Our Team
Roy J. Koegen, Managing Partner
AREAS OF EMPHASIS
Mr. Koegen began practicing in 1974 and his practice has focused solely on municipal finance and municipal law. Mr. Koegen has primarily served as bond counsel to numerous states, cities, counties, special purpose districts, underwriters and banks, colleges and universities. In addition, Mr. Koegen has provided general municipal advice to large array of clients with respect to tax, investment, finance and regulatory issues.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS AND ISSUERS
Mr. Koegen has represented a large diversity of clients in the public finance sector, including governmental issues throughout most of the western United States, investment banks, commercial banks, universities, colleges and developers. Representative clients include the states of Washington and Montana, various public utility districts in the state of Washington, numerous school districts and library districts throughout the state of Washington, Spokane County, Montana Public Power Authority, various cities in Washington, Idaho and Montana, Barclays Capital Inc., UBS Financial Services Inc., Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank and Citigroup.
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
- States of Washington, California and Montana
- University of California, Hastings College of Law, J.D., 1974
- Gonzaga University, B.A., 1971
- Lukins & Annis P.S., Spokane and Bellevue, Washington, 2002-2005
- Perkins Coie LLP, Seattle and Spokane, Washington, 1990-2002
- Preston, Gates & Ellis, Seattle and Spokane, Washington, 1980-1990
- Blair & Koegen P.S., Spokane, Washington, 1977-1980
- Wilson Jones Morton & Lynch, San Mateo, California, 1974-1977
- National Association of Bond Lawyers, Professional Responsibility Committee, Past Chair and Current Speaker
- American Bar Association, State and Local Government Law Section, Public Finance Committee, Past Chair; Subcommittee on Municipal Securities, Past Chair; and Publications Subcommittee
- Seattle Municipal League
- MuniCouncil
- Washington Association of School Business Officials Affiliate Member
- Speaker, National Association of Bond Lawyers Annual Conference (2009)
- Edited, Disclosure Roles of Counsel, In State and Local Government Securities Offerings, Third Edition, American Bar Association, ABA P Publishing (2009)
- Head Panelist, “Electronic Municipal Market Access Systems (EMMA), SEC and MSRB” (2009)
- Edited, Handbook of Municipal Finance, American Bar Association (2009)
- Edited, Derivatives Law, American Bar Association (2009)
- Chair, “Conference on Ethics,” National Association of Bond Lawyers (2001-2005)
- Co-chair, “2002 Municipal Law Conference,” Law Seminars International (2002)
- Chair, “Sub-Sovereign Finance in the New Europe,” Prague, Czech Republic, American Bar Association (2002)
- Chair, “Sub-Sovereign Debt,” Dublin, Ireland (2001)
- Speaker, “Financing Professional Sports Facilities,” American Bar Association (2001)
- Law Seminars International, 2001 Municipal Law Conference, Co-chair (1999-2001)
- Speaker, “Ethical Issues Regarding Pay-to-Play,” American Bar Association (1999)
- Speaker, “Resource Recovery Financing,” Bond Counsel Workshop, National Association of Bond Lawyers
- Speaker, National Association of Bond Lawyers Annual Conference (1999)
- Author, Washington Municipal Financing Deskbook, Lawyers Cooperative Publishing (1993)
AREAS OF EMPHASIS
Ms. Edwards’ primary area of practice since she began practicing in 1991 has been state and municipal finance transactions. She also practiced for six years as bank counsel in secured transactions from 1992 through 1998. Ms. Edwards has served as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel, bank counsel and borrower’s counsel and has provided advice to clients on finance, regulatory and general governance issues.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS AND ISSUERS
Ms. Edwards has represented a variety of clients in the public finance community, including investment banks, commercial banks and borrowers and governmental issuers throughout the states of Washington and Pennsylvania and in Idaho and Montana. Representative clients and issuers include Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington, Spokane Public Facilities District, Spokane County, Washington, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PNC Bank, BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., U.S. Bank, Washington Trust Bank, Gonzaga University, and various school districts, fire protection districts, cities and counties.
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
- States of Washington and Pennsylvania
- Case Western Reserve University, J.D. (summa cum laude), 1991
- University of Pittsburgh, M.P.A., 1983
- Duquesne University, B.S. (Business Administration), 1981
- Campbell & Levine, LLC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2009 - 2010
- Houston Harbaugh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2008 - 2009
- Koegen Edwards LLP, Spokane, Washington, 2005 - 2008
- Lukins & Annis P.S., Spokane and Bellevue, Washington, 2002 - 2005
- Perkins Coie LLP, Spokane, Washington, 2000 - 2002
- Hodgson, Russ, Andrews, Woods & Goodyear, LLP, Buffalo, New York, 1992 - 1998
- Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, Cleveland, Ohio, 1991 – 1992
- Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cleveland, Assistant Department Director, 1986-1988
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Public Welfare, Harrisburg, Management Analyst, 1985-1986
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Governor’s Office of Administration, Harrisburg, Management Analyst, 1984-1985
AREAS OF EMPHASIS
Mr. Connelly began practicing law in 1981. His practice covers all aspects of general municipal law, including public contracts, land use, zoning and development law, employment and labor relations, governmental operations, public finance and tort defense litigation. Mr. Connelly has over 10 years’ experience as a city attorney and 19 years’ experience in private practice focusing on family law, personal injury, insurance defense litigation and land-use and development law.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS AND ISSUERS
Mr. Connelly was city attorney for two of the ten largest cities in Washington for the last ten years. As city attorney for the City of Spokane and City of Spokane Valley, Mr. Connelly handled a diverse array of municipal issues, including drafting and implementing development regulations, negotiation of public contracts, public record and open public meeting act issues, negotiation of franchises, resolving employment and labor law disputes, obtaining permits from state and federal regulatory agencies, and litigation of land use petitions, APA appeals, PERC appeals, USCA 1983 claims, tort defense and eminent domain actions. Mr. Connelly has also represented numerous private developers in land use and development matters.
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
- State of Washington
- Gonzaga University School of Law, J.D. (magna cum laude), 1981
- University of Washington, B.A. (History, Education, Teaching Certificate K-12), 1976
- City Attorney, City of Spokane Valley, Washington, 2005-2010
- City Attorney, City of Spokane, Washington, 2001-2005
- Assistant City Attorney, Police Defense, City of Spokane, Washington, 2000-2001
- Connelly and Connelly, P.S., Spokane, Washington, 1995-2000
- Michael F. Connelly, P.S., Spokane, Washington, 1990-1995
- Evans, Craven & Lackie, P.S., Spokane, Washington, 1981-1990
- Adjunct Professor, Gonzaga School of Law, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, 2004-Present
- Adjunct Professor, Eastern Washington University, Land Use and Planning, 2009
- SEPA Hearing Examiner, City of Pullman, Washington, 1998-1999
- School Board Director, Liberty School District No. 362, 1996-1999 and 2000-2002
- Hearing Examiner, City of Airway Heights, Washington, 1995-2000
- Adjunct Professor, Eastern Washington University, Education Law, Land Use and Planning, 1984-1985
- Saint Aloysius, Jr. High School Teacher, Spokane, Washington, 1978-1980
- Washington Executive Ethics Board, Member, Appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire (2008-Present) Advisory Board, Daybreak (2008-Present)
- School Board Director, Liberty School District No. 362 (1996-1999) and (2000-2002)
- Public Disclosure Commission, Chairman and Member, Appointed by Governor Gary Locke and Governor Christine Gregoire (2001-2006)
- Washington State Bar Association
- Spokane County Bar Association
- Chair, Ethics Primer Update Committee, Public Law Ethics Primer, 2010 Update, Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys and Municipal Research and Service Center of Washington.
- Presenter, “History and Overview of Notaries Public,” National League of Cities Clerks’ Conference (2010)
- Presenter, “What Conditions May be Imposed Upon Development”, Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys (2009)
- Presenter, “Short Course on Local Planning,” Planning Association of Washington and Department of Commerce (2009)
- Presenter, “Ethics in the Workplace,” Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys (2008)
- Presenter, “Land Use Law Update,” Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys (2007 & 2004)
- Presenter, “Adjudicative Proceedings, Quasi-Judicial Perspective,” State Attorney General (2006)
- Presenter, “Short Course in General Planning Principles,” Eastern Washington University (2008, 2007, & 2006)
- Presenter, “Public Records and Public Meetings,” Lorman Education Services (2005)
- Presenter, “Litigation Strategies, Direct and Cross Examination,” Spokane County Bar Association (2005)
- Presenter, “Public Disclosure, Pending Supreme Court Decisions,” Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys (2003)
- Presenter, “Ethics, Conflicts, and Lawsuits,” Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys (2002)
- Presenter, “Personnel Law Update,” Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys (2001)
- Presenter, “Ethics of Land Use Development,” Spokane County Bar Association (1999)
AREAS OF EMPHASIS
Mr. Lamb’s practice focuses on all aspects of public finance as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, underwriter’s counsel, borrower’s counsel and special counsel. Since joining Koegen Edwards LLP in 2008, Mr. Lamb has worked on a wide variety of public finance projects, including new money issues, refundings, swap terminations and interest rate conversions. He has participated in numerous transactions involving the new Build America Bonds authorized by the American Investment and Recovery Act of 2009. Additionally, he has been involved with issues regarding Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds, Recovery Zone Facility Bonds, Qualified School Construction Bonds and Qualified Zone Academy Bonds. Mr. Lamb has also participated in other aspects of public finance, including tax increment financing, 501(c)(3) conduit bond issues, airport revenue bonds, local infrastructure financings, interest rate swaps and various securities disclosure issues.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS AND ISSUERS
Representative clients include private non-profit universities, counties, cities, school districts, public utility districts, underwriter, developers having non-profits, and industrial development revenue bond issuers (airports).
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
- State of Washington
EDUCATION
- Gonzaga University School of Law, J.D. (magna cum laude), 2008
- University of Washington, B.A. (English, departmental and college honors), 2005
RELATED EXPERIENCE
- City of Spokane Valley, Washington, (intern) 2006 - 2007
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Extern to the Honorable Judge Fred Van Sickle, United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington, 2007
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES
- Member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers
- Member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers’ Associates Network
- Street Law, Spokane, Washington (2007)
- Habitat for Humanity
- Washington Council of School Attorneys Member
- Washington Association of School Business Officials Affiliate Member
AREAS OF EMPHASIS
Ms. Yates has worked in the municipal finance area since 1981. She has extensive paralegal experience in municipal financings, underwriter’s counsel transactions, bank counsel transactions, university and college financing transactions and developer’s financing transactions. Ms. Yates experience ranges from drafting basic financing documents such as resolutions, ordinances and other authorizing documents, to drafting official statements and closing documents. She meets frequently with clients in support of and in conjunction with the municipal finance attorneys and has a close relationship with clients of Koegen Edwards LLP due to her long-term tenure.
RELATED EXPERIENCE
- Lukins & Annis P.S., Spokane and Bellevue, Washington, 2002-2005
- Perkins Coie LLP, Seattle and Spokane, Washington, 1998-2002
- Lukins & Annis, Spokane, Washington, 1986-1998
- Preston, Thorgrimson, Ellis & Holman (K&L Gates LLP), Spokane, Washington, 1981-1986
- Chairman of Paralegal Committee for Fundamentals of Municipal Bonds for National Association of Bond Lawyers, (2010)
- Executive Director, The Industrial Development Corporation of Spokane County, (1998–Present)
- Current Chair, Paralegal Committee for the National Association of Bond Lawyers
- National Association of Bond Lawyers (Legal Assistant Committee)
- Paralegal Faculty Member for Fundamentals of Municipal Bonds for National Association of Bond Lawyers (2008 & 2009)
- Project Access, Spokane County (Sustainability Committee Member)
- Spokane Falls Community College, Liberal Arts classes, attended 1980-1982
- Spokane Community College, Paralegal Program, attended 1989-1991
- Gonzaga University, B.G.S. (Organizational Leadership) 2004, with honors
AREAS OF EMPHASIS
Ms. Kawewehi has worked with the attorneys of Koegen Edwards LLP for seven years. She is experienced in drafting financing documents such as resolutions, ordinances and other authorizing documents and closing documents, along with assisting in the research and drafting of disclosure documents, including official statements. She meets and corresponds with clients in support of and in conjunction with the municipal finance attorneys and has a close relationship with clients of Koegen Edwards LLP. In addition, Ms. Kawewehi has experience in the areas of real estate and corporate law from her employment at a general practice firm in 2005 - 2006.
RELATED EXPERIENCE
- Law Offices of David A. Gittins, Clarkston, Washington, 2005-2006
- Lukins & Annis P.S., Spokane, Washington, 2002-2005
- Paralegal Member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers
- Spokane Community College, Legal Administrative Assistant, March 2003, with honors
Rachelle Larson, Office Administrator
AREAS OF EMPHASIS
Ms. Rachelle Larson joined Koegen Edwards LLP in October 2009. She is experienced in performing a variety of administrative and clerical duties necessary to keep the firm running efficiently. She plans and schedules meetings and appointments; organizes and maintains paper and electronic files; manages projects; conducts research and disseminate information by using the telephone, mail services, websites and email. She also handles the computer software for billing, reporting and documentation. Ms. Larson prepares correspondences and legal documents under the supervision of the attorneys and paralegals. She has a proven record of adding value to the firm utilizing research, analysis, problem solving, training, communication and multitasking skills.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Inland Imaging Business Associates, 1994-2009
- Spokane Falls Community College, attended 1989-1990
