Published January 23 2019
This Tuesday marked the official start date of the city’s new city attorney, Kathy Gerla. Gerla, who has over 30 years of legal experience in both the public and private sectors, comes to Bellevue from the King County Prosecutor’s Office. She was selected in December after a nationwide recruitment process.
“Kathy has an impressive resume and a broad range of experience, including handling delicate municipal issues,” said City Manager Brad Miyake. “I’m very pleased she’s decided to join us here at the City of Bellevue.”
Gerla has spent the last seven years as a senior deputy in the County Prosecutor’s Office. Previously she worked in the Seattle City Attorney’s Office and served for 17 years in the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, representing the Governor’s Office and the departments of Natural Resources and Ecology. Gerla has also enjoyed several years in private practice, as a member of Foster Pepper, a regional law firm based in Seattle. Her clients included municipalities and private companies.
“This is an exciting time to serve as Bellevue’s city attorney,” said Gerla. “I look forward to working with city leaders in continuing to provide excellent services to our community.”
Raised in Eastern Washington, Gerla graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Washington University and received her law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law. She lives in the Newport Hills neighborhood of Bellevue, where she enjoys taking in the beauty of the outdoors by hiking and gardening.
She replaces former City Attorney Lori Riordan, who retired from the position last October.