Overview
As general counsel or special counsel to a host of municipalities, Pacifica attorneys have considerable experience with the range of constitutional and statutory laws that affect the work of municipal entities.
Lawyers at Pacifica have extensive experience advising and representing municipal entities on Washington law matters, including constitutional, statutory, administrative, and case law, as well as attorney general opinions and other guidance. We understand the constraints under which municipalities operate as well as their responsibilities to taxpayers and constituents.
We routinely work with municipal clients on issues related to open public meetings, public records policy and disclosure, public disclosure commission regulation, ethics, conflicts of interest, and municipal elections under state law. In addition, we advise, represent, and defend municipalities and public entities in a wide range of disputes, challenges, and litigation.
Legislative Proposals, Policy Guidance, and Operational Matters
A significant part of our representation of municipalities involves legislative proposals and policy guidance and compliance. On behalf of our municipal clients, we draft and analyze legislative proposals at the state and local levels, and provide advice concerning the potential effects of such proposals and related compliance.
Additionally, we are routinely retained to provide guidance on corporate governance, policy, and operational issues. In this capacity, we assist municipalities through interpreting liability provisions, reviewing contracts and transactions, assisting with legal and regulatory compliance issues, advising on issues regarding the lending of credit or the gift of public funds, helping to ensure compliance with prevailing wage and competitive bidding statutes, and representing clients in insurance, contract, tort, and other disputes.
Our Representation of Municipalities
Pacifica attorneys have represented public entities at all levels and in numerous capacities, including:
- assignment as special assistant attorneys general for the State of Washington,
- serving as special prosecuting attorneys for counties, and
- acting as outside or general counsel for cities, port districts, public utility districts, public development authorities, housing authorities, and other special purpose districts.
We have particular experience with the Interlocal Cooperation Act, interlocal agreements between multiple government agencies, and other methods of intergovernmental cooperation. In addition to successfully negotiating, drafting, and reviewing interlocal agreements, we have assisted clients in forming governmental administrative agencies paired with a public development authority to accomplish public projects and goals.
Practice Team
Nick Brown
Carlos Chavez
Stacey Crawshaw-Lewis
Rebecca J. Garland
Deanna Gregory
Shweta Jayawardhan
Gerry Johnson
Sarah C. Johnson
Jon Jurich
Paul J. Lawrence
Jamie L. Lisagor
Sarah Mack
Zach Pekelis
Faith Pettis
Clare Riva
Matthew J. Segal
Jessica A. Skelton
Kai Smith
Denise Stiffarm
Tobias D. Tobler
