Joe Mentor Jr.
Attorney
In 2000, Joe Mentor, Jr. founded Mentor Law Group to serve clients with issues related to water resources, land use, natural resource development, real estate transactions, non-profit administration and Indian law. Joe works with private sector businesses, public agencies, and Indian Tribes to achieve their legislative, policy, business and environmental compliance objectives.
Since 2001, Joe has been recognized as a “Super Lawyer” by Washington Law & Politics magazine. Joe has received the Highest Possible Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Martindale-Hubbell® PEER REVIEW RATINGS are an objective indicator of a lawyer’s high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from evaluations of lawyers by other members of the bar and the judiciary in the United States and Canada.
Selected Work Experience
- Founding Principal, Mentor Law Group, PLLC, Seattle, Washington (2000-present)
- Attorney, Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson, PLLC, Seattle, Washington (Associate Attorney, 1991-1994; Principal Attorney, 1995-2000)
- Assistant General Counsel, U.S. General Services Administration, Washington, D.C. (1990-1991)
- Republican Chief Counsel and Staff Director, U.S. Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C. (1987-1989)
- Legislative Counsel, U.S. Senator Daniel J. Evans, Washington, D.C. (1983-1987)
- Judicial Law Clerk, Justice James M. Dolliver, Washington Supreme Court, Olympia, Washington (1982)
Professional Activities
- Special Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Stevens County, Washington (2015-present)
- Special Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Skagit County, Washington (2000-2008)
- Attorney, Burns Paiute Tribe, Burns, Oregon (2009-present)
- Water Rights Attorney, Suncadia Master Planned Resort, Cle Elum, Washington (1996-present)
- Legal Counsel, Hood Canal Coordinating Council (1996-present)
- Legal Counsel, Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority (1993-2012)
- Facilitator, Elwha Restoration Citizens Advisory Committee (1995)
- Member, Government Affairs Council, Associated General Contractors of Washington (1991-2003)
- Member, Washington State Bar Association (Environmental & Land Use Law/Indian Law) (1991-present)
Education
- J.D., Washington and Lee University School of Law (1982)
- B.A., History, University of Puget Sound (1979)
Volunteer Activities
- Dan Evans Environmental Leader Award, Mainstream Republicans of Washington (2017)
- Board Chair, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition (2014-2016)
- Executive Committee Member and Board Member, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition (2007-present)
- Advisory Committee Member, Laird Norton Family Foundation Watershed Fund (2008-present)
- Project Manager, Steve Cox Memorial Park Renovation, King County Parks, White Center, Washington (2007-08)
- King County Parks Volunteer Hall of Fame (2008)
- President, Washington State Chapter, American Water Resources Association (2003-04)
- Director, Washington State Chapter, American Water Resources Association (2001-2005)
Admitted
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- State of Washington
- State of Oregon
- State of Arizona, pro hoc vice
Publications
- Speaker, Association of Washington Business, Rural Jobs Summit, Association of Washington Business (October 24, 2017)
- Co-editor, Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board Digest (2006)
- Co-author, Water Law Chapter, Washington Lawyer's Practice Manual, King County Bar Association (2004-present)
- Co-chair and Speaker, Resolving Interstate Water Conflicts Conference, Law Seminars International, Spokane, WA (September 22, 2009)
- Technical Program Co-chair, Annual Water Resources Conference, American Water Resources Association, Seattle, WA (2005)
- Speaker, University of Dundee International Specialty Conference, American Water Resources Association, Dundee, Scotland (July 2001)