Halverson Northwest provides the region’s broadest and most comprehensive water, environmental and land use practice. We have assisted private and public clients in virtually every aspect of land use planning and environmental compliance. Our attorneys have been leaders in matters of water adjudication and rights as well as resource planning. We understand how the resource components fit in the context of business and real estate planning – from feasibility and land use analysis, to entity formation, financing, permitting and other entitlements.
Most government bodies—federal, state, or local—have their own regulations, procedures, and practices. Our administrative law practice focuses on interactions between the public sector and private sector; including government regulation, legislation, rulemaking, and administrative processes.
We believe understanding of principles of administrative law are critical to effectively representing clients in either the public or private sector.
At Halverson Northwest, our attorneys have extensive experience in administrative matters including:
Our attorneys provide legal services primarily to businesses and individuals caught in the complex web of government rules, regulations, procedures and enforcement pertaining to areas such as environmental protection and regulation, water, land use and taxation (federal, state and local). Our attorneys also advise government in matters of administrative processes and enforcement, hearings and procedures, and municipal agency authority.
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:
Environmental regulations are constantly evolving with increasing impacts on virtually every public and private process. Halverson Northwest has extensive experience in virtually every aspect of environmental regulation affecting all businesses. A sound basis for representation in environmental matters requires not only background and experience in regulatory processes, but also the recognition of the changing nature of regulations, their interpretation and enforcement.
Halverson Northwest has experience in the following:
Our experience and knowledge of ongoing environmental regulations served as a basis for representation on many types of environmental studies, plans, and permits, such as:
Halverson Northwest has provided area businesses and property owners representation regarding environmental compliance and permits. We have successfully assisted clients in obtaining environmental permits for business operations and development plans. The permit application process allows regulatory agencies considerable discretion to place conditions and requirements on applicants. The negotiation and implementation of permit conditions is essential to a successful project.
Halverson Northwest specializes in land use, zoning and permitting. We have extensive experience in virtually every aspect of land use permitting and entitlements. Our attorneys provide a creative and strategic approach in developing the appropriate environmental review and permitting strategy whether the project is a straight-forward short plat or regional wind farm facility. The practice has been diverse with planning, permitting and litigation experience.
We represent owners, developers and interest groups. Our representation has also included special use districts in municipal governments on both quasi-judicial and legislative planning.
Halverson Northwest has experience in the following:
Halverson Northwest also has extensive experience in litigation arising from or related to land use, zoning and permitting processes. Our experience includes:
Administrative appeals to Growth Management Hearings Board (GMHB)
Halverson Northwest has also been an advocate of clients in the legislative planning process. Representation has included matters regarding review and revision of comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances, applications for amendment of comprehensive plans, and active involvement in legislative planning processes.
Halverson Northwest’s multi-disciplinary team of lawyers serves multi-sector clients in all aspects of real estate development including environmental, land use, tax, construction and real estate law. Real estate development is an integrated and complex process. We take pride in our ability to work with local jurisdictions, elected officials, property owners, lenders, agencies, and others to successfully complete the project.
Land Use
Our attorneys are experienced and well regarded in matters of land use planning. We have successfully advised development of commercial and retail shopping centers, industrial parks, master planned developments, institutional (medical) campuses, subdivisions and short plats and binding site plans.
Environmental Law
Real estate development often presents significant environmental issues and requirements. Our attorneys have extensive experience with environmental components of permit applications including State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Shoreline Management Act, Growth Management Act and related legislation. We regularly assist clients in both due diligence and assessment of environmental risks and issues, including matters related to contaminated property, critical areas and wetlands.
Real Estate
Our real estate attorneys provide knowledge and support to the purchase, sale, leasing, financing and development of all properties, including residential, office, industrial, retail, and multi-family properties.
Tax
Real estate development is impacted by both federal and state tax considerations. Our attorneys provide advice on tax implications related to real estate development, choice of entity issues and entity formation, property and sales tax considerations, valuation and related issues.
Halverson Northwest has significant experience and expertise in the representation of irrigation districts, including several of the largest districts in the federal Yakima Basin Project. In addition to representing district interests in water rights adjudicatory and administrative matters, we serve as general counsel for many of these clients, offering strategic guidance in all aspects of governance and operations, including:
Halverson Northwest partners with both private and public sector clients in the acquisition, development and management of water rights. Water users require specialized strategic guidance at a time when water resources have become increasingly scarce and regulatory burdens have multiplied. Among other clients, we represent irrigation districts, canal companies, water user associations, farming and warehouse operations, real estate developers and individuals. Our clients’ success requires both specialized legal expertise and strong working relationships with major water resources stakeholders, including the Washington Department of Ecology, Indian tribes, municipalities and conservation organizations. Our diverse experience includes: