Robert E. Mack

Robert Mack is a founding member of the Smith Alling firm. Before joining the firm, he served in a number of positions in Washington State government, including Legal Counsel to the Governor, Assistant Secretary of State, Assistant Attorney General, and special counsel to the State Senate.

At Smith Alling, he has represented clients on matters involving land use, water rights, shoreline development and use, and state and local administrative matters. In addition, he represented clients – municipalities, associations, and others – on state legislative and executive branch matters. He was involved in development of Washington State’s Growth Management Act and municipal water law.

In 2007, he took a leave of absence to serve as Deputy Director of Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU), a regional provider of power, water, rail, and telecommunications services. In 2017, he retired as Deputy Director for Public Affairs and Communications, and ended his leave of absence from Smith Alling. In commending him, the TPU Board concluded that “Mr. Mack has mastered the art of defusing difficult situations through the use of humor and self-deprecation.”