Partner
Heather’s practice focuses on representing real estate developers in all phases of real estate acquisition, development, and permitting. Heather has worked on projects across the state, including a variety of significant residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Southwest Washington. Heather uses her experience and well-established working relationships with local government officials to help clients evaluate properties and develop successful projects in Washington’s complex land use regulatory environment, litigating to defend and obtain permits when necessary. Heather regularly works with a range of land use and environmental laws, including the State Environmental Policy Act, the Growth Management Act, the Shoreline Management Act, and the federal Endangered Species Act.
Outside of land use, Heather practices municipal law, with a focus on Port Districts, and currently serves as contract General Counsel to the Port of Tacoma. She is also an experienced civil real estate litigator. Heather is a frequent speaker on Washington land use regulation at continuing legal education programs and industry seminars.
Heather founded Phillips Burgess PLLC in Olympia 2011 with long-time Olympia attorney Richard “Mick” Phillips. Prior to forming her own firm, Heather was a partner at Eisenhower Carlson PLLC in Tacoma and an associate at Perkins Coie LLP’s Seattle and Olympia offices. Before entering private practice, Heather served for 13 years on active duty with the United States Army, six as a Judge Advocate. Heather continued to serve as a Judge Advocate in the Washington Army National Guard until her retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2016.
Education:
Judge Advocate General’s School, L.L.M, 2001, Commandant’s List 2001
,
University of Washington School of Law, J.D., Order of the Coif 1998
,
Harvard University, B.A. cum laude 1991
Certifications:
Thurston County Bar Association
,
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
Services:
Land Use
,
Environmental
,
Real Estate
,
Litigation
,
Municipal
