Overview
Steve's practice focuses on litigation involving state and local governments; civil service and public employment; and, land use and environmental law.
Steve's particular experience includes representation of jurisdictions on eminent domain, utilities (water, wastewater, storm water, solid waste systems), local improvement districts, facility siting and contractor litigation.
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association, State and Local Government Law and Employment Law Sections, Member
- Foster Garvey, Opportunity & Progress Council, Member, 2020-present
- International Municipal Lawyers Association, Member
- King County Bar Association, Trustee, 1986-1989
- King County Bar Foundation, Trustee, 2018-present
- Municipal League, Board of Trustees, 2010-2013
- South King County Bar Association, Trustee, 1986-1988
- South King County Legal Clinic
- Founder and Attorney Coordinator, 1985-1986
- Volunteer, 1978-1989
- University of Washington
- Evans Graduate School of Public Affairs, Lecturer
- Washington State Bar Association
- Environmental and Land Use Law and Administrative Law Sections, Member
- Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys, Member
Experience
Experience
137 Wn.2d 44 (1998) (Successful defense of Seattle Seahawk stadium project and legislative referendum)
132 Wn. App. 188, 149 P.3d 379 (2006), rev. denied, 158 Wn. 2d 1023 (successful prosecution of quiet title action for rail right of way)
156 Wn.2d 403 (2006) (successful defense of Sound Transit eminent domain action)
145 Wn. App. 869, 188 P.3d 533 (2008); 170 Wn.2d 1, 239 P.3d 589 (2010) (successful defense of water fluoridation program)
155 Wn.2d 612 (2005) (successful defense of municipal condemnation authority)
Peter Goldmark, 174 Wn. App 793, 301 P.3d 472 (2013); 182 Wn.2d 519; 342 P.3d 308 (2015) (successful prosecution of utility corridor acquisition)
127 Wn.2d 820 (1995) (amicus for Washington Public Ports Association in defense of protected public records
122 Wn.2d 619 (1993) (Defense of comprehensive plan and environmental impact statement for regional landfill)
125 Wn. App. 794 (2005) (successful defense of county solid waste management authority)
119 Wn. App. (2004) rev. denied 152 Wn.2d 1015 (2004) (successful defense of city trail project)
115 Wn.2d 74 (1990) (Defense of multi-million dollar government contract procurement)
Supreme Court, 150 Wn.2d 791 (2004) (Court reconsiders and unanimously reverses earlier ruling; affirms city annexation authority)
144 Wn.2d 774 (2001) (amicus for Fire Commissioners Association regarding public duty doctrine)
93 Wn.2d 861, 613 P.2d 1158 (1980) (upholding crime victims’ rights to recovery of stolen property)
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
Past Appearances
Legal Alerts
Publications
Services
- Public Finance & Municipal Government
- Appellate
- Construction
- Election and Political Law, Public Policy & Lobbying
- Eminent Domain & Inverse Condemnation
- Environment & Natural Resources
- Environmental Litigation
- Government Contracts
- Labor & Employment Litigation
- Labor, Employment & Immigration
- Land Use, Planning & Zoning
- Ports
- Public Records & Open Government
- Real Estate
- Real Estate, Land Use & Environmental
- School Districts
- Sports, Arts & Entertainment
- Transportation & Logistics
Admissions
- Washington, 1976
- U.S. District Court, Eastern Division of Washington, 1993
- U.S. District Court, Western Division of Washington, 1976
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, 1980
- U.S. Supreme Court, State of Washington, 1976
Education
- J.D., Seattle University, 1976
- B.A., University of Washington, 1973
- Oval Club Scholastic Honorary
Honors & Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America© Appellate Practice, 2012-present
- Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year,” Appellate Practice, 2023
- Ernest H. Campbell Award for Excellence in the Practice of Municipal Law (WSAMA Lifetime Achievement Award), 2019
- Best in the Business: Leading Lawyers in the Puget Sound Region, Seattle Business magazine, Appellate Practice, 2013
- Washington Super Lawyers list, 2002-present
- 2010 Top Lawyer, Seattle Metropolitan magazine
- Martindale-Hubbell AV rating