HAGENS BERMAN

Date Filed: August 2, 2004
Court: Superior Court
Location: Washington

Hagens Berman managing partner Steve Berman was retained by a group of Mercer Island citizens, including the Washington League of Women Voters, former Mercer Island mayor Elliot Newman and other community leaders to oppose a referendum effort to sidetrack an agreement concerning two carpool lanes to the I-90 floating bridge. Berman asserted that overturning a City Council resolution isn't a legal use of referendum power which, according to Berman, can only be used to repeal ordinances. On September 9, King County Superior Court Judge Steve Scott agreed with Berman and ordered the referendum stricken from the ballot.