Kenmore city manager names new city attorney

Dawn Reitan has represented cities for more than 26 years.

At its Oct. 14 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 the firm as the new city attorney.

Reitan has represented cities for more than 26 years and has been with Inslee Best since 2000. She 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 Reitan’s firm for municipal legal services since the mid-2000s.

Over the summer Kenmore conducted a request for proposals for city attorney services. The city received proposals from four law firms, including a proposal from Inslee Best. After a selection process, including panel interviews with the city’s management team, Mayor David Baker and planning commission chair Mark Ohrenschall, the city manager recommended to council that the city continue with Inslee Best.

According to a press release, Reitan has advised cities on a wide range of municipal issues, including land use and zoning, development agreements, annexations, public works bidding and contracting, conflicts of interest and public records disclosure. 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 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 in the release. “We’re thrilled that Inslee Best submitted a proposal, and we’re even happier that Dawn will stay on as our city attorney.”