Mr. Van Gorder's involvement in land use and planning began immediately after graduating from college with his tenure as Assistant Director for Zoning with the Loudoun County, Virginia Department of Planning and Zoning (1973-75). After receiving his Master's Degree in City and Regional Planning from Harvard University in 1977, Chase worked for a planning consultant in Boston, Massachusetts and as the Senior Planner for the Windham Regional Planning and Development Commission in Brattleboro, Vermont.

During the period that Mr. Van Gorder worked as a professional planner, he lectured at Harvard University, Keene State (NH) College and the 1981 and 1982 Annual Vermont Environmental Law Conferences. He also served on state-wide commissions recommending a comprehensive re-write of Vermont's zoning enabling legislation and reviewing Vermont's farmland preservation efforts. Chase authored a guide for local communities to comply with the 1975 revisions to the Massachusetts Zoning Act. While in law school, he wrote a law review article concerning statutory procedures for the adoption of local land use regulations. He is a member of the American Planning Association and a Charter Member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

After receiving his law degree and relocating to Seattle, Mr. Van Gorder continued his involvement in land use and environmental law through his membership in the Land Use and Environmental Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association. Chase has represented clients seeking rezoning, environmental and subdivision approvals in Seattle, as well as development and permit approvals in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. He has represented both property-owners and citizen groups in real estate-related matters, including regulatory compliance, quiet title actions, enforcement of access easements, unlawful detainers, condemnation and property tax appeals. Chase spoke at the 1998 Mid-Year Meeting of the Real Estate Section of the Washington State Bar Association on enforcement of the Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act, RCW Ch. 59.20. Mr. Van Gorder served on the Bellingham Shoreline Master Program Citizen Advisory Committee in 1997-98 and is presently serving on the Bellingham Board of Adjustment.

Representative Client Areas:

Real Estate Transactions

• Defended sellers in misrepresentation lawsuits seeking rescission of sale and/or damages.
• Represented seller against claim of defective well installation.
• Drafted and enforced real estate lease-purchase agreements.
• Prosecuted and defended deed of trust and mortgage foreclosures.

Land Ownership Disputes

• Represented landowners in prosecuting quiet title action.
• Enforced restrictive covenants.

Real Property Taxes

• Defended non-profit corporation in a real estate tax dispute.

Real Property Development

• Represented a landowner challenging imposition of subdivision fees.
• Prepared and investigated "Latecomer Agreements" of extensions of public utilities.
• Represented landowners in conditional use applications.
• Represented landowners seeking relief from lot consolidation regulations.
• Represented neighbors opposing a variance application.

Landlord/Tenant Disputes

• Defended unlawful detainer actions.
• Represented tenants in landlord/tenant disputes.
• Represented tenants in breach of contract action against landlord.

Mobile Home Disputes

• Defended an eviction from mobile home park on pro bono basis.
• Obtained a permanent injunction against mobile home park owner preventing the closure of the park.

Representative Clients:

• Camp Brotherhood,`Inc.
• Tanner Manufacturing, Inc.