Michael P. Monroe
Founding Partner (Retired)
Practice
Mr. Monroe is a founding partner of Johns Monroe Mitsunaga Koloušková PLLC, a law firm in Bellevue, Washington. He concentrates his practice in matters involving land use and municipal law, real estate transactions and condemnation. He has over 32 years of experience in administrative law and trial practice in state and federal courts throughout the State of Washington.
Land Use
Mr. Monroe counsels and represents both private clients and public entities in real estate development, environmental matters, and related administrative hearings and civil litigation. He has substantial experience assisting clients with preparing and processing permits for a wide variety of residential, commercial, and office-related construction projects. His practice includes representing clients and their projects in the administrative hearing processes, and litigating judicial challenges to administrative decisions whenever that becomes necessary and advisable.
Real Estate
Mr. Monroe has substantial experience in preparing real estate transactional documents, including purchase and sale documents, easements, licenses, restrictive covenants, leases, and the formation documents for homeowners associations. His practice also includes assisting clients in negotiating the terms related to real estate matters.
Eminent Domain
Mr. Monroe was the City of Seattle’s primary condemnation attorney from 1983 to 1989, and was involved in numerous public acquisition projects. He continues to represent both private property owners and public agencies in eminent domain actions as well as inverse condemnation matters.
School Districts
Mr. Monroe’s practice includes assisting and representing certain school districts, such as the Northshore School District, in both real estate transactional matters and land use-related needs concerning their construction projects. His experience also includes preparing legislation, advising superintendents and senior staff, and assisting school boards in ways to achieve their desired goals cost-effectively.
Background
Mr. Monroe was a member and shareholder for 11 years with the Reed McClure firm, a major law firm in downtown Seattle, Washington. Before joining Reed McClure, he was an Assistant City Attorney in the Seattle City Attorney’s Office for 10 years, where he represented numerous Seattle agencies in land use and environmental law, both as an advisor on significant public projects and in litigation.
A former weekend sports participant, he is currently an avid golfer and a passable bridge player.
Education
University of Puget Sound School of Law, J.D., 1978
Pomona College, B.A. (double major in Philosophy and in History), 1975
Professional Organizations
Mr. Monroe is admitted to practice in the State of Washington and the United States District Court, Western Division of Washington.
The King County Bar Association
The Washington State Bar Association
Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys
Civic Activities
Mr. Monroe has been a guest lecturer for the Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys, a guest teacher for the International Right-of-Way Association concerning real estate valuation issues, and a lecturer on land use and property valuation issues.