Overview & Experience
Rachel has spent her legal career practicing municipal law, first as a city prosecutor and then as a civil city attorney and general legal counsel for a number of public entities. Rachel handles a wide array of municipal issues including open government and public records, eminent domain, public procurement and contracting, land use, legislation and policy drafting, and general advice and litigation. Rachel is particularly fond of labor and employment matters, such as providing advice and training to human resources professionals, handling responses to EEOC complaints, and conducting employment investigations. She also regularly represents employers in collective bargaining, including interest and grievance arbitration and mediation.
In 2018, Rachel represented the City of Tukwila in eminent domain proceedings to acquire 13 separate properties to facilitate the construction of a new Public Works shop and a new Justice Center to house the City’s municipal court, police station, and emergency operations center. Although these matters resulted in significant publicity as the result of displacing several small business tenants, the City, led by Rachel, successfully negotiated agreements with all tenants and property owners.
Prior to co-founding Madrona Law Group, Rachel spent 10 years at a boutique municipal law firm, where she represented public agencies of all sizes, from the firm’s largest client to its smallest.
Rachel prides herself on providing her clients with sound, timely, and down to earth legal advice and service. In her free time, Rachel volunteers and fosters for several animal rescues.
Rachel is currently the City Attorney for Issaquah.
Education
University of Washington, M.L.I.S., 2009
Seattle University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2007
University of Washington, B.A., cum laude, 2004
Admitted to Practice
Washington, 2008
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 2013
Professional Involvement
Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys
Washington State Bar Association
Washington Association of Public Records Officers