Ryan’s practice focuses on environmental and land use law, with an emphasis on land development and permitting. Ryan was raised in a political family, an experience that gave her a valuable understanding of both the substance of the law and the political framework within which decisions are made. Our state's permit system can be a complex maze for many clients, no matter how sophisticated. Ryan applies her expertise to develop and execute strategies to successfully assist clients in reaching their goals.
Representative Matters
Governmental Representation
State Convention Center. Land use counsel for the construction of the state convention center over I-5 in Seattle and the subsequent convention center expansion project, which included an exhibit hall, an office building, the Elliott Hotel and public atrium beneath a glass canopy arching over Pike Street. The projects involved City departmental approvals, Hearing Examiner hearings, City Council approvals, street vacations, conditional uses, rezoning, and transferable development rights (TDRs) agreements.
University of Washington. Land use counsel to the University of Washington in the development of its downtown Metropolitan Tract and in the development of its master plans (1990-2000, 2001-2010), which approved an unprecedented building program for new science and bio-tech facilities on its main campus. Represented the University of Washington in initial negotiations of a 2000 Memorandum of Agreement with Sound Transit, specifying the terms for light rail facilities on campus.
Federal Reserve. Represented the Federal Reserve Bank in connection with new facilities in Renton, Washington.
Counties. Defended Snohomish County and Pierce County in connection with Growth Management Act comprehensive planning matters.
State, Local and Regional Public Works and Planning Matters Representation
Represent clients affected by state, local and regional public works projects and land use planning efforts, including clients affected by Sound Transit, WSDOT projects, subarea or comprehensive plans underway in cities throughout the Puget Sound region, including Seattle, Bellevue, Tukwila and Redmond.
Project Development and Real Estate Strategy Representation
Office Uses:
Permitted the redevelopment of Seattle's Union Station for over one million square feet of office space including rezone, SEPA review, street vacations, code amendments and easements
Represented Nitze-Stagen in connection with remodel projects at SODO Center to accommodate Starbucks world headquarters.
Represented Daniels Development in connection with preservation of the First United Methodist Church and the Fifth and Columbia high-rise office building in Seattle, including SEPA, code amendments, subterranean street vacation, floor area bonuses and historic preservation bonuses.
Retail Uses:
Permitted the Pacific Place retail complex in downtown Seattle and advised the developer on the issues pertaining to the redevelopment of three square blocks in downtown Seattle for retail, office, telecommunications and housing uses.
Represented Transwestern Harvest Partners in connection with the Landing retail center in Renton, Washington. This project involved planned action review under SEPA.
Represent Sears in connection with the East Link Light Rail route through the Overlake area of Redmond, Washington. Also represent Sears in connection with the proposed Tukwila Urban Center Plan.
Medical Uses:
Represent The Polyclinic in connection with new medical facilities on First Hill in Seattle, including entitlements, code amendments and public outreach efforts.
Represent Valencia Capital Management in connection with various medical office building projects in Seattle.
Historic Uses:
Represent property owners in matters pertaining to landmark regulations and transfer of development rights.
Residential and Mixed Uses:
Represent Daniels Development in connection with development approvals for the North Lot project, creating office and residential development on the site of the old Kingdome parking lot.
Represented Triad Development in connection with various projects, including the Civic Square project on the old Public Safety Building site. The project involves a public and private partnership, housing, office, retail, plazas and transit station connections.
Represent Security Properties in connection with multi-family developments in Seattle and other King County sites.
Natural Resource Uses:
Represented the state's largest sand and gravel operator in permitting a new mineral extraction and shipping facility in DuPont, Washington. The project involved shoreline rezoning, SEPA, NEPA, state and federal permits for a new dock facility, and negotiation of a successful settlement with numerous environmental organizations.
Manufacturing and Warehouse Uses:
Represented Coca-Cola in connection with land use matters affecting its facility in Bellevue, Washington.
Represented Tarragon in development of warehouse facilities in southwest Washington.
Professional and Civic Involvement
State of Washington; Land Use Study Commission, Chair 1995 to 1998
Washington State Bar Association, Environmental and Land Use Law Section, Chair 1994-1995
Seattle Preparatory School (9-12) Board of Trustees, 2005-2010 (Past Chair)
Villa Academy (K-8) Board of Trustees, 1998-2001 (Past Chair)
Washington State University Foundation, Board of Trustees
Appointed by Governors Locke and Lowry to chair Washington State's Land Use Study Commission, 1995-1998.
Recognized for over ten years as a “Super Lawyer” by Washington Law & Politics and Thomson Reuters' Washington Super Lawyers, most recently in 2012. One of the "Top 50 Women" vote getters in the 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 surveys, as well as a "Top 100" vote getter in 2011 for Washington attorneys overall.
Repeatedly listed in the Best Lawyers in America Real Estate Law (Land Use) category, most recently in 2012.
Repeatedly ranked by Chambers USA as a Leading Individual for Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, most recently in 2012.
Featured in cover article in the August/September 2001 edition of Washington Law & Politics with sister, Jenny Durkan.
Profiled in the King County Bar Association's October 2009 edition of the Bar Bulletin, in "Land Use Suits Her to a 'T'," by George Kresovich
Articles and Presentations
For over 25 years, Ryan has been a speaker on many topics including shoreline regulation and permitting, zoning regulation and permitting, NEPA and SEPA matters, the Growth Management Act and related topics.
Education
J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 1981.
Order of the Coif
Editorial Board, Washington Law Review
Extern to The Honorable Eugene Wright, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
B.A., Washington State University, magna cum laude, 1978.
Phi Beta Kappa
Bar/Court Admissions
Washington State Courts
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Federal Bar Association of Western Washington
Personal
Ryan likes to spend her leisure time with her family. They enjoy golfing, boating, and traveling. Ryan and her husband are both active members of non-profit boards.
