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RESUME

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HARRY S. STEINMETZ

206-387-1333 | hsslaw@me.com | Des Moines, WA | linkedin.com/in/hsslaw

 

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS EXPERIENCE

 

City of Des Moines, Des Moines, WA
Deputy Mayor & Council Member | January 2022 – Present

Elected to the Des Moines City Council in 2021 and selected as Deputy Mayor in 2023. Serve as one of seven elected officials responsible for setting long-term policy and direction for the city.

  • Facilitate City Council and committee meetings, guiding discussions and decision-making on complex issues.

  • Actively serve on the Public Safety & Emergency Management, Transportation, and Economic Development committees.

  • Represent the City of Des Moines on the Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee and the Soundside Alliance.

 

The Law Office of Harry S. Steinmetz, Des Moines, WA.

Attorney / Owner | July 2003 – January 2005

Provided government relations consulting, policy analysis, and legal advocacy for businesses and trade associations to resolve issues with state and local governments.

  • Served as legal counsel for the Washington Health Care Association during its reorganization. 

  • Led successful efforts to amend the Building Code to allow locked dementia units and to defeat a proposed nursing home utility tax by the City of Puyallup. 

  • Led a successful lobbying campaign to prevent a misdemeanor conviction from being a precursor to a felony charge. 

  • Successfully negotiated with the City of Federal Way to reinterpret a sign ordinance allowing lighted signs with moving pictures.

  • Represented licensed healthcare professionals on matters related to the Uniform Disciplinary Act, criminal law, and regulatory violations. 

  • Advised clients on legal and regulatory compliance, helping them operate efficiently and profitably. 

 

Washington Association of Housing and Services for the Aging, Seattle, WA  

Director of Government Relations | June 2000 to March 2003

Developed and implemented policy and legislative strategies on long-term care and senior housing issues for a statewide trade association. 

  • Drafted and analyzed legislation and regulations. Published weekly Legislative Update and drafted articles on issues of public policy. 

  • Testified and coordinated the testimony of others before legislative committees, task forces, and agencies. 

  • Analyzed budget implications of proposed changes in the long-term care Medicaid reimbursement system. 

  • Worked closely with Washington State Congressional Delegation and staff, lobbied on federal legislation and regulatory issues. 

  • Developed WAHSA election strategies and evaluated candidates for members.

 

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals | Seattle, WA
Industrial Appeals Judge 3 | July 2021 – February 2025

Presided over appeals from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, ensuring fair and thorough review of workers' compensation and workplace safety cases.

  • Conducted hearings, motion hearings, and pre-trial conferences.

  • Drafted decisions on workers’ compensation, WISHA, and other matters from L&I.

  • Managed a high-volume caseload, handling 40 to 120 appeals at any given time.

  • Served on the Safety Committee, organized the National Association of Administrative Law Judges (NAALJ) annual CLE, and developed a listserv and virtual lunch conference to support new judges.

 

Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings | Tacoma, WA
Administrative Law Judge | January 2021 – July 2021

Presided over appeals from the Washington State Employment Security Department, ensuring fair and efficient adjudication of cases.

  • Conducted five hearings per day and issued five decisions daily.

  • Established a listserv for new judges to foster peer support and knowledge sharing.

 

Newton and Hall, PLLC | Kent, WA
Senior Criminal Defense Attorney | June 2019 – January 2021

Boutique Criminal Defense Law Firm

  • Provided comprehensive legal representation for clients facing Class A felony charges, including court appearances, negotiations, investigations, witness interviews, motion drafting, trial preparation, and trial execution.

  • Advised clients on their legal rights, case strengths, and potential resolutions.

  • Represented clients in pre-trial negotiations and explored all available legal options.

  • Drafted legal documents, motions, and correspondence.

  • Managed relationships with clients, opposing attorneys, and the courts to achieve favorable outcomes.

 

The J&S Law Group, PLLC / The Law Office of Harry S. Steinmetz | Tacoma, WA
Managing Partner / Owner | January 2005 – June 2019

Full-service Criminal Defense Law Firm

  • Provided legal representation for individuals facing felony and misdemeanor charges, as well as professional licensing violations.

  • Managed all aspects of case representation, including court appearances, negotiations, investigations, witness interviews, motion drafting, trial preparation, and trial advocacy.

  • Advised clients on their legal rights, case strengths, and potential resolutions.

  • Drafted legal motions, court filings, and professional correspondence.

  • Managed relationships clients, opposing attorneys, and the courts to achieve favorable outcomes.

 

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

 

  • Chair of the Criminal Law Section of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association.

  • Pierce County Superior Court Judicial Management Initiative Committee and the Criminal Procedures Committee.

  • Appointed by the Pierce County Council to the 2008 Criminal Justice Task Force.

  • Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and served on the Legislative Committee.

  • Member of the Washington State Joint Legislative Domestic Violence Workgroup.

 

ADMISSIONS AND EDUCATION 

Washington State Bar Association, #24863 Admitted June 1995

State Bar of California, #144262 Admitted January 1990

Santa Clara University, School of Law, Santa Clara, CA

Juris Doctorate Degree, May 1989

Honors Moot Court Board; Student Bar Association Representative; Santa Clara Public Interest Law Foundation Treasurer; Community Service Award.

 

San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Bachelor of  Arts Degree, Political Science 1985

 

Earlier Career Experience

 

Washington State Senate, Senate Committee Services, Olympia, WA

Staff Counsel, Judiciary Committee, December 1998 to June 1999

 

Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Olympia, WA

Investigative Officer, June 1998 to December 1998

 

Washington State Senate, Senate Committee Services, Olympia, WA

Staff Counsel, Law and Justice Committee, December 1997 to May 1998

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