# Municipal law attorneys for Kitsap public agencies > Counsel for cities, counties, ports and special districts in Kitsap, Jefferson and Mason Counties on public records, open meetings, bidding and more. URL: https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/silverdale/municipal-law-lawyer/ Municipal law ## Municipal law attorneys in Silverdale Local counsel for cities, counties, ports and special purpose districts, from attorneys who have worked inside and alongside West Sound 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](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/assets/img/photos/photo-113-1200.jpg) ## 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](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/silverdale/real-estate-lawyer/land-use/) 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. 1. 1Understand the agencyWe learn your governing body, your staff structure and the decisions in front of you. 2. 2Give practical adviceWe explain the legal requirements and the options that fit your agency's resources and goals. 3. 3Support the public processWe help draft the documents, prepare for meetings and hearings, and attend when needed. 4. 4Represent you in disputesIf 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](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/assets/img/photos/photo-103-1200.jpg) Who handles it ## Attorneys who handle municipal law Our municipal team includes former city attorneys and attorneys who have represented cities, counties and ports. - [David P. Horton](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/our-team/david-p-horton/): Managing Partner - [David A. Weibel](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/our-team/david-a-weibel/): Partner - [Bill H. Broughton](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/our-team/bill-h-broughton/): Partner - [Christy Palmer](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/our-team/christy-palmer/): Partner [Meet the full team](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/our-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. Related ## More on municipal law Other practice areas ## A full-service firm [Personal injury Claims for people hurt by someone else's carelessness, from vehicle collisions to unsafe property. Learn more](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/silverdale/personal-injury-lawyer/) [Real estate Property transactions, boundary and easement disputes, construction matters and land use. Learn more](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/silverdale/real-estate-lawyer/) [Estate planning Wills, trusts and probate, so your wishes are clear and your family has a plan. Learn more](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/silverdale/estate-planning-lawyer/) [Business Formation, contracts, transactions and disputes for owners of businesses large and small. Learn more](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/silverdale/business-lawyer/) [Litigation Civil disputes in state and federal courts, handled with careful preparation at every stage. Learn more](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/silverdale/litigation-lawyer/) [Municipal law Counsel to cities, ports and public agencies on public works, compliance and governance. Learn more](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/silverdale/municipal-law-lawyer/) [View all practice areas](https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/practice-areas/) ## Contact - Phone: 360-692-6415 - Address: 3212 NW Byron St, Suite 101, Silverdale, WA 98383 - Request a consultation: https://www.kitsaplawgroup.com/contact/