Municipal and Governmental Law

A strength of JDSA since the firm's founding in 1946 has been our firm's representation of numerous cities, counties, special-purpose districts, tribes and other governmental agencies as general and special counsel. Over those six decades, we have developed the substantive knowledge and practical experience to help governmental entities deal effectively with their unique concerns, ensure that their transactions are successful, and look for resolution of claims early on to avoid unnecessary risk, expense and delay.

The scope of our expertise for public entities includes all elements of legal activities, including: litigation, employment law, complex contract drafting and negotiations, hydroelectric licensing and re-licensing, environmental laws and regulations, including endangered species and fish and wildlife concerns, as well as public bidding laws. We regularly assist these clients with:

  • Drafting and applying land use regulations
  • Conducting hearings and handling subsequent litigation and appeals
  • Managing eminent domain, land acquisition, and complex development actions
  • Compliance with public procedural and ethics laws
  • Implementing environmental regulations and managing hazardous waste liability
  • Negotiating, litigating and advising on labor (management) and employment law
  • Preparing bidding documents and negotiating construction contracts
  • Negotiating and drafting interlocal cooperation and development agreements
  • Defending tort actions and other claims
  • Litigation in the areas of land use, construction, real estate, permitting, enforcement and compliance, employment, eminent domain, product liability and public processes.

JDSA has had substantial experience working with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in the fields of licensing, re-licensing, fish and wildlife concerns, recreational problems and land usein regard to Douglas PUD's Wells Hydroelectric Project.

Whenever possible, we focus on preventive law and resolution of conflicts when working with public entities. This approach avoids the significant cost and risk of litigation and is better suited to public responsibilities and accountability.