RICHARD E. MITCHELL

Real Estate, Land Use, Design & Construction, Litigation
(206) 676-7000

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Practice: Richard E. Mitchell’s practice concentrates on real estate, land use, design and construction law, with an emphasis on representing owners and developers in their real estate needs from acquisition and development to occupation and sale.

Experience: Richard is the former General Counsel to Governor Christine Gregorie, where he provided advice to Washington’s Chief Executive Officer and her staff on a wide range of issues. He has handled mediations and arbitrations, and all phases of litigation in real estate, design, construction, and commercial contracts, and advises clients on a wide range of real estate and development needs. His practice includes representing public entities, private owners, corporations, general contractors and design professionals.

Education: Cornell University College of Architecture (B.Arch., 1989, Honors); University of Michigan College of Architecture & Planning (M.U.P., 1992, Merit Fellow); Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., 1995).

Prior Experience: State of Washington, Office of the Governor (General Counsel, 2005-2008); Dorsey & Whitney, LLP (Senior Associate, 1999-2004); Bogle & Gates, PLLC (Associate, 1997-1999); Naramore, Bain, Brady & Johanson (Project/Risk Management,1995-1997).

Representative Engagements:

Real Estate Transactions

• Reviewed and recommended action on the sale or transfer of state realty, as General Counsel to Governor Gregoire, relating to Washington’s Department of Natural Resources (including Land Bank, State Forest and Aquatic Lands), Fish & Wildlife Commission, and Parks & Recreation Commission.

Project Financing

• Reviewed and recommended action, as General Counsel to Governor Gregoire, on bond issuances pertaining to the following state conduit financing entities: Washington Health Care Facilities Authority, Higher Education Facilities Authority, and the Washington State Housing & Finance Commission.

Design & Construction Contract Negotiations

• Represented the Emir of Quatar in the preparation of all consultant, design and construction contracts pertaining to the renovation of realty in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York.
• Represented Architect, Charles T. Young, AIA, in the drafting and negotiation of the architect/owner design agreements for opera houses in Florida and Ohio.
• Represented Seattle Coffee Company, Inc. (aka Seattle’s Best Coffee) in the preparation of standard franchisee design and construction agreements.

Dispute Resolution/Litigation

• Successfully represented First Pacific Companies and its subsidiary Clear Brook Construction in over 10 construction and design related mediations and arbitrations.
• Successfully represented 7-Eleven, Inc., Canned Foods, Inc. and Grocery Outlet, Inc., in several landlord tenant disputes.
• Successfully represented Motel 6 and Accor Economy Lodging, Inc. in development issues including landslide evaluation and remediation.
• Successfully represented contractors and subcontracts, including Butler Construction, Inc., Curtain Wall Design & Consulting Inc., Design Annex, Inc., Intermountain Construction, Inc., against construction defect claims.

Select Professional and Community Activities:
Professional - William M. Dwyer Inn of Court, Member (2007-Present), King County Bar Association, Board of Trustees (2007-2009), International Community Health Services Foundation, Board Member (2007-2009), Syracuse University College of Law Alumni Board, Member (2005-2008), Loren Miller Bar Association, Past President (2006-2007), Zion Preparatory Academy, Board Member (2000-2002).

Teaching - Law Externships Supervisor, Washington State Governor’s Office (2005-2008); Adjunct Professor, Seattle University School of Law, Real Estate & Construction Litigation (2002-2005); Legal Writing and Oral Advocacy Teaching Assistant, Syracuse University College of Law (1994-1995).

Bar Memberships: Hawaii State Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, King County Bar Association, American Bar Association, National Bar Association, and the Loren Miller Bar Association.