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The City Attorney's Office provides legal counsel and representation to Mercer Island City Council, City Manager and City staff. The City Attorney’s Office serves the public interest by providing these clients with affordable, high quality proactive legal advice and representation in order to avoid unnecessary litigation.

The City Attorney’s Office provides legal counsel as well as representation in litigation at all levels of state and federal courts and administrative agencies, covering the areas shown below.

• Contracts
  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 230 City employees (includes seasonal) (180 permanent), 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 Director to develop personnel policies and handle labor relations matters, including civil service and arbitration proceedings.
   
• Land Use
  Handles 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
  Handles the full range of environmental issues, including Shoreline Management Act, water resources, the Endangered Species Act, and long-term policy development.
   
• Municipal Law
  Handles 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. We also handle administrative claims filed against the City.

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