Born in Walnut Creek, California, Dianne K. Conway grew up in Mt. Kisco, New York and completed high school in Bellevue, Washington. She then went on to receive a B.A. in Near Eastern Languages and Civilization at the University of Washington, an M.A. in Arab Studies from Georgetown University, and a J.D. at the University of Virginia School of Law. In between, she also worked in Washington, D.C. and lived in Syria and Israel before landing in Tacoma and joining GTH, where she seems to have finally settled down.

Dianne’s practice areas include environmental law, real estate litigation, natural resources law, and land use. Her commitment to these issues also extends to her life outside work. She has co-authored articles about environmental issues and litigation, and she served as a member and officer of the Board of Trustees of the AgForestry Education Foundation from 2007 to 2012. Dianne also served on the Point Defiance Zoo Society’s Board of Directors for 11 years, including as President, and was chair of the 2013 Zoobilee. She recently left the Symphony Tacoma Board of Directors, where she served for 11 years, including as President.

Dianne lives with two lively and intelligent border collies, and she sometimes considers acquiring a small herd of sheep – or fulltime Frisbee thrower – to keep them occupied while she’s working. Dianne’s other interests include travel both near and far, exploring the outdoors, and enjoying great food and wine with friends.

Environmental Law

Successfully defended Cruise Terminals of America against citizen suit claiming it was required to obtain coverage under the Industrial Stormwater General Permit.

Defended SSA Containers in Clean Water Act citizen suit seeking millions of dollars in relief for alleged violations of Industrial Stormwater General Permit.

Successfully defended petroleum-delivery company against $1.5 million MTCA arranger-liability and transporter-liability claim.

Co-counsel for Energy Northwest in successful defense against third-party attack on the re-issuance of its NPDES permit.

Co-counsel for Dow Chemical Company in successful defense against third-party MTCA-liability claim.

Co-counsel for City of Seattle in matters relating to the allocation of tens of millions of dollars in contaminated sediment cleanup around Gas Works Park.

Represented the purchaser of an operating RCRA facility in multi-million dollar transaction.

Defended client in challenge to penalty arising from the accidental spill of petroleum products and obtained a significantly reduced penalty.

Regularly represents clients in broad array of Model Toxics Control Act, Clean Water Act, and other environmental matters.

Real Estate/Land Use

Regularly represents property owners in a broad variety of real estate and land use disputes, including easement disputes, property line disagreements, timber trespass claims, tidelands disputes, and claims relating to the violation of restrictive covenants.

Represents numerous homeowners associations in a broad variety of matters, including enforcement of restrictive covenants and preparation and review of Bylaws and other governing documents.

Co-counsel in pro bono matter for two families defrauded by a landlord who had been engaged in a long-term systematic practice of keeping deposits of potential tenants but not renting to them. Both families lost deposits under $1000. Obtained $105,000 judgment against the landlord as well as an injunction preventing the landlord from engaging in future rental of housing units.

Other

Successfully represented animal-feed manufacturer in product liability/Consumer Protection Act lawsuit brought by ranch owner.

Key member of a team that successfully defended City of Tacoma against $6 billion damages claim brought by the Skokomish Indian Tribe.