Email: kww@williamspsc.com

Phone: (425) 486-8138

Practice Interests

Municipal Work—Mr. Williams' practice has primarily focused on the general representation of special purpose districts and as special counsel in eminent domain matters. He has extensive experience in representing boards and commissions on matters involving real estate acquisitions, public works projects, taxation, impact fees, and financing issues. Additionally, Mr. Williams advises municipal clients regarding the state’s Open Public Meeting Act, Open Public Records Act, Tort Claims Act, as well as labor and employment matters. He is also often called upon to act as a negotiator and facilitator in negotiations between municipalities and or citizen groups or citizens.

Eminent Domain—On behalf of both public and private clients Mr. Williams has both defended and prosecuted eminent domain actions related to a wide variety of public works projects and has participated in a national conference on eminent domain, sponsored by the American Bar Association. His work on projects has required that he coordinate with federal, state, and local authorities on a host of issues ranging from hazardous materials mitigation to the definitions of wetlands. While these issues generally have a common thread, they become unique depending upon the use and potential uses of the property and location. This area of practice has also required Mr. Williams to gain a certain degree of expertise in the valuation of property and its various components, such as parking stalls, circulation patterns, water retention, and grade change—together with land use and development patterns. Knowledge of the impact and effect of various forms of easements are also required.

General Trial Practice—While Mr. Williams' emphasis has continued to focus on eminent domain and real estate litigation, his experience of having tried a variety of cases and his knowledge of the rules of evidence provides his clients with the “value added service” of having the technical skills combined with a creative approach to representation before juries, gained from the variety of issues he has litigated.

Accomplishments & Results

General Trial Practice

Mr. Williams has successfully tried numerous jury and bench trials.

Since entering practice in 1986 Mr. Williams has had the opportunity to litigate a wide variety of cases beginning as a criminal prosecutor for Pierce County Washington through today with his practice focusing on real estate matters.  In addition to the numerous real estate and condemnation cases, Mr. Williams has also tried contract, discrimination and wrongful discharge suits.

Administrative Practice

Mr. Williams also represents his municipal clients in administrative hearings on land use, local improvement district and employment matters. Mr. Williams also served as Chair of the Local Government Committee of the Washington State Bar Administrative Law Section.

Negotiations

Mr. Williams has successfully negotiated fire and emergency medical service agreement between the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and King County Fire Protection Districts Nos. 44 and 46.  This required knowledge of State and Federal law, coordination with different division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Muckleshoot legal counsel and three separate municipal boards.  Also required awareness of political considerations in a highly charged political environment, overlaid on unique cultural differences.

Mr. Williams also negotiated fire and emergency medical service mitigation packet on behalf of fire district with Northridge and Blakelyridge UPDs outside of Redmond, Washington requiring developer to build and equip a Fire Station serving the plan development.

Elected Position

Northshore Utility District, North King County, Washington
Commissioner, 1993 to present

Certifications

National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Graduate, June 2001

SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS

LEOFF II Disability Supplement Procedural Manual, Copyright 1989.

Hand in Hand, Mano en Mano, with the Peace Corps Latin American Caribbean Region, Government Printing Office, (1981).

SIGNIFICANT SEMINARS

Speaker, Washington Association of Sewer & Water Districts, Topic:  City District Relationships, Spring 2002

Speaker, Administrative Hearings: What Judges Really Want to Hear, WSBA November 1998.

Speaker and Program Chair, Advising and Defending Public Officials, Washington State Bar Association, December 1996

Speaker, Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs’ Conference, 1989.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Master of Ceremonies for Kenmore Good Ol’ Days Parade, 1998 to present

Kenmore Governance Strategies Committee

Lakepointe Advisory Committee

Probono Legal Counsel—Kenmore Incorporation Committee

Siting Advisory Committee, North Treatment Facility, King County Metro

Former Board Member, Northshore Chamber of Commerce

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

United States District Court for the Western District of Washington

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington

Washington State Bar Association, admitted October 1986, Litigation, Real Property, Past Chair, Local Government Committee, Administrative Law Section)

American Bar Association

Washington State Trial Lawyers Association

King County Bar Association

EDUCATION

University of Oregon School of Law, Eugene, OR
Juris Doctorate, 1986

Activities & Honors—National Moot Court Team 1986

University of Washington,  Seattle, WA 
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 1982

PERSONAL INTERESTS