City Attorney’s Office

City Clerk's Office

The City Clerk oversees the City Council’s agenda and business meetings, retains the official record of all formal meetings of the City Council, acts as the custodian of the City seal and official City records, and codifies all Ordinances into the Municipal Code. The City Clerk also serves as the City’s municipal election official and assists in the initiative and referendum process.

City Clerk’s Office

Additional Information

• City Charter
• City Council Meetings
• Committees, Boards, and Commissions
• Elections
• Public Disclosure Requests [link to Public Records Office]
• Tacoma Municipal Code

Contact

(253) 591-5505

Mailing Address:
747 Market Street
Attn: City Clerk’s Office
Tacoma, WA 98402

cityclerk@tacoma.gov

Civil Division

The Civil Division is responsible for all legal matters of the City and provides legal counsel and representation to the City’s elected and appointed officials. The Civil Division handles all claims, represents the City in all lawsuits and hearings, and prepares and/or approves all legal documents. The Division maintains two offices, one at the Tacoma Municipal Building and one at Tacoma Public Utilities.

The attorneys in the City Attorney’s Office do not provide legal advice to residents; they serve as attorneys for City government and City officials, rather than individual citizens. Individuals must retain their own attorneys for legal advice and representation.

Claims for Damages

See additional resources on this page, below.

Contact

Civil – General Government

Phone: (253) 591-5885
Fax: (253) 591-5755

Mailing Address:
City Attorney’s Office – Civil
747 Market Street
Room 1120
Tacoma, WA 98402

Civil – Tacoma Public Utilities

Phone: (253) 502-8167
Fax: (253) 502-8672

Mailing Address:
City Attorney’s Office – TPU Civil
3628 South 35th Street
Tacoma, WA 98402

Claims

Phone: (253) 591-5616
Email: legalclaims@tacoma.gov

Litigation

Phone: (253) 591-5885
Fax: (253) 591-5755

Labor Relations Division

The Labor Relations Division negotiates and administers all labor contracts on behalf of the City of Tacoma and serves as the primary point of contact for union business representatives for collective bargaining units.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

Contact

(253) 591-5609

Mailing Address:
747 Market Street
Room 1520
Tacoma, WA 98402

Labor Relations Division Manager
Dylan Carlson
dcarlson2@tacoma.gov

Prosecution Division

The Prosecution Division is responsible for the prosecution of all violations of City criminal codes before the Tacoma Municipal Court and advises City departments charged with enforcement.

The Prosecution Division represents the interests of the public as a whole and does not represent individuals. The attorneys and staff employed by the office are strictly prohibited from providing any legal advice to private individuals in any criminal matter.

Contact

(253) 591-5834
tacomapros@tacoma.gov

Address:
930 Tacoma Avenue S
Room 440
Tacoma, WA 98402

How do I find out about...

Criminal Cases

Pierce County Legal Information Network Exchange (LINX)

https://linxonline.co.pierce.wa.us/linxweb/Search.cfm
The LINX website provides access to Pierce County Superior Court, District Court, and Municipal Court calendars; attorney information, charges, and proceedings; e-filing services; and jail rosters.

Washington Courts Information

dw.courts.wa.gov
Go to the Washington Courts Information website to get information on your case, such as the hearing date. Entering the case number on that site will provide you with the hearing date, type of hearing, location of hearing, and other associated information.

This site has sections for:

• Find My Court Date (includes case summary, calendar, and a list of associated activities).
• Case Number/Case Name Search. You must know the participant’s name and court involved. (Includes a case summary, calendar, and list of associated activities)
• Attorney’s Search. Search is done based on the attorney’s bar number. (Returns case list associated with the attorney)

City of Tacoma Prosecution Division

The Tacoma Prosecution Division can provide hearing dates and similar information about cases. Change of address can be reported to the Prosecution Division.

Email: tacomapros@tacoma.gov
Phone: (253) 591-5834
In person: 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 440, Tacoma, WA 98402

Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office

www.piercecountywa.gov/118/Prosecuting-Attorney
Phone: (253) 798-7400
In Person: Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 946, Tacoma, WA 98402

Assigned Council / Public Defenders

Pierce County Office of Assigned Council
www.piercecountywa.gov/92/Assigned-Counsel-Public-Defender
Email: pcassgncnsel@piercecountywa.gov
Phone: (253) 798-6062
Address: 949 Market Street, Suite 334, Tacoma, WA 98402

Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence

If you, a friend, or a family member is a victim of intimate partner violence or domestic violence, the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center can help. You’ll find all the professional support and resources you need under one roof.

What is intimate partner violence (IPV)? Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a pattern of abusive behavior that are rooted in power and control. IPV can include a variety of tactics such as physical, sexual, psychology or emotional abuse. The Family Justice Center has more information and can help.

See also: Protection Orders and No Contact Orders, below.

Crystal Judson Family Justice Center

familyjusticecenter.us/
Phone: (253) 798-4166
Toll Free Phone: (800) 764-2420
Fax: (253) 798-4320
In person: 718 Court E, Tacoma, WA 98402

Domestic Violence Protection Order petitions can also be filed with the Clerk of the Pierce County Superior Court or at a Domestic Violence (DV) Kiosk. To find out about current DV Kiosk locations, contact Pierce County at 253-798-8827.

Family Justice Center Available Resources

• Safety Planning
• Civil and Criminal Legal Information
• Electronic Protection Order Filing
• Access to Support Groups and Counseling
• Access to Dept. of Social and Health Services
• Military Advocacy and Information
• Services available in a multitude of languages
• Sexual Assault information
• Emergency housing information
• Immigration information
• Chaplaincy services

Partners

Visit familyjusticecenter.us for a complete list.

• YWCA Pierce County
• Our Sister’s House
• Korean Women’s Association
• Mi Centro
• Victim Witness Assistance Services
• Associated Ministries

Language Interpreter Services

Foreign language interpretation services are available. Contact the Prosecutor’s Office or the Municipal Court Clerk for more information.

Police Reports and Arrests

Prosecution Division

Email: tacomapros@tacoma.gov
Phone: (253) 591-5834
In person: 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 440, Tacoma, WA 98402.

FAQs

I have called the Prosecution Division about my police report and they do not have it. Who do I call to find out the status of the report?
The Police Department may be doing additional investigation. In that event, the report will be forwarded to the Prosecution Division for review upon completion.

How do I find out what will happen as a result of my arrest?
The Prosecution Division can provide information once the police report has been received and reviewed.

Protection Orders and No Contact Orders

See also Domestic Violence, above.

The following agencies can provide information about civil protection order petitions and no contact orders.

Clerk of the Pierce County Superior Court

Electronic Filing: www.piercecountywa.gov/6484/Protection-Orders

Phone: (253) 798-3654
In person: 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110, Tacoma, WA 98402.

Crystal Judson Family Justice Center

See also Domestic Violence, above.

Types of civil protection orders include: Domestic Violence (DV) protection order, sexual assault protection order, vulnerable adult protection order, extreme risk protection order, anti-harassment protection order, stalking protection order).

familyjusticecenter.us/
Phone: (253) 798-4166
Toll Free Phone: (800) 764-2420
Fax: (253) 798-4320
In person: 718 Court E, Tacoma, WA 98402

Traffic Infractions

Tacoma Municipal Court

Municipal Court
Phone: (253) 591-5357
Email: MunicipalCourt@tacoma.gov
In person: 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 841, Tacoma, WA 98402

Victim Witness Assistance Services

Victims and witnesses of crimes in Pierce County can contact the Victim Witness Assistance Services Unit at the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office.

www.piercecountywa.gov/122/Superior-Court
Phone: (253) 798-7400
In Person: Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 946, Tacoma, WA 98402

Will my case be filed in Municipal Court or Superior Court? 

Felonies are filed in Pierce County Superior Court. Misdemeanors occurring within Tacoma City limits may be filed in Tacoma Municipal Court.

Pierce County Superior Court

www.piercecountywa.gov/122/Superior-Court
Phone: (253) 798-7487
In person: 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 334, Tacoma, WA 98402.

Tacoma Municipal Court

Municipal Court
Phone: (253) 591-5357
In person: 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 841, Tacoma, WA 98402.

Legal Advice Resources

Can I receive legal advice from the City Attorney’s Office?

No. The attorneys in the City Attorney’s Office do not provide legal advice to residents. They serve as attorneys for City government and City officials, rather than individual citizens. Individuals must retain their own attorneys for legal advice and representation.

Where can I get legal advice if I cannot afford an attorney?

See the resources below:

Dial 2-1-1 for Essential Community Services (United Way 211)

www.211.org
Phone: 2-1-1
Toll Free: (800) 572-4357

Northwest Justice Project  

nwjustice.org/
Phone: (253) 272-7879
Toll Free: 1 (888) 201-1014
Address: 715 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma, WA 98402

Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service  

www.tpcba.com/
Phone: (253) 383-3432

Washington Law Help 

www.washingtonlawhelp.org/

Additional Resources

City Council

View the City Council web pages for information on public meetings, current Council Members, communicating with the Council, and more.

Claims for Damages

Claims for damages against the City must be filed within the applicable statute of limitations. The process for submitting a claim to the City and links to the online claim filing portal and forms are available online at www.tacoma.gov/claims.

Claims for Damages

Courts

Tacoma Municipal Court

Municipal Court
Email: MunicipalCourt@tacoma.gov
Phone: (253) 591-5357
Address: 930 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402

Pierce County District Court

www.piercecountywa.gov/101/District-Court
Email: PCDISTCRT1@piercecountywa.gov
Address: 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 239
Phone: (253) 798-7487

Pierce County Superior Court

www.piercecountywa.gov/95/Clerk-of-the-Superior-Court
Address: 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110
Phone: (253) 798-7455
Pretrial Services: (253) 798-3781

Washington State Courts

www.courts.wa.gov/
Includes Washington Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Tribal Courts, as well as links to Superior, Juvenile, District, Municipal Courts, Therapeutic Courts, and judicial directories.

Hearing Examiner

City of Tacoma – Hearing Examiner’s Office

Office of the Hearing Examiner
Email: hearing.examiner@tacoma.gov
Phone: (253) 591-5195

Landlord-Tenant Laws

Complete the online Landlord-Tenant Intake Form, or contact staff through the Tacoma FIRST 311 system:

Landlord-Tenant Intake Form (311)

• Phone: 3-1-1 or (253) 591-5000

See also:

• City of Tacoma Landlord-Tenant Program web page
• Tacoma Municipal Code – Chapter 1.95 (Rental Housing Code) and Chapter 1.100 (Landlord Fairness Code Initiative).

Laws and Codes

• United States Code: http://www.govinfo.gov/help/uscode
• Revised Code of Washington: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/
• Washington State Legislature: https://leg.wa.gov/
• Pierce County Code: https://pierce.county.codes/
• Tacoma Municipal Code: https://www.tacoma.gov/municode
• Tacoma City Charter: https://www.tacoma.gov/Charter

Public Disclosure Requests

City of Tacoma – Public Records Office

Public disclosure requests are managed by the citywide Public Records Office. Access the Records Request Portal using the button below:

www.tacoma.gov/PDR

Phone: (253) 502-8144
Email: publicdisclosure@tacoma.gov

(Public Records Act, PRA, FOIA)

City Attorney

Meet the Director

City Attorney

Chris Bacha

Chris Bacha’s career, spanning nearly four decades, reflects a commitment to public service, a passion for problem-solving, and an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing local communities.

His journey began in 1985 as an intern for the Tacoma City Attorney’s Office while finishing law school at the University of Puget Sound. This early experience sparked a lasting personal connection to Tacoma and an interest in municipal law.

After a brief stint as a Deputy Prosecutor in Lewis County and part-time faculty member at Centralia Community College, he returned to Tacoma. Drawn back to Tacoma by the dynamism and impact of working directly within local government where policies, problem-solving and action directly benefit the diverse communities the City of Tacoma serves, he served as an Assistant City Attorney for the Tacoma City Attorney’s Office for over a decade. In this role, he tackled a wide range of legal issues. He provided legal counsel on matters relating to police, construction and engineering, economic development, finance, libraries, asset management and franchise administration.

He later broadened his experience with the municipal law firm, Kenyon Disend, PLLC, and served as the City Attorney for the cities of Orting, Burien, Black Diamond, DuPont and Algona. He also provided legal counsel to the cities of Federal Way, Kent, Kirkland, Lakewood, Olympia, Puyallup, Seattle, Spokane and Toppenish, as well as Mason County, Sound Transit, the Snohomish County Public Utility District, and the Tax Portal Agency.

The depth and breadth of his experience with various communities across Washington state deepened his understanding of the diverse needs and challenges faced by local governments.

When he accepted the position of Tacoma’s Chief Deputy City Attorney, he was entrusted with the responsibility of supervising staff, mentoring young attorneys, and providing legal counsel on special projects as well as complex litigation, environmental services and supervisory administration matters.

As Tacoma’s current City Attorney, he remains committed to making life better for the individuals, families and businesses that call Tacoma home. Recognizing that Tacoma’s cultural diversity is its greatest strength – a professional perspective that reflects the values of his own blended family – he remains committed to advocating for the best interests of the entire Tacoma community, ensuring a vibrant and prosperous future for all.

He is admitted to practice in Washington state and before the United States District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Washington, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Education

University of Puget Sound School of Law, Tacoma, Washington, J.D. 1986
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington: Society and Justice, B.A. 1983, Cum Laude

Membership / Affiliation

Washington State Bar Association
Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys