Robert Sepler Email & Phone Number

Bellevue, Washington, United States

Provide legal advice to the City's Development Services Department on all matters related to land use. Primarily supporting the Department's legislative work.

Seattle, Washington, United States

Co-Teaching a graduate studio (URBDP 589, Net-Zero Development, Winter Quarter 2023) centered on creating a research design to evaluate the feasibility and merit of constructing a, as of now hypothetical, dense, net-zero and environmentally friendly residential development in areas not already characterized by urban growth in Washington State.

Bothell, Washington, United States

• Served as in-house counsel for City of Bothell, a municipal corporation with 370 employees. • Reviewed, drafted, and developed legislation and policies to implement the vision of the City’s policymakers. • Counseled policymakers and staff on navigating the requirements of City, state, and federal law.• Oversaw all aspects of City litigation, including management of outside counsel, legal strategy, and discovery.• Defended City laws and decisions in quasi-judicial proceedings.• Facilitated the construction of capital projects through advice to policymakers and staff regarding bid solicitation, contract award, and contract performance.• Prepared and delivered presentations to the City Council and City Advisory Groups.

Bainbridge Island, Washington, United States

• Served as in-house counsel for City of Bainbridge Island, a municipal corporation with 133 employees. • Advised policymakers on issues relating to all aspects of municipal law, including land and street use issues.• Reviewed, drafted, and developed legislation and policies to implement the vision of the City’s policymakers. • Assisted the City’s Climate Change Advisory Committee and Green Building Task Force in developing ordinances to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental impact of construction.• Counseled policymakers and staff on navigating the requirements of City, state, and federal law, including law related to land and street use.• Oversaw all aspects of City litigation, including management of outside counsel, legal strategy, and discovery.• Defended City laws and decisions in quasi-judicial proceedings.• Advised City policymakers on issues relating to the construction and retention of affordable housing.• Negotiated and completed real estate transactions on behalf of the City.• Facilitated the construction of capital projects through advice to policymakers and staff regarding bid solicitation, contract award, and contract performance.• Led complex contractual negotiations, including ongoing franchise negotiations with regional utility companies and multinational corporations for use of the City’s right-of-way. • Prepared and delivered presentations to the City Council, City Advisory Groups, and community groups.

Provided research and consulting services relating to a multitude of legal issues affecting Washington municipalities, including land use, ethics, governance, public records, open public meetings, labor, elections, and public works. MRSC provides collaborative consultation and immediate access to a vast research and knowledge base for every city and county in Washington State as well as hundreds of special purpose districts throughout the state.

Seattle, Wa

Worked directly with MRSC legal consultants to provide services to municipalities across Washington State.

Seattle, Wa

Supervised a staff of 60 law students trained under the #1 Legal Writing Program in the country (U.S. News & World Report 2015). Seattle University Law Review is ranked among the nation's top 100 law reviews.

Seattle, Wa

Legal Extern with the Land Use Section of the Seattle City Attorney's Office. Assisted in civil litigation involving LUPA Petitions, SEPA, and many sections of the Seattle Municipal Code. Specifically, I drafted trial briefs as well as several motions for summary judgment. Represented the City of Seattle in both municipal and superior court proceedings.

Port Townsend, Wa

Represented the City of Port Townsend in Jefferson County District Court for arraignments and criminal motions relating to drug possession, assault, and domestic violence cases.

Seattle, Wa

Drafted an appellate brief for a criminal case before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Contributed to trial briefs for criminal cases before the District Court for the Western District of Washington. Assisted with client interviews at the Federal Detention Center.

Seattle, Wa

Performed research on issues surrounding alternatives to incarceration including: Drug Courts, Mental Health Courts, and Veteran Treatment Courts

Maleng Regional Justice Center - Kent, Wa

Performed legal research and writing; assignments often had to be completed within hours of the legal problem being identified by staff attorneys and be of court-ready quality. Interviewed diverse clients and identified the client’s legal issues, synthesized the legally relevant facts, and then presented the information to staff and volunteer attorneys.

Seattle, Wa

Recruited and trained a network of volunteer monitors for statewide ballot drop-box locations. Created a reporting system to process potential problems identified by drop-box monitors. Solved problems relating to Washington election law reported to office by diverse Washington voters. Synthesized information received from statewide monitors and reported significant irregularities to Washington State Democratic Party’s legal team on Election Day

Seattle, Wa

Developed a visual monitoring and evaluation process to train users on how to maintain a Seattle NGO’s network of water purification systems in rural Vietnam. Researched and drafted maps and system descriptions necessary to negotiate the funding and transfer of control of the system to the regional Vietnamese government

Doctor Of Law (J.D.), Magna Cum Laude

Managing Editor, Seattle University Law Review (Vol. 38) Treasurer, International Law Society Participant in a variety of mock trial.

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.) And Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Economics And International Studies

Dean's List: 11 consecutive quarters Focus on international trade and development studies Study abroad in Montpellier, France