Bill Severson’s practice focuses on Washington state and local property taxes, and governmental fees and charges. With 50 years of experience, Bill helps clients navigate these complex tax and valuation issues and represents them when an administrative appeal or litigation becomes necessary.
His experience includes complex tax valuation disputes, class actions challenging state and local taxes and fees, valuation and equalization of public utility property, excise tax litigation, federal commerce clause limitations on state tax authority, taxation of leasehold estates and other partial interests in publicly owned property, challenges to illegal and unconstitutional governmental exactions, the illegal exercise of special levy tax authority, governmental financial management practices and procedures, inter-governmental tax immunity, and challenges to local tax officials when they act outside the scope of their legal authority.
Bill began his practice in Washington State as a deputy prosecuting attorney for King County, where he advised and represented county officials on tax and finance matters.
Professional/Civic Associations
- Washington Department of Revenue, Business Advisory Council
- National Association of Property Tax Attorneys, Board of Directors
- Washington State Bar Association, Tax Section, State and Local Tax Subcommittee
- Institute for Professionals in Taxation, Associate Member
- International Association of Assessing Officers, Associate Member
- Rental Housing Association of Puget Sound, past Board Member
- University of Washington Economics Department Visiting Committee, Chair
Publications
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“Tax or Fee? A Proposed Framework for Deciding When Constitutional Tax Limitations Apply,” Gonzaga Law Review 41 (2022).
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“Washington Real Property Deskbook Series”, Co-Editor, Washington State Bar Association.
Admitted to Practice
- Washington
Ryan Law