Municipal government affects all of us as citizens of our cities, counties, and state. From voter-led initiatives to funding for transportation to public housing, these and other needs touch our daily lives, and are issues that our elected and appointed officials are required to address.

For more than 80 years, Foster Pepper has been at the forefront of municipal law, counseling state and local governmental agencies with up-to-the-minute knowledge, complemented by a rich history of local and state politics. Since the 1920s, Foster Pepper has provided thorough and creative approaches to complicated financing for cities and counties — serving as bond, underwriter, and general and special counsel to more than 450 governmental agencies. Our experience in condemnation and eminent domain is unmatched throughout the region, and we have the resources to manage any property acquisition or condemnation proceeding. Foster Pepper has an established presence working on public/private projects, including the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and Sound Transit.

Our attorneys have special expertise in the legal requirements affecting Washington's public hospital districts and we understand that these institutions face a challenging environment, marked by budget reductions and ever-changing government regulations. To help administrators, commissioners and staff members better understand this environment, Foster Pepper drafted portions of the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts' legal manual. We have also long served as general counsel to the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts and have served as special counsel to the Washington State Hospital Association. Our attorneys are experienced in all aspects of the law specific to operating a public hospital district and we routinely advise clients in areas such as public meetings and public records, conflicts of interest, and tax levies and voter approval.

We have also helped companies, ranging from established banks with a national presence to small start-up lenders making loans over the Internet, to comply with federal and local regulations. We have expertise in Federal Regulations A through EE. Plus, we have experience navigating state usury laws and the licensing laws for mortgage brokers, bankers, and consumer loan companies. In addition, we have expertise with the issues unique to electronic transactions made over the Internet.