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Steve C. Morasch
Shareholder
360-905-1433 Direct
smorasch@schwabe.com
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Formatted Resume
Professional Experience
Steve Morasch represents developers and land owners in the land use permitting process in both Oregon and Washington. He has experience in all aspects of land use planning, including transportation planning and growth management. His success in Oregon includes the permitting of Pioneer Place Phase II in downtown Portland, and in Washington, he was instrumental in the final round of permitting for the Tidewater Cove office complex. Mr. Morasch has also defeated court challenges to development approvals brought by state agencies and environmental groups. Mr. Morasch has focused his court work on constitutional claims affecting landowner rights, including First Amendment and Equal Protection rights, as well as Dolan claims and regulatory takings. Professional & Community Activities
Mr. Morasch serves as a member of the Clark County Planning Commission, the Industrial Lands Committee of the Columbia River Economic Development Council, and the Government Affairs Committee of the Clark County Association of Realtors. He is also a board member of the Responsible Growth Forum as well as the Clark College Alumni Association. In addition, Mr. Morasch serves on several bar committees, including the legislative committee and the digest committee.
Awards
Mr. Morasch has been the recipient of numerous awards, including an award from the Wall Street Journal and an award from Nobel prize-winning economist Milton Friedman. He has also received eight legal awards from American Jurisprudence. In 2005, Mr. Morasch was selected as a recipient of The Vancouver Business Journal's "Accomplished Under 40" Award, which honors young professionals who have distinguished themselves with a balance of accomplishments both in their profession and in the community at large.
Notable Cases
David Hill v. City of Forest Grove – Developer obtains land-use approval to build 215 lot subdivision but is delayed by the City Engineer because the City wanted to assist other local developers and property owners. We sued the City in the Federal District Court of Oregon for civil rights violations and takings, including claims of unequal protection and substantive and procedural due process violations. After a 30 day trial, the jury found the City had violated David Hill's rights and awarded over $6,500,000 in damages plus attorneys fees. Admitted to Practice
Washington State Courts
Oregon State Courts
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Publications
"Government Condemnation of Property: The more things change the more they stay the same," Vancouver Business Journal, July 22, 2005
"Growth Management Act could be detrimental to business relocation," Vancouver Business Journal, May 27, 2005
"Land use regulations are moving target for developers," Vancouver Business Journal, March 25, 2005
"Business Voice needed in updates of land-use regulations," Vancouver Business Journal, June 14, 2004
Education
Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College, Juris Doctor degree, summa cum laude (1992)
Willamette University, Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude (1989)
Clark College, Associate in Arts and Sciences degree (1987)
Articles
New Senate Bill Changes Wetland Law in Oregon, March 20, 2012
National Wildlife Federation Files Second Suit Against FEMA, January 6, 2012
Sneak Preview of FEMA Waterfront Regulations in Oregon, June 9, 2011
FEMA Settles Oregon Lawsuit, More Regulations Coming To Water Front Uses, August 12, 2010
As Earth Day Turns 40, Shoreline Regulations Get Facelift, April 22, 2010
Stormwater Appeal In Clark County, Washington All Wet, February 5, 2010
Stormwater Rules Will Hinder City's Economic Development, May 15, 2009
Stormwater Regulations Could Leave Vancouver Vulnerable, March 30, 2009
New Washington State Stormwater Regulations Are Viewed as Unreasonable by Some Local Officials and Developers, March 3, 2009
Real Estate and Development: Rural Changes Coming for County Comprehensive Plan, October 13, 2008
Changes Headed for Highway 99, May 21, 2008
New Clark County Bank ‘Swamped’ With Business, May 31, 2007
Can Buses Compete With Light Rail?, February 20, 2007
Government Condemnation of Property: The more things change the more they stay the same, July 27, 2005
Growth Management Act could be detrimental to business relocation, June 3, 2005
Land use regulations are moving target for developers, March 25, 2005
Business voice needed in updates of land-use regulations, June 14, 2004
Court Decides New Regulatory Takings Case , March 1, 2004
New Supreme Court decision has implications for challenges to System Development Charges, April 1, 2003
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