City of LakewoodHeidi Wachter, City Attorney
Provides counsel to City Council and the City Manager and manages all departmental staff. Former Assistant City Attorney for the City of Tacoma and Deputy Prosecutor for Snohomish County. Past President of the Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys and incoming Chair of the Washington State Bar Association Administrative Law Section. Recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from both WSAMA and the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association. Juris Doctorate from the University of Puget Sound and Masters in Public Administration from the University of Washington.
Alice Bush, City Clerk
Serves as the City of Lakewood’s designated Public Records Officer and provides legislative and administrative support to the City Council. Alice previously served as the Administrative Services Manager for the City of Tacoma. Alice is currently the President for the Washington Association of Public Records Officers, and former President of the Washington Municipal Clerks Association and Pierce County Clerks & Finance Officers Association. Alice received a degree in Business Administration from DeAnza College and graduated from Lakes High School in Lakewood.
Anita Booker-Hay, Assistant City Attorney
Anita is currently the Lakewood Police Legal Advisor and specializes in asset forfeiture, administrative law and procedure, and criminal prosecution. Anita oversees the criminal division and the Legal/Clerk internship programs. Previously Anita served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Pierce and Thurston Counties, Pro Tem Court Commissioner in Thurston County and Pro Tem Administrative Law Judge for the Office of Administrative Hearings. Anita received her BA from the American University and law degree from the University of Puget Sound.
Matt Kaser, Assistant City Attorney
Matt oversees Civil litigation for the City of Lakewood in addition to assisting with criminal prosecution. His practice includes directly representing the City in civil litigation and appeals for the City of Lakewood as well as coordinating with Insurance Defense Counsel. Matt previously worked in private practice handling a wide-range of litigation matters including plaintiff’s personal injury, family law (including dissolution of marriage, custody disputes and child support issues), criminal defense, collections, landlord-tenant and real estate disputes. Matt is a regular speaker and presenter on the Washington Public Records Act and on various criminal topics. Matt received his Bachelors of Science from the University of Washington and his JD from Gonzaga University.
Mike McKenzie, Associate City Attorney
Mike is assigned to criminal prosecution for the City of Lakewood with a primary focus on in-custody charging and arraignment. Previously Mike served as a Special Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for King County and as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Tacoma. Mike achieved his BA from Evergreen State College and law degree from University of Puget Sound, where he was the Note and Comment Editor for the Law Review. Mike is actively involved in animal rescue and welfare organizations. In 2011 Mike was honored by the City of Lakewood for 15 years of meritorious service.