Gov's lawyer leaves state for private firm

By Associated Press

Summary

A change in Gov. Chris Gregoire's administration: Her lawyer is leaving to work for a private firm. Richard E. Mitchell has been Gregoire's general counsel for the past four years. He's joining Summit Law Group of Seattle, to lead its real estate and land use division.

Story Published: Nov 17, 2008 at 4:11 PM PST

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 4:52 AM PST

Gov's lawyer leaves state for private firm

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire cheers as she gets ready to address a crowd at the Washington State Democratic Party election night party Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, in Seattle.

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - A change in Gov. Chris Gregoire's administration: Her lawyer is leaving to work for a private firm.

Richard E. Mitchell has been Gregoire's general counsel for the past four years. He's joining Summit Law Group of Seattle, to lead its real estate and land use division.

It's the first major change in Gregoire's administration since she won a second term in this month's election. Gregoire says Mitchell left on his own accord. He earned about $125,000 a year as general counsel.

Mitchell, 42, has a bachelor's degree in architecture from Cornell University, a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Michigan, and a law degree from Syracuse. Mitchell previously worked on the London Docklands redevelopment in England.

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