Overview & Experience

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David’s practice runs the gamut from routine municipal law advice to complex land-use hearings and administrative appeals. His experience includes drafting and updating ordinances and resolutions, negotiating public contracts and franchises, advising cities on development agreements and land-use regulations, assisting in the formation and management of special-purpose districts, and litigating open government (OPMA), public records, and condemnation lawsuits. He has handled multiple administrative appeals before local hearings examiners and state agencies, including the Growth Management Hearings Board and two separate three-day appeal hearings before the Shorelines Hearings Board. Recently, David acted as lead counsel in a multi-million-dollar eminent domain action on behalf of a large city to acquire the property it needed to construct a new fire station. 

 

In total, David has practiced law for over 20 years, representing public and private clients across a broad spectrum of legal issues, ranging from day-to-day transactions to high-stakes litigation and appeals in state and federal courts. David is also recognized for his substantial expertise in the areas of First Amendment and intellectual property law. Prior to co-founding Madrona Law Group, he practiced for several years at a small firm focusing on municipal law. Before shifting his practice exclusively to municipal law, David was a partner in the Seattle office of an international law firm. Beyond his skills as a legal technician, David’s clients value his level-headed demeanor and diplomatic approach to handling the intra-agency tensions that sometimes accompany high-profile matters of public concern.

 

David currently serves as City Attorney for Black Diamond, Town Attorney for Hunts Point and Beaux Arts Village, general counsel to a multi-city consortium, and Interim City Attorney for Snoqualmie. 

 

Education

University of Texas School of Law (Austin), J.D., with honors, 1998

University of Texas (Austin), B.B.A., Finance, with honors, 1993

University of Texas (Austin), B.A., Plan II Honors, with special honors, 1993

 

Admitted to Practice

Washington, 2003

Kansas, 1999 (inactive)

Missouri, 1998 (inactive)

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington

U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri

U.S. District Court, District of Kansas

 

Professional Involvement
Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys
Washington State Bar Association

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