Orting Municipal Lawyers

Brad Meryhew is a highly respected and dedicated advocate who specializes in defending individuals facing accusations of sexual misconduct in both state and federal criminal courts in Washington. With a proven track record of success in jury trials, negotiations, and case dismissals, Brad has established himself as a prominent trial attorney in this challenging practice area. Moreover, his commitment extends beyond the courtroom, as he has played a pivotal role in driving improvements within the statewide sex offender management system through his advocacy for policy changes spanning fifteen years. Throughout his career, Brad has handled numerous high-profile cases, demonstrating his proficiency...

As a fourth generation Washington lawyer, Hunter developed an early interest in the legal profession. He was drawn to the profession’s challenges and complexities, as well as the sound judgment required of good lawyers. Hunter pursued his interest at the University of Washington School of Law. There he researched and authored reports on modern legal issues for Law School Dean Kellye Testy and served as managing editor of the Washington International Law Journal. Hunter also served as a legal extern to United States District Court Judge Robert J. Bryan. Hunter’s practice areas include business and commercial litigation, municipal liability, insurance...

Geoff founded Seamark Law Group after 14 years at one of Seattle's premier mid-sized law firms. He has successfully tried multiple cases in federal and state courts, and he has represented municipalities at more than a dozen inquests into deaths arising from officer-involved shootings or other law-enforcement activities. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Virginia's School of Law. Prior to attending law school, Geoff was a Navy pilot who managed safety, flight-training, and aircraft-maintenance programs. He is particularly proud of his work defending police officers and also enjoys cases that involve scientific,...

Scott Ellerby is a partner in the firm. His main areas of practice are real estate litigation, probate, trusts and estates litigation, municipal law, creditor-debtor law, commercial transactions and commercial litigation. He has lectured at numerous legal seminars over the past 25 years on topics in his practice areas, and has represented a wide range of private clients and public entities in negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and bench and jury trials. Scott was a contributing author of the Washington Lawyers Practice Manual, and was chair of the King County Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Section. He earned his B.A....

For the past 30 years, she has represented businesses and individuals interfacing with the government; she helps businesses and individuals obtain all types of zoning and land use permits, assists individuals facing government compliance and penalty actions and represents individuals with property disputes about easements, boundaries and adverse possession. She also obtains licenses for all types of business enterprises. Ms. Koler frequently challenges arbitrary requirements associated with government compliance and land use permitting. See Guimont v. Clark, 121 Wn.2d 586 (Washington Supreme Court invalidated state law imposing mobile home relocation fee on developer); Berst v. Snohomish...

Ray Weber has over 20 years experience in civil litigation. His practice concentrates on product liability, construction defect, personal injury, highway design, and insurance coverage. He has successfully defended product manufacturers in cases involving automotive, marine, medical and agricultural products; and local governmental entities in liability cases ranging from catastrophic injuries to public records act claims.

Early in his career, Don became a part of legal history when he served as counsel at the trial and appellate levels in the famous “snail darter” case (Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill, 437 U.S. 153 [1978]), litigated under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The litigation resulted in a successful review by the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to practicing law in Chicago and the Pacific Northwest, Don has also taught law and served in senior administrative positions at the University of Puget Sound, University of Michigan, and University of Tennessee law schools.

Since joining GTH in 1982, Don’s practice...

National stature, practicing in Redmond, WA. One of the nation's premier federal tax litigators. Senior tax-dispute lawyer, practicing federal tax law since 1982. Formerly represented the IRS in court while with the Tax Division of the United States Department of Justice, in DC; formerly a federal prosecutor; formerly a partner with a DC tax boutique and two ultra-large law firms in Chicago. Has litigated perhaps three or four billion dollars worth of federal tax cases; led the successful effort to recover about two billion dollars for the nation's teaching hospitals. Successfully persuaded DOJ...

Bill Lynn has been with GTH since 1979 and his approach has always been characterized by an emphasis on problem-solving. His primary areas of practice include land use and zoning, real estate, environmental law, and municipal law. He has provided land-use representation for large and small residential, commercial, industrial and mixed-use projects throughout the Puget Sound area and is experienced at litigating matters under the State Environmental Policy Act.

About Bob Schroeter
Bob Schroeter has provided management, legal and government relations services to clients in Oregon and Washington State for over 25 years. Bob has experience as an Assistant Attorney General, Municipal Counsel, Corporate Director of Government Affairs, Division Director at a State Agency, CEO and Government Relations professional and County Bar Association President, as well as Presiding officer and director for non-profit organizations.

Bob has handled cases before State Superior, Appellate and Supreme Courts & State and Federal District Courts for two decades, and has worked with legislators at the Federal level, and State Legislative, County...

Nikki is a co-founder of Seamark Law Group. Her civil-litigation practice focuses on municipal law, police liability, and tort defense. She helps effectively and efficiently resolve high-stakes disputes through litigation, mediation, and trial. Nikki graduated from the University of Washington School of Law with high honors. During law school, she served as a managing editor for the Washington Law Review and was selected by the faculty as a teaching assistant for first-year legal writing classes. Nikki worked at a mid-sized firm in Seattle before co-founding Seamark. She currently serves on the Young Professionals Board for Treehouse, a nonprofit organization dedicated...

Gretchen Salazar concentrates her practice on employment law, representing both employers and employees. Her work for employers includes advising clients with regard to compliance; representing clients before administrative agencies; employee relations counseling; and the review and drafting of handbooks and agreements. Gretchen provides employees with advice and counsel with regard to their rights and advocates for the enforcement of those rights through negotiation, mediation, administrative action, and litigation. Gretchen also practices commercial litigation and municipal law.