Environmental & Land Use Litigation
Halverson Northwest has applied its environmental and land use experience in litigation, when necessary. Litigation takes place at all levels of state and federal courts, and before local hearing examiners and state administrative bodies such as the shorelines hearings board, the pollution control hearings board and the growth management hearings board.
Legal representation also has included significant issues involving development exactions and requirements, environmental compliance and processes, zoning and subdivision regulation, regulatory takings, annexation and permit damage claims. Our representation has included the following subject areas:
- Comprehensive Planning and GMA. We have extensive experience in disputes involving comprehensive plans and Growth Management Act (GMA) issues. We have represented public and private sector clients in all aspects of the planning and review process. Litigation has included significant hearings before the growth management hearings board as well as appellate courts.
- Land Use Petition Act. Our attorneys have been involved in literally hundreds of cases filed under the State’s Land Use Petition Act (the statute that sets standards for appeals of local permit decisions). We have litigated land use petitions at all state court levels all the way up to the state supreme court. We have prosecuted and defended LUPA actions in tribunals all over central and southeastern Washington.
- Administrative Processes. Our attorneys have experience in contested proceedings before the pollution control hearings board and the shoreline management hearings board. Litigation has included matters related to the Clean Water Act and Shoreline Management Act. Representation has also included appearances in superior and appellate courts with respect to such administrative processes.
- Eminent Domain and “Takings” Litigation. Our firm has been a leader in representation of property owners in matters of eminent domain, inverse condemnation and “takings” litigation. Government regulation and actions often result in the loss of valuable use and property rights.