information from the City of Burien

Garmon Newsom II has been selected as the new city attorney for the City of Burien. He replaces Lisa Marshall, who left for private practice earlier this year.

The legal department manages legal issues for the city, code enforcement, and the rental housing inspection program. Under the direction of the city manager, the city attorney also presides over legal matters for city council.

“Garmon has over 28 years of extensive experience in municipal law and has represented the communities he has served with professionalism and distinction,” says Brian J. Wilson, Burien City Manager. “We are fortunate to have a person of his caliber with us here in Burien.”

Newsom most recently worked for the Town of West Harford, Connecticut as Assistant Corporation Counsel, a position similar to the city attorney. He also served as a judge for the King County District Court 2013–2015 and as senior assistant city attorney for the City of Renton. He also served as executive agency counsel for the MTA/New York City Transit Authority and as assistant district attorney for the Office of the Bronx County District Attorney and Office of the New York City Special Narcotics Prosecutor.

He is admitted to the bar for the U.S. Supreme Court and various federal courts, and can practice law in Connecticut, Washington, and New York.

He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Morehouse College and a juris doctor degree from the George Washington University Law School.