Matthew R. Hansen
Practice Emphasis
BAR ADMISSIONS
Washington, 2005; United States District Court, Western District of Washington
______________________________________________________________________Matt is a shareholder and member of Graham & Dunn’s Condemnation, Real Estate and Litigation Teams. In connection with his active condemnation practice, Matt routinely advises and represents both municipal agencies and property owners regarding substantive and procedural eminent domain law. In addition to his significant experience in condemnation law, Matt is also an active real estate litigator, representing and counseling clients in all aspects of commercial landlord-tenant law, including lease negotiations, disputes, workouts and unlawful detainer actions.
As a proven trial attorney, Matt has considerable experience representing clients in mediations, arbitrations and in trials, including a number of multi-week jury trials. Matt has tried cases in King, Pierce and Snohomish County Superior Courts, and has successfully argued cases before the Washington State Court of Appeals.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Matt worked at Graham & Dunn as a full-time legal intern and law clerk while attending law school in the evening. He also externed with Sound Transit’s legal department – providing legal research support and assisting the organization in its acquisition of real property as part of its capital improvement projects.
PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
Presenter, “Presenting and Defending Your Appraisal in Litigation,” Appraisal Institute Fall Real Estate Conference (2011)
Presenter, “The Interplay Between Impact Fees and Dedication in Condemnation,” The Seminar Group 2nd Annual Issues in Condemnation (2011)
Co-Editor, “Damage to Separate Parcels: Unity of Use,” Nichols on Eminent Domain” (Matthew Bender, 2010).
Presenter, “Condemnation, Valuation, and Mock Trial,” International Right of Way Association (2007 & 2010).
Presenter, “Top 10 Things a Right-of-Way Agent Never Wants to Hear From a Property Owner During Negotiations,” International Right of Way Association (2010).
Presenter, “Tenant Rights under the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act,” Tacoma Community College (2007).
Author, Washington State section, “Law and Procedure of Eminent Domain in the 50 States,” American Bar Association (2006 and 2012 update).
Co-Editor, Part Eighteen: Eminent Domain, “Washington Lawyers Practice Manual,” King County Bar Association (2005, 2006, 2008 and 2011 updates).
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Member, American Bar Association, Litigation Section
Member, American Bar Association, Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use Litigation Committee
Member, King County Bar Association
Member, Washington State Bar Association, Litigation Section
Vice President, International Right of Way Association, Chapter 4
Former Board Member, Belltown Business Association
Former Commissioner, Tacoma Human Rights Commission
RECOGNITION
Washington Law and Politics Magazine, “Rising Star” for Eminent Domain Law (2010)
International Right of Way Association, Chapter 4, “Professional of the Year” (2011)
EDUCATION
J.D., Seattle University School of Law, 2004
B.A., Law and Justice, Central Washington University, 2000
