Ray serves as a trusted advisor on a wide range of land use, municipal, and real estate matters to developers, public agencies, utilities, institutional investors, and nonprofits throughout the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys leading teams and providing strategic support at all phases of a project, including siting, due diligence, and acquisition; securing permits and entitlements; and ensuring compliance with applicable land use approvals and regulations. Ray frequently collaborates with clients on navigating complex issues under SEPA, the Shoreline Management Act (SMA), the Growth Management Act (GMA), historic preservation laws, and a wide variety of local zoning codes and critical area regulations. When disputes cannot be resolved with regulators and project opponents, Ray vigorously represents clients in local legislative and adjudicative proceedings, state administrative tribunals, and court, including Land Use Petition Act (LUPA) appeals.
Ray also serves as general counsel to public agencies, regularly advising on compliance the Public Records Act, the Open Public Meetings Act public procurement, and governance. She provides guidance to both public agencies and private entities on compliance strategies with Washington's open government laws that concern controversial projects and potential litigation.
Ray is coordinator of the firm’s Land Use and Real Estate practice.