Image for Darrell S. Mitsunaga
Partner
Darrell S. Mitsunaga
425.213.6430
Areas of Practice
About Darrell

Darrell joins GTH having been a founding partner of Johns Monroe Mitsunaga Koloušková PLLC, a law firm in Bellevue, Washington, which focused on real estate, land use, and construction for nearly 25 years. With over 40 years of experience, he represents a wide array of clients — including developers, contractors, and landowners – in real estate development, land use permitting, construction contracts, eminent domain, and related litigation. A skilled litigator and negotiator, Darrell has handled numerous trials, including jury trial, arbitrations, and mediations.

Outside the office, Darrell is active in civic life. He served for ten years as a trustee for the Lake Washington of Technology and has the honor of being appointed Trustee Emeritus, serves on the LWTech Foundation Board, and is actively involved with the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. Darrell enjoys hiking, fishing, and skiing and spending time and traveling with his family.

Representative Matters

Land Use and Real Estate

Darrell represents a variety of private clients in real estate development, associated environmental review, and related litigation. He has substantial experience in real estate transactional documentation, contract review, leasing, and related advice. He also has considerable experience in the administrative public process appearing before local and state agencies in obtaining permits and approvals necessary for land development and construction projects. This has included consultation in the preparation of permit applications, negotiation with agencies, and representation at public hearings before hearing examiners, city and county councils, and other public agencies. He has further litigated numerous judicial challenges to land use approvals appearing before the trial and appellate courts of the State of Washington.

Construction Law

Darrell represents owners, developers, and public agencies in the construction industry. He handles contract preparation, negotiation, and administration; public bidding claims; lien resolution, foreclosure and defense; impact, delay, and other contractual disputes; and related construction litigation.

Public Agency Law

Darrell represents public agencies in contract preparation, negotiation, and administration of construction projects, including preparation of AIA contract documents and bid forms. In addition, he has advised these public agencies regarding bid protest analysis and defense; risk exposure analysis; construction change directive/change order delay, impact, and other related claims. This representation includes litigation, arbitration, and mediation related to construction defect claims; lien claims; and related disputes arising out of a number of construction projects.

Commercial Litigation

Darrell has substantial jury and non-jury trial experience in the trial courts of the State of Washington and has argued cases before the Washington State Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. He has also represented clients in numerous mediations and arbitrations. He has substantial experience handling complex and multi-party litigation in a responsive, creative, and cost-effective manner.

Darrell has represented a variety of business and individual clients in commercial and real estate-related litigation/trials involving purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, easements, boundary line disputes, development agreements, real property claims, construction claims, owner/contractor claims, contract disputes, and architectural and engineering design.

Professional History
Education
  • J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 1982
  • B.S., Political Science, University of Utah, 1979, cum laude
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
  • Washington State Courts
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
  • Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • United States Court of Federal Claims
Background
  • Law Clerk, Honorable Keith M. Callow, Washington State Court of Appeals–Division I, 1982-1984
  • Reed McClure, Associate (1984-1990), Partner (1990- 2000)
  • Johns Monroe Mitsunaga Koloušková PLLC, Co-founder (2000-2025)
  • Gordon Thomas Honeywell, LLP, Partner (2025-Current)
  • Martindale Hubbell rating – AV
Professional Organizations
  • Asian Bar Association of Washington
  • King County Bar Association
  • Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
  • Washington State Bar Association
Civic Activities
  • Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Board of Trustees: 2010-2020
    • Board Chair: 2018-2019
    • Board Vice-Chair: 2017-2018
    • Board Chair: 2013-2014
    • Board Vice-Chair: 2012-2013
    • Trustee Emeritus: 2025

More Attorneys