Bio

Ray Liaw serves as a trusted advisor on a wide range of land use and real estate matters to developers, public agencies, utilities, institutional investors, and nonprofits throughout the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys leading teams or providing strategic support at any phase of a project - during siting, due diligence, and acquisition; when securing permits and entitlements; and ensuring compliance with applicable land use approvals and regulations. Ray frequently collaborates with clients on navigating complex issues under SEPA, the Shoreline Management Act, the Growth Management Act, historic preservation laws, and a wide variety of local zoning codes and critical area regulations. When disputes cannot be resolved with regulators and project opponents, Ray provides vigorous representation in local legislative and adjudicative proceedings, state administrative tribunals, and court, including Land Use Petition Act (LUPA) appeals. Ray also regularly advises on compliance with public procurement, the Public Records Act, and the Open Public Meetings Act. She provides guidance to both public agencies and private entities on compliance strategies with Washington's open government laws that concern controversial projects and potential litigation. Ray is a co-coordinator of Van Ness Feldman's Land Use and Real Estate practice.