Early in his career, Don became a part of legal history when he served as trial and appellate counsel in the famous “snail darter” case (Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill, 437 U.S. 153 [1978]), the first case litigated under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The lawsuit resulted in a successful review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Don grew up in the Midwest. He majored in Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis and went to law school at Northwestern University in Chicago. Don was recognized for his academic work by membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Law Review, Order of the Coif, and a cum laude law degree.

In addition to practicing law in Chicago and the Pacific Northwest, Don has also taught law and served in senior administrative positions at the University of Puget Sound, University of Michigan, and University of Tennessee law schools. Don’s broad career experiences bolster his thoughtful, creative, and diligent approach to helping clients solve their legal problems.

Since joining GTH in 1982, Don’s practice has focused on telecommunications, energy, and other utility law, state and municipal law, and business litigation, including complex litigation. He has served as General Counsel to various public utilities and consortiums of public utilities, primarily in the fields of telecommunications and energy.

Don has devoted a great deal of volunteer time to his community. For over 35 years, he has been actively involved in numerous boards and task forces of the City of Mercer Island, Washington, where he lives. Don was honored as Citizen of the Year in 2000.

Don’s clients know he worries about them and their problems 24-7. They rely on Don as a trusted advisor and passionate advocate who works tirelessly to achieve their objectives.

Has served as General Counsel to public utilities and consortiums of public utilities engaged in telecommunications and energy activities, including rural area broadband projects and renewable energy.

Successfully represented plaintiff in Public Utility District No. 2 of Pacific County v. Comcast, Charter, and CenturyLink, 8 Wn. App. 2d 418 (2019), a complex lawsuit spanning twelve years that upheld the legality of the utility’s rates and contract under which the three companies attach their telecommunications equipment to the utility’s electric poles and resulted in multi-million dollar

judgments in favor of the utility after two trials and multiple appeals.

Successfully represented defendant in trial court and Court of Appeals in Shoulberg v. Public Utility District No. 1 of Jefferson County, 169 Wn. App. 173 (2012), a complex utility property tax class-action lawsuit.

Represented defendant at trial and on appeal in Maleng v. King County Corrections Guild, 150 Wn.2d 325 (2003), which upheld the constitutionality and charter compliance of a voter initiative to reduce the size of the County Council.

Successfully represented the city in the SeaTac Airport “third runway expansion” litigation, 113 Wn. App. 375 (2002), in State of Washington Growth Management Hearings Board proceedings and appeals to Superior Court and Court of Appeals.

Represented public utilities and Board and Council members in Washington Public Power Supply System Securities Litigation, which involved a multi-billion dollar municipal bond default.

Counsel at trial and appellate levels in Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill, 437 U.S. 153 (1978) – the “snail darter” case – seminal litigation under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, resulting in successful review by U.S. Supreme Court.