Member Biography:

Thomas A. Carr
Seattle City Attorney

Tom Carr was elected Seattle City Attorney in November 2001 and took office in January 2002. He began serving his second four-year term in January 2006. Born and raised in New York City, Tom began his government service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, New York where he handled diverse civil matters, including RICO cases. He also advised government agencies on a wide range of public safety issues, similar to those he faces today as Seattle City Attorney. Tom moved to Seattle in 1991 and become partner in the law firm, Barrett Gilman & Ziker. Tom is a former board member of the King County Board for the Developmentally Disabled, Legal Services for the Homeless and a homeless shelter volunteer.

Tom is perhaps best known for his two-year term as Chair of the Elevated Transportation Company, the Seattle Public Development Authority charged with building an expanded monorail. He was a proponent of second monorail initiative and, acting on a pro bono basis, successfully sued to have the issue placed on the ballot. A daily Metro bus rider, Tom has also been active in Metro's planning efforts. In the early ‘90s he helped Metro draft its six-year transportation plan. He also served on the Metro Southwest Sounding Board, revising bus service in Southwest King County.

As Washington’s only elected City Attorney, and one of the few elected City Attorneys in the U.S., Tom retains an independent duty to provide unbiased legal advice to the Mayor and City Council members, and offer fair perspectives on City matters. While not intervening in policy development, Tom supports the City’s decisions, which are designed to meet the current and future needs of Seattle residents and businesses.

Tom lives in West Seattle with his wife of fifteen years and two children, ages nine and twelve. He is active in community affairs and coaches youth sports.