MEET NATHAN

I was raised in Philadelphia by a Quaker elementary school teacher and a nurse-midwife. My parents’ commitment to helping others instilled in me a strong sense of social justice from a young age. My Quaker upbringing taught me strong values about fairness and the belief in second chances.

My path to law was shaped by these values, along with my experiences as a professional cyclist. At 19, I became one of the youngest professional cyclists in the country. Cycling taught me discipline, focus, and the importance of perseverance—qualities I carried with me to college at Colorado College, where I majored in Humanities, and later to law school at Seattle University.

Since moving to Seattle in 2006, I’ve built my life and career here. My first jobs were at REI and a local sailing magazine, but my passion for public service led me to law school, where I excelled in criminal law and volunteered at the Housing Justice Project. I went on to intern for the King County Prosecutor’s Office, clerk for federal judges in Seattle and Philadelphia, and practice law at firms like Davis Wright Tremaine. Along the way, I met my wife, a proud Ballard High School graduate, and together we’re grateful to be raising our two children in Rainier Beach.

In 2021, I left private practice to become a public defender, representing some of the most vulnerable members of our community. I’ve seen firsthand the inhumane conditions in our jails, the lack of meaningful rehabilitation, and the failures of our criminal legal system to address the causes of crime. I know what it means to hold people accountable while also offering them a chance to turn their lives around.

I also know how to win. Last year I won an award from the Washington Defenders Association for identifying, litigating, and winning a legal challenge to a law enforcement practice by the King County's Sheriff's Office. When presumptively innocent out-of-custody defendants appeared in court for arraignment, law enforcement would search, arrest, and jail them in violation of their constitutional rights—just to get their fingerprints and photographs. The trial court agreed with me and put a stop to this illegal practice which has affected 500 people each year in King County for the past 20 years.

As Seattle’s next City Attorney, I’ll bring a comprehensive approach to public safety. I’ll focus on prosecuting misdemeanor crimes that pose dangers to the public while pushing for evidence-based diversion programs for nonviolent offenders. I’ll work to reduce the backlog of cases, improve coordination with King County, and ensure that courts serve as connection points for treatment and reentry services.

On the civil side, I’ll prioritize enforcement of laws like Seattle’s wage theft ordinance that protects working people, while also advocating for a stronger victims’ compensation fund to provide meaningful outcomes for those affected by property crimes.

Seattle deserves a City Attorney who leads with experience, compassion, and a commitment to making real, lasting change. That’s why I’m running—to build a justice system that reflects our values, protects our communities, and offers everyone a chance to thrive.