Josh Brower

Law Practice

Josh Brower practices in the areas of land use, development and real estate, with an emphasis on complex project permitting, appeals and litigation. He represents developers of wind farms and other renewable energy projects, developers of multi-family and commercial projects, business owners and organizations. Josh works with clients to obtain land use approvals, conduct environmental review, negotiate purchase and sale agreements, perform due diligence, and address permitting and legislative issues involving zoning, platting, shoreline compliance and growth management. Josh is also an experienced land use and real estate trial lawyer, having successfully represented clients in superior court actions and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Prior to attending law school, Josh worked as an environmental planner and consultant.  Since 2004, Josh has been recognized as a “Super Lawyer” by Washington Law & Politics magazine.

Representative Clients

enXco and Desert Claim Wind Power LLC
Fred Meyer Stores
Wells Development Company
Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel
Miller Land & Timber LLC
Jo-Ann Stores, Inc.
Top Pot
Public Utility District No. 1 of Thurston County

Professional Activities

Member, Washington State Bar Association, Environmental and Land Use Law Section; Member, Association of Washington Business Land Use Committee; Faculty, “Boundary Disputes: Resolving Client Conflicts,” National Business Institute (2007), Co-chair, “Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Restoration Requirements in Environmental and Land Use Laws,” WSBA Environmental and Land Use Law Section CLE (2004); Faculty, WSBA Environmental and Land Use Law Section Mid-year Meeting (2003); Author, “State and Local Permitting Issues for Green Power: The Complexities Involved in Farming the Wind – a Developer’s Perspective,” WSBA Environmental and Land Use Law Section Newsletter (2003); Speaker, “The Paralegal’s Role in the Real Estate Transaction in Washington,” Institute for Paralegal Education (1999).

Prior Experience

Associate, Stoel Rives LLP, Seattle, Washington (1999-2004); Associate, Preg O’Donnell Sargeant & Gillett PLLC, Seattle, Washington (1996-99); Associate, Law Offices of James C. Middlebrooks, Seattle, Washington (1995-96); Legal Intern, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, Seattle, Washington (1993-95); Research Assistant, Professor Richard Settle, Seattle University School of Law (1993-95); Legal Extern, Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, Seattle, Washington (1994); Project Manager/Environmental Planner, Shapiro and Associates and Parametrix, Seattle, Washington (1990-92); Assistant/Staff Member, Agency of Natural Resources/Governor’s Growth Management Commission, Montpelier, Vermont (1987).

Education

J.D., cum laude, Seattle University School of Law, 1995.
B.A., Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts, 1988.

Admissions

Washington State Supreme Court
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Community Activities

Commissioner, Seattle Planning Commission (2008-present); Trustee of the Year (2008), Washington Association of Housing Services for the Aging (WAHSA); Participant, Leadership Tomorrow, Seattle, Washington (2003); Member, Selection Committee, Leadership Tomorrow, Seattle, Washington (2004-present); President, ElderHealth Northwest Board of Directors (2004-present); Board Member, ElderHealth Northwest Board of Directors (1999-present); Coach, Beacon Hill Youth Soccer (2004-present).