligent, understanding and willing to adapt to just about any situation. I would like to offer, on behalf of myself and the City of Wheeling, a heartfelt congratulation to Rose, as she has worked very hard to earn the distinguished honor of leading your association for the upcoming year.”
Bob Fitzsimmons, a prominent attorney in the Wheeling area, added: “We are so proud of Rose’s appointment as President of the International Municipal Lawyers Association. Rose’s tireless work, leadership and dedication to the City of Wheeling earned her this outstanding achievement which brings International recognition to Rose, her family and all of Wheeling. Congratulations Rosie!”
Amanda Karras, IMLA’s Executive Director and General Counsel had similar high praise regarding Ms. Humway-Warmuth’s appointment: “Rose has been a leader of IMLA and a member of its board for many years. She has shown a steadfast commitment to IMLA and its mission over the years. We are grateful she is lending the organization her considerable talents as the next IMLA President and look forward to her vision for the future.”
Founded in 1935, the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization consisting of over 2,500 local government attorneys throughout the United States and Canada. IMLA provides a wide range of services and programs to its membership, including comprehensive educational programs, legal research, professional publications, and legal advocacy on behalf of its members in the United States Supreme Court, as well as federal and state appellate courts.
