City Attorney's Office

The City Attorney's Office provides legal counsel and representation to Mercer Island City Council, City Manager, City staff, and City Boards and Commissions and serves the public interest by providing the City with affordable, high quality, and proactive legal representation.

The City Attorney’s Office represents the City in its day-to-day operations and represents the City in litigation at all levels of state and federal courts and administrative agencies.  Below is an overview of legal services provided by the legal department:

Contracts

The City Attorney's Office handles legal services at all stages of contract formulation, implementation and enforcement, including negotiation, drafting, administration and litigation. We develop and maintain standardized City contracts as well as participating as counsel in real estate transactions.

Employment

With approximately 250 City employees, including many union members, the personnel and labor issues facing the City are complex and diverse. The City Attorney’s Office works with the Human Resources to develop personnel policies and handle labor relations matters, including civil service and arbitration proceedings.

Land Use

The City Attorney's Office provides counsel on zoning, planning, growth management, code enforcement, the State Environmental Policy Act, and acquisition of public property for open space, parks, and other public facilities.

Environmental Protection

The City Attorney's Office handles a full range of environmental issues, including Shoreline Management Act, water resources, the Endangered Species Act, and long-term policy development.

Municipal Law

The City Attorney's Office provides legal advice on diverse areas of local government law such as municipal finance and budgeting, taxation, legislation drafting, public records disclosure, Open Public Meetings Act and inter/intra-governmental relations.

Torts/Claims

Primarily engaged in litigation, defending the City in personal injury and property damage cases. The City Attorney's Office also handles administrative claims filed against the City.