Kutak Rock LLP is pleased to announce that attorney Nathan Smith has joined its Spokane office. The addition of Smith, who focuses his practice on land use, environmental issues, water rights and real estate transactions, expands the services offered locally, which previously consisted primarily of public finance attorneys working with governmental entities, national and regional banks, and investment firms. Smith will work with the firm’s more than 85 real estate attorneys nationwide.

Smith joins Kutak Rock from Witherspoon Kelley, where he was a partner in its real estate group. He brings to Kutak Rock a decade of experience representing property owners in the forest products/timber, mineral, ski facility and agriculture industries in developing their land for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes. His real estate experience includes representing both buyers and sellers on complex acquisitions, and landlord and tenant representation on all types of leases. Smith’s experience in land use and environmental law includes assisting in the procurement of land use entitlements, the representation of clients before local permitting authorities, and representation in land use appeals. His water rights experience includes representation on the acquisition, protection and transfer of water rights.

Roy Koegen, managing partner of Kutak Rock’s Spokane office, remarks, “We believe Nathan will be an excellent addition to Kutak Rock’s real estate, water and environmental practices. He is a rising star in his fields, and we anticipate our clients across the nation to benefit from his knowledge and experience.”

Smith has been recognized in Washington as a Super Lawyers® Rising Star, 2015-2017. He currently serves on the Washington State Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Executive Committee. Additionally he has served as Co-Chair of the Washington State Bar Association’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Section Mid-Year meeting in 2015 and its Environmental and Land Use Section Mid-Year meeting in 2010. He is a frequent speaker on real estate, land use and environmental law topics throughout Washington.

Smith received his bachelor’s degree in management from Purdue University in 2004, and earned his law degree from the Gonzaga University, magna cum laude, in 2007, where he was the Gonzaga Law Review Notes and Comments Editor. He is admitted to practice in Washington.