By Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland
September 24, 2007

Speaking at the U.S. Conference of Mayors (“USCM”) Fall Leadership Meeting in Trenton, New Jersey, USCM President Mayor Douglas H. Palmer announced a new business alliance with the Austin law firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP. “Linebarger Goggan has been providing professional collection services to cities for over 30 years, and this new partnership will allow more of our nation’s cities the opportunity to further strengthen their local economies and better serve their constituents.”

Palmer stated that “Any business that earns three public-private partnership awards with USCM has to be doing something right. And as mayors, we owe it to the vast majority of Americans who pay their taxes and fees on time, and as required by law, to make sure that everyone who can do so is paying their fair share.” Conference of Mayors Executive Director Tom Cochran added “the Conference is pleased to welcome Linebarger Goggan as a Platinum Partner. They join an elite group of companies who provide an array of proven products and quality services to our cities.”

Linebarger Goggan will collect a billion dollars in delinquent government receivables this year alone. The firm has 45 offices in 15 states, with clients coast-to-coast. They collect taxes, fees, fines, service charges and various other types of past due financial obligations owed to municipalities.

Joining Palmer for the announcement was Mike Vallandingham, Partner & National Marketing Director for Linebarger Goggan. Vallandingham, who has overseen the law firm’s national marketing effort during the past decade, remarked that “my partners and our 1,600 employees are extremely proud of this new partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors. You have a reputation for excellence, and we will work hard to protect that reputation and to earn the trust that has been bestowed upon us.”

Linebarger Goggan received its first USCM Public-Private Partnership award in 2001 for its work with the City of Dallas in collecting delinquent taxes. In 2004, USCM recognized the firm again for its efforts to help the City of Chicago collect its outstanding fees and fines, such as parking tickets. And in January 2007, USCM bestowed yet another outstanding achievement award on Linebarger Goggan for its program to assist the City of Houston with inner city revitalization and the provision of affordable housing. They are the only three-time winner of this prestigious award.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors has partnered with corporate America for decades, and as a result of those relationships our nation’s cities are better places to live.

For additional information regarding Linebarger Goggan please contact Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland at 301-460-5251 or kweyland@usmayors.org or Jeffrey Bean at 202-446-8140 or jbean@usmayors.org.