City Manager Names New
Kenmore City Attorney

At its October 14th, 2019 meeting, the Kenmore City Council approved an agreement for city attorney services with Inslee Best Doezie & Ryder P.S., and City Manager Rob Karlinsey appointed Dawn Reitan of Inslee Best Doezie & Ryder P.S. as the new City Attorney.

Ms. Reitan has represented cities for over 26 years and has been with Inslee Best since 2000. Ms. Reitan is currently the City Attorney for the cities of Newcastle and Brier (and will continue in these roles) and has served as the Acting City Attorney for the City of Kenmore since Rod Kaseguma’s retirement earlier this year. 

The City has contracted with the law firm of Inslee Best Doezie & Ryder P.S. for municipal legal (i.e. city attorney) services since the mid 2000s.

Mayor David Baker and City Manager Rob Karlinsey presented Dawn Reitan of Inslee Best with a Certificate of Appointment to the position of City Attorney at the City Council's October 14th meeting.

Over the summer the City conducted a Request for Proposals for City Attorney services. The City received proposals from four law firms, including a proposal from Inslee Best Doezie & Ryder P.S.  After a selection process including panel interviews with the City’s management team, Mayor Baker, and Planning Commission Chair Mark Ohrenschall, the City Manager recommended to the City Council that the City continue with Inslee Best Doezie & Ryder P.S.

Ms. Reitan has advised cities on a wide range of municipal issues, including land use and zoning, development agreements, subdivision approvals, growth management, impact fees, building codes, annexations, public works bidding and contracting, appearance of fairness doctrine, conflicts of interest, open public meetings, and public records disclosure. Ms. Reitan is also experienced in drafting ordinances and resolutions on a wide range of city issues, and she has negotiated both large and small development agreements, franchise agreements, and other agreements. She has also represented municipal clients at numerous administrative hearings and defended them in Superior Court and the Court of Appeals.

In addition to Dawn Reitan, Inslee Best will provide access to experienced attorneys in other legal specialties, including personnel, real property, public works bidding and construction, purchasing and procurement, eminent domain, nuisance abatement, and litigation.

“Dawn Reitan is an excellent attorney and a good match for Kenmore,” said City Manager Rob Karlinsey. “We’re thrilled that Inslee Best submitted a proposal, and we’re even happier that Dawn will stay on as our City Attorney.”