Municipal law attorneys for Kitsap public agencies

Municipal law

Local government work from attorneys who know the landscape

If you are a governmental entity looking for local representation, Kitsap Law Group offers counsel grounded in years of public sector work. Our attorneys have served as city attorney, assistant city attorney and in-house counsel for a city, and as general counsel to port, utility and transportation districts.

That background means we understand how public agencies actually operate: the council and commission meetings, the public process, the budgets and the scrutiny that comes with spending public money. We bring that understanding to every assignment, whether it is a single question about a records request or ongoing general counsel work.

We serve public entities in Silverdale, Bremerton and throughout Kitsap, Jefferson and Mason Counties.

Open public meetings and public records
Competitive bidding and procurement
Code enforcement and nuisance
Interlocal agreements and local improvement districts
Litigation and risk management

Partner Christy Palmer working at her desk behind a computer monitor

Why local experience matters

Public agencies in the West Sound work with a small circle of neighboring cities, counties, ports and districts, and many of the issues they face are shared. Our attorneys know that landscape. We have sat in the council chambers, worked with agency staff and represented public clients before hearing boards and courts.

That experience helps us give advice that is legally sound and workable for a public agency with real budgets, real deadlines and real public accountability.

What we handle

Municipal matters we handle

Local governance is shaped by a dense set of Washington laws and regulations. These are the areas where we most often help public clients.

Open public meetings

Guidance on meeting notices, executive sessions and the other requirements that apply when a council, commission or board meets.
Public records

Help responding to public records requests and building practices that keep the agency in compliance.
Competitive bidding and procurement

Advice on public works bidding requirements, procurement rules and the contracts that follow.
Code enforcement and nuisance

Support for enforcing local codes and addressing nuisance properties, from the first notice through any court proceedings.
Ordinances and public hearings

Drafting and revising local ordinances and representing the agency at public hearings, council meetings and port commission meetings.
Interlocal agreements

Negotiating and drafting agreements between public agencies that share services, facilities or projects.
Local improvement districts and condemnation

Counsel on local improvement districts and on condemnation when public projects require private property.
Risk management and litigation

Help managing claims and risk, and representation of public entities and their officers in litigation.
Land use and administrative matters

Representation in matters under Washington's Administrative Procedures Act and before the Growth Management Hearings Board.

Our approach

Experience from both sides of the counter

Several of our attorneys have served in public roles. Bill H. Broughton served as City Attorney for Bremerton. David P. Horton held an in-house position with the City of Bremerton. Christy Palmer served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Sumner and spent seven years with the Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office defending the County and its officers in civil tort lawsuits.

David A. Weibel worked for King County's Department of Public Works before law school, and in private practice handled matters on behalf of the City of Port Orchard, the Port of Bremerton, the Washington Refuse and Recycling Association and the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority.

Understand the agency
We learn your governing body, your staff structure and the decisions in front of you.
Give practical advice
We explain the legal requirements and the options that fit your agency's resources and goals.
Support the public process
We help draft the documents, prepare for meetings and hearings, and attend when needed.
Represent you in disputes
If a matter turns into litigation, the same attorneys who know your agency can represent it in court.

Partner David A. Weibel standing in his office with his arms crossed

Who handles it

Attorneys who handle municipal law

Our municipal team includes former city attorneys and attorneys who have represented cities, counties and ports.

Meet the full team

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of public entities do you represent?

Our attorneys have represented cities, counties, ports, housing authorities and utility and transportation districts. We work with public entities in Kitsap, Jefferson and Mason Counties.

Can you serve as general counsel to our district or agency?

Yes. Our partners have served as general counsel to port, utility and transportation districts, and we can provide ongoing general counsel work or help with a single matter.

Do you help with public records requests?

Yes. We advise agencies on responding to public records requests and on practices that support compliance with Washington's Public Records Act.

Can you help us comply with the Open Public Meetings Act?

Yes. We help councils, commissions and boards with meeting notices, executive sessions and the other requirements that apply when a governing body meets.

Do you draft ordinances?

Yes. Our attorneys have assisted with drafting and revising local ordinances and have represented public clients at public hearings, City Council meetings and Port Commission meetings.

Do you handle litigation for public entities?

Yes. Our attorneys have defended public entities and their officers in civil lawsuits and have argued cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts, under Washington's Administrative Procedures Act and before the Growth Management Hearings Board.