Welcome to CSD Attorneys at Law

Established in 1984, CSD Attorneys at Law has a statewide practice based in Bellingham, Washington. We principally represent municipal governments, businesses, and the people who own and manage them. Our team of experienced attorneys quickly and efficiently provide our clients with high quality advice.

The firm was founded in 1984 by Steve Mura, who retired after years of service as a Whatcom County Superior Court judge.  Mr. Mura’s practice focused on businesses, municipalities, community associations, and litigation until he became a judge in 1992. In 1987, Frank Chmelik joined Mr. Mura after having obtained extensive trial experience as an officer in the U.S. Army JAG Corps and as an associate at a large Seattle law firm.

In 1993, Richard Davis left one of Seattle’s largest law firms and joined Mr. Chmelik.  His expertise in litigation and construction law helped expand the firm’s practice. In 1994, the firm completed the renovation of a historic brick warehouse in the Railroad Avenue business district and moved into its current location. The firm continued its growth, representing special purpose municipal governments, contractors, businesses, and community associations throughout Whatcom County and Western Washington.  In 1998, Jon Sitkin, a real estate and land use attorney, joined the firm and the name Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S. was adopted.

In the mid-2000s, Katherine Deets, Seth Woolson, and Holly Stafford joined the firm as associates and ultimately became the second generation of principal attorneys.  Over the years, the firm continued its steady growth while focusing its practice on issues facing its municipal and business clients.  That growth has seen fellow attorneys Peter Ruffatto, Todd Egland, Tim Schermetzler, and Matt Paxton join the ranks of principal attorneys.  The firm’s representation of municipal governments, participation in statewide conferences and industry groups, and steady growth resulted in the firm expanding to represent clients throughout all of Washington state.

In 2023, the firm changed its name to CSD Attorneys at Law P.S. While our name has changed, our highest priority remains our commitment to providing high-quality and cost-effective representation to our clients.  Our attorneys are regularly invited to speak at continuing legal education seminars and statewide conferences on a variety of topics including port districts, fire districts, employment, environmental, construction, community association, and estate planning.

CSD Attorneys at Law believes that the sum of our parts is stronger than our individual components.  Accordingly, our firm has a strong team environment which leverages the institutional knowledge that only comes from decades of legal experience in our numerous practice areas.