Governmental Services

OVERVIEW

We are in the business of helping people build and manage cities. Throughout the Pacific Northwest, our attorneys represent clients in a wide range of government matters with an emphasis on land use, construction, environmental, employment, and real estate. Our government agency clients include cities, counties, special districts, school districts, port districts, and public transit districts. Because of our extensive experience in local government, we also represent private businesses in their interactions with government agencies.

As communities experience growth, our governmental services team is active in all phases of this process, from advising clients on community development and urban renewal to infrastructure financing or litigating as far as the U.S. Supreme Court. Our long-standing reputation and high level of expertise in providing governmental services to public and private clients has earned our firm and our attorneys recognition as one of the top law firms in the Pacific Northwest.

FOCUS AREAS

• Governmental Relations

  At Jordan Ramis, we provide local, regional, state, and federal governmental relations services for our public and private sector clients. We believe that effective government relations begins with in-depth analysis and ends with a carefully executed advocacy plan. We begin this process by identifying our clients’ opportunities for success and help them build a strategic messaging platform to educate government officials on why the issues matter. We strive to identify ways that our clients’ objectives are aligned with broader public policy objectives that serve the greater good. Some issues can be resolved with a phone call, while others require in-person meetings, coalition building, and other forms of advocacy. Our services include:

  • Coalition building and organizing
  • Government relations and lobbying
  • Legislative drafting
  • Real estate and project development
  • Responding to government requests for information
  • Strategic messaging
  • Transportation policy development
  • Witness preparation and testimony
• Lobbying

  When direct advocacy with government decision makers and staff is required, Jordan Ramis provides lobbying services to help create positive outcomes for governmental and private clients. Our attorneys help shape government policies through direct communications with local, state, and federal officials to provide them the information they need to create effective, beneficial policies. We help clients communicate directly with policymakers as well as identify potential allies and build successful coalitions. With decades of experience working for, with, and as government officials, Jordan Ramis attorneys are well positioned to help clients shape government actions that affect their businesses.

• Municipal

  Jordan Ramis has one of the largest municipal practices in the region. Our reputation and expertise in municipal law comes from our 30+ years of direct involvement working with municipalities, urban renewal districts, special districts, and other public entities to fulfill the legal issues and needs of local government. Whether we are serving as city attorney and general counsel or stepping in to assist with specific issues such as legislative drafting, litigation, or a government construction project, our municipal team is routinely called upon to provide timely and consistent legal support.

  We regularly advise our clients on financing for construction and operational requirements for water, sewer, park, drainage, and street facilities. We are also experienced at coordinating with bond counsel to keep issuance cost down. One of our specialties is representing cities with urban renewal districts in all aspects of tax increment financing, land acquisitions, and development agreements. And, we are engaged regularly in advising staff and elected leadership on the many facets of community development. Our services include:

  • Annexations
  • Budget law
  • Construction law
  • Elections law
  • Employment law and counseling
  • Ethics rules interpretation and training
  • Formation and consolidation of special districts
  • Government relations and legislation
  • Incorporation of cities
  • Infrastructure financing and public finance
  • Intergovernmental agreements and functional consolidations
  • Land use regulation and litigation
  • Litigation
  • Municipal court prosecutions
  • Public contracts and agreements
  • Public/private partnerships
  • Public records and meetings law
  • Real estate transactions
  • Staff and council support
  • Urban Renewal Agency/District administration

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OUR TEAM

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