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Council directs chief of staff to sign waiver allowing law firm to represent outside client; motion passes 5-0
Summary
Snohomish County Council voted 5-0 to authorize the chief of staff to sign a waiver permitting the law firm Hillis, Clark, Martin & Peterson to represent a non-county client despite potential concurrent conflict, during its April 21, 2026 administrative session.
During its April 21, 2026 administrative session, the Snohomish County Council voted 5-0 to direct the chief of staff to sign a waiver of concurrent conflict of interest requested by the law firm Hillis, Clark, Martin & Peterson so the firm may represent a non-county client on an unrelated matter.
The chief of staff told the council the request had been emailed to members the prior week and asked the council to authorize an oral motion allowing the chief of staff to sign the waiver. A council member moved to provide that direction; Chair Dunne seconded. Chair Dunne called for the vote and the motion passed five to zero.
No details about the outside client or the firm’s specific representation were provided during the administrative session. The chief of staff said typical practice is for counsel to consider these requests and for the council to authorize waivers when appropriate.
The council later announced an executive session to discuss pending litigation under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) and recessed until the 10:00 a.m. committee hearing.
