Since joining GTH in 1991, Margaret Archer has represented private businesses, real estate developers and individuals on a broad range of land use, real estate and commercial issues. She provides her clients with strategic counsel and assistance at all stages of real estate development and in the related permitting processes, with an emphasis on efficient and creative problem solving.  But Margaret has also successfully litigated many land use, real estate and commercial cases in Washington’s trial and appellate courts, as well as before Washington’s Growth Management Hearings Board and Shoreline Hearings Board.  Thus, if issues cannot be resolved by agreement, Margaret’s extensive litigation experience enables her to effectively represent her clients in both court and administrative proceedings.

Before earning her law degree, magna cum laude, from Gonzaga University School and joining GTH, Margaret Archer was a financial analyst for Westinghouse Hanford Company. She puts her business acumen and insight to good use in her practice areas of land use, real estate litigation and commercial litigation, and also as Chair of the GTH Board of Directors

Litigation of real estate and land use disputes in State courts, including the Courts of Appeals

Litigation of Land Use Petition Act appeals

Litigation of comprehensive plan appeals before Growth Management Hearings Board

Litigation of Shoreline Management Act appeals before Shoreline Hearings Board

Litigation of environmental issues before the Pollution Control Hearings Board

EDUCATION

J.D., Gonzaga University School of Law, 1991
magna cum laude
Thomas More Scholarship recipient
B.A., Accounting, Gonzaga University, 1984
cum laude

JURISDICTIONS ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

Washington State Courts
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. Court of Federal Claims

PROFESSIONAL & BAR ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS

Washington State Bar Association

Member, Environmental and Land Use Law Section
Member, Litigation Section

Member, Environmental and Land Use Law Section
Member, Litigation Section
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

Joined Firm in 1991
Adjunct Professor, Seattle University School of Law, 2002
Financial Analyst, Westinghouse Hanford Company, 1984-88
Chair, Board of Directors and Managing Partner, 2018

HONORS & AWARDS

Selected for inclusion in the 2011-2019 Washington Super Lawyers lists
Ranked in the Top 100 List in the 2016 & 2019 Washington Super Lawyers
AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale Hubbell
Ranked as Top 50 Women, 2013-2019 by Washington Super Lawyers

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Tacoma Little Theater, past Board of Directors and past President
Tacoma Shared Housing Services, past Board of Directors
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training, Mentor