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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-16
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
March 3, 2015
To recognize the contributions of V. David Zvenyach to the District of Columbia, his years of distinguished service to the Council of the District of Columbia, and his pioneering efforts in the field of public-sector open data.
WHEREAS, Vladlen David Zvenyach graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2003 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering;
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach moved from Wisconsin to the District of Columbia to study law;
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach attended the George Washington University Law School, receiving a juris doctor degree in 2006;
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach then served as law clerk to the Honorable Chief Judge Yvette Kane of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2008;
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach returned to the District of Columbia to serve as chief of staff for Ward 3 Councilmember Mary M. Cheh from 2008 to 2011;
WHEREAS, in that capacity, Mr. Zvenyach played a pivotal role in the passage of a number of key bills related to open government, elections law, and other subjects;
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach was appointed General Counsel of the Council of the District of Columbia in 2011 and has served with integrity, honor, and distinction in that capacity for 4 years;
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach has worked tirelessly to improve the performance, responsiveness, and reputation of the Council’s Office of General Counsel;
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach established the Pro Bono Legal Volunteer Program at the Council, allowing Council attorneys to perform valuable pro bono work in the local community without entering into conflicts of interest, and received the “Exceptional Service Award 2014” from the District of Columbia Bar for that accomplishment;
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach has provided zealous advocacy for the Council of the District of Columbia as well as District residents in support of budget autonomy for the District of Columbia;
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach has made numerous contributions to improve the transparency of government, both in the District of Columbia and nationwide, including the opening of the District of Columbia Official Code;
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach taught himself how to code, using that skill to build a number of software applications related to the law, and subsequently authored "Coding for Lawyers", a beginner's guide to programming;
WHEREAS, in recognition of his groundbreaking efforts as a public-sector open data advocate and innovator, Mr. Zvenyach was awarded the 2014 “Le Hackie” award for “Legal Hacker of the Year” by DC Legal Hackers, was selected as a member of the “Fastcase 50” for 2014, and won the “2014 Open Data Pioneer Award” from U.S. Open Data;
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach is a member of the District of Columbia Uniform Law Commission, representing the District before the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws;
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach has been a particularly active and engaged member of the District of Columbia Bar, having served as co-chair of the District of Columbia Affairs Section, as well as serving in other leadership positions;
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach serves on the Board of Directors for the Washington Council of Lawyers, an organization devoted to expanding access to justice and ensuring that the justice system serves the poor and marginalized; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Zvenyach has provided zealous advocacy for the Council, has touched on and improved hundreds of bills affecting the daily lives of District residents and visitors, and is a role model for public service and dedication to his craft.
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors V. David Zvenyach for his commitment, dedication, and service to the District of Columbia.
Sec. 2. This resolution may be cited as the “V. David Zvenyach Distinguished Public Service Recognition Resolution of 2015”.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
