Darrell S. Mitsunaga
Founding Partner
Practice
Darrell is a founding partner of Johns Monroe Mitsunaga Koloušková PLLC, a law firm in Bellevue, Washington, which represents a variety of private and public clients on land use, real estate, and construction issues. He has over 37 years of experience in real estate land/use development, transactions and advice; construction; public capital projects, and civil litigation.
Representative clients have included developers, contractors, property owners, government entities, and financial institutions.
Land Use and Real Estate
Darrell represents a variety of private clients in real estate development, associated environmental review, and related litigation. He has substantial experience in real estate transactional documentation, contract review, leasing, and related advice. He also has considerable experience in the administrative public process appearing before local and state agencies in obtaining permits and approvals necessary for land development and construction projects. This has included consultation in the preparation of permit applications, negotiation with agencies, and representation at public hearings before hearing examiners, city and county councils, and other public agencies. He has further litigated numerous judicial challenges to land use approvals appearing before the trial and appellate courts of the State of Washington.
Construction Law
Darrell represents owners, developers, and public agencies in the construction industry. He handles contract preparation, negotiation, and administration; public bidding claims; lien resolution, foreclosure and defense; impact, delay, and other contractual disputes; and related construction litigation.
Public Agency Law
Darrell represents public agencies in contract preparation, negotiation, and administration of construction projects, including preparation of AIA contract documents and bid forms. In addition, he has advised these public agencies regarding bid protest analysis and defense; risk exposure analysis; construction change directive/change order delay, impact, and other related claims. This representation includes litigation, arbitration, and mediation related to construction defect claims; lien claims; and related disputes arising out of a number of construction projects.
Commercial Litigation
Darrell has substantial jury and non-jury trial experience in the trial courts of the State of Washington and has argued cases before the Washington State Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. He has also represented clients in numerous mediations and arbitrations. He has substantial experience handling complex and multi-party litigation in a responsive, creative, and cost-effective manner.
Darrell has represented a variety of business and individual clients in commercial and real estate-related litigation/trials involving purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, easements, boundary line disputes, development agreements, real property claims, construction claims, owner/contractor claims, contract disputes, and architectural and engineering design.
Background
Admitted to practice in the State of Washington, United States District Court, Western District of Washington, and the United States Court of Federal Claims.
Law Clerk, Honorable Keith M. Callow, Washington State Court of Appeals–Division I, 1982-1984.
Reed McClure, Associate (1984-1990), Partner (1990- 2000)
Martindale Hubbell rating – AV
Education
University of Washington School of Law, J.D., 1982
University of Utah, B.S., cum laude, 1979
Professional Organizations
Asian Bar Association of Washington
King County Bar Association
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
Washington State Bar Association
Civic Activities
Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Board of Trustees.
Board Chair: 2018-2019
Board Vice-Chair: 2017-2018
Board Chair: 2013-2014
Board Vice-Chair: 2012-2013