Washington Public Records & privacy Attorney
The Balance of Transparency and Prvacy
Washington’s Public Records Act promotes open government, but privacy exemptions exist for sensitive information. When a request targets personal data like home addresses, medical details, or family information, the stakes feel high for residents in Tacoma neighborhoods, from Stadium District and North End to South Tacoma and Point Defiance. Nigel Malden Law guides individuals and organizations through the tension between disclosure and privacy, drawing on experience with
privacy and defamation matters that often run alongside public records disputes.
When You Need a Public Records Lawyer
You may need help when an agency notifies you that responsive records include your sensitive data and you want to object before release. You may also need counsel when a legitimate request for records is denied or delayed without a valid exemption. For Tacoma, Pierce County, Seattle, and Olympia matters, Nigel Malden Law moves quickly to evaluate exemptions, timelines, and the best forum to resolve disputes.
Washington Public Records Act: Key Points
The PRA applies to state and local agencies and requires prompt responses, reasonable searches, and disclosure unless an exemption applies. Common exemptions involve personal privacy, law enforcement investigations, and certain health or financial information. We explain which exemptions might apply, how redaction works, and what to expect if an agency relies on broad or inapplicable exemptions to withhold records. For those hoping to reduce exposure of older criminal matters, we also discuss how
record sealing is a separate process from the PRA and may be the better path when the goal is long-term privacy.
Our Services in Privacy and Public Records
Nigel Malden Law prepares tailored objections to prevent release of protected data, seeks injunctions where the law allows, and pursues attorney fee remedies when agencies improperly withhold records. We coordinate with agencies to narrow requests, structure redactions, and set realistic timelines. When denial persists, we file suit to compel disclosure or to block release of personal information that falls within recognized exemptions.
Protecting Privacy Across Washington
From government files in Tacoma to regional agencies in King and Thurston counties, these matters often move fast. Nigel Malden Law clarifies options, drafts strong objections or petitions, and helps you reach a practical outcome. If you need guidance today, please contact us for a consultation.