Oskar Rey

Oskar understands that municipal law is not a topic but a constellation of practice areas. He has practiced municipal law from a variety of vantage points, including in-house legal counsel, private practice, MRSC legal consultant, and as adjunct faculty at Seattle University School of Law. Those diverse experiences have provided Oskar with an appreciation of the “big picture” and which details are important.

On a daily basis, local governments are called upon to address a wide range of issues in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Oskar places an emphasis on providing sound and pragmatic advice to municipalities so they can better serve their constituents. He knows that a good municipal lawyer needs to anticipate the challenges that lie ahead and understand the backdrop against which a decision is being made.

Oskar is an active community volunteer, most recently serving on the Board of the Lincoln High School (Seattle) PTSA and helping support the school’s music and performing arts program. Oskar is a music lover and thrilled that both of his sons are studying music in college. He also enjoys cooking and is pondering whether he has one more marathon in him. Or whether he should get reacquainted with his golf game instead.

Association Memberships

• Washington State Bar Association
• Washington Association of Municipal Attorneys

Education

• J.D., University of Washington School of Law
• B.A., University of Washington, Political Science

Speaking Engagements

• Speaker, “Establishment of Religion: How Recent Cases Affect Local Governments,” MRSC webinar, 2023.
• Co-Speaker, “Public Hospital District Procurement: An Overview,” Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts webinar, 2022.
• Speaker, “Emerging Issues Regarding Homelessness,” MRSC webinar, 2021.
• Co-Speaker, “Navigating the PRA Technology Acquisition Maze,” Washington Association of Public Records Officers, Fall Conference, 2019.

Publications

• “When Hate Comes to Town: Addressing Racist and Anti-Semitic Public Comment at Meetings,” MRSC blog article, November 6, 2023.
• “Why Are There so Many Types of Cities and Counties? A Guide to Municipal Classifications and Forms of Government,” MRSC blog article, September 6, 2022.
• “Speaking Versus Regulating — The Government Speech Doctrine,” MRSC blog article, May 31, 2022.
• “New Ruling Addresses Adverse Possession of Public Property,” MRSC blog article, December 6, 2021.
• “Employee Bonuses and the COVID-19 Pandemic,” MRSC blog article, June 10, 2021.
• “Understanding Municipal Rights-of-Way: From Centerline to Edge,” MRSC blog article, September 27, 2017.

Professional and Community Activities

Adjunct Faculty, Seattle University School of Law.