Van Ness Feldman is pleased to announce that Seth J. King has joined the firm as Of Counsel in its Seattle office, bringing more than 25 years of experience advising clients on complex land use, zoning, permitting, and real estate development matters.

King joins VNF from electric-car company Lucid USA, Inc., where he served as Managing Counsel for Global Zoning, Land Use, and Licensing. In that role, he developed permitting strategies for retail and manufacturing facilities, advised on development risks, and helped navigate regulatory approvals for new facilities and operations. His experience includes securing land use and environmental permits, representing the company in local zoning and development hearings, and negotiating agreements supporting infrastructure and real estate projects.

Prior to his in-house role, King spent nearly two decades at an Am-Law 50 firm in the Pacific Northwest, including as a partner in the firm's land use practice. He advised clients on development strategy, environmental and land use permitting, regulatory approvals, and contested proceedings involving complex energy and development projects. Earlier in his career, King served as an Assistant City Attorney advising elected and appointed officials on zoning, land use, and municipal law matters.

"Seth brings an exceptional combination of private practice, in-house, and government experience that aligns directly with the challenges our clients face," said Tadas Kisielius, Co-Chair of Van Ness Feldman. "His understanding of how major projects move from planning and development through permitting and implementation adds important depth to our Seattle team and strengthens our ability to support clients undertaking complex development and infrastructure projects."

King's practice will focus on guiding public- and private-sector clients through land use strategy and due diligence, project development, permitting, and regulatory challenges. His experience working with corporate leadership, government agencies, elected officials, and community stakeholders provides a practical perspective on advancing projects in complex regulatory environments.

"Successful development projects require more than an understanding of land use regulations. They require sound judgment, strategic planning, and the ability to anticipate and resolve challenges before they become obstacles," said Ray Liaw, Co-Chair of the firm's Land Use practice. "Seth has spent his career working through those challenges from multiple perspectives. His experience will be a tremendous asset to our clients and complements the depth of our existing land use and real estate team."

King earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and his B.A. in Public Policy and Affairs, with High Distinction, from the University of Michigan. He has been recognized by Chambers USA for Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use in Oregon.