During the pandemic, many businesses decided to pivot their workforce to remote or hybrid work. In doing so, some companies implemented versions of a “Bring Your Own Device” (“BYOD”) program to allow employees to use personal devices to do their jobs. While there can be cost savings and employee flexibility benefits to such programs, they also come with inherent ...

During the pandemic, many businesses decided to pivot their workforce to remote or hybrid work. In doing so, some companies implemented versions of a “Bring Your Own Device” (“BYOD”) program ...

Effective since January 1, 2020, Washington’s statutory law governing noncompetition covenants (Chapter 49.62 RCW) has changed the legal landscape for employers, employees, and independent contractors in the state. This article highlights the key statutory provisions, and also briefly discusses the second component of the analysis: how courts determine whether enforcing the non-compete covenant is reasonable. Agreements Affected. The noncompetition covenant ...

Effective since January 1, 2020, Washington’s statutory law governing noncompetition covenants (Chapter 49.62 RCW) has changed the legal landscape for employers, employees, and independent contractors in the state. This article ...

  We congratulate six of our lawyers, including all of our firm’s partners, on their selection to the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Brandi Balanda, David Bruce, Duncan Manville, James Savitt, Michele Stephen and Stephen Willey have each been recognized for their excellence in Commercial Litigation. Four SBW lawyers were also selected for their outstanding work in ...

  We congratulate six of our lawyers, including all of our firm’s partners, on their selection to the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Brandi Balanda, David Bruce, Duncan ...

We are proud that all of our firm's partners – Brandi Balanda, Duncan Manville, James Savitt, Michele Stephen, and Stephen Willey - have each been selected to the 2023 Super Lawyers list. Brandi and Michele were additionally honored as among the top women lawyers in Washington, and Jim and Steve were again listed among the Top 100 Washington lawyers. ...

We are proud that all of our firm's partners – Brandi Balanda, Duncan Manville, James Savitt, Michele Stephen, and Stephen Willey - have each been selected to the 2023 Super ...

The California Supreme Court handed down its much-anticipated decision in Kuciemba v. Victory Woodworks, Inc., holding that an employer cannot be liable for injury to an employee’s spouse when the employee transmits their workplace-acquired COVID infection to their spouse.  The Court’s decision, on public policy grounds, is a lifeline for California employers who faced substantial litigation risk and cost ...

The California Supreme Court handed down its much-anticipated decision in Kuciemba v. Victory Woodworks, Inc., holding that an employer cannot be liable for injury to an employee’s spouse when the ...

Initiative 502 legalized the production, sale and possession of recreational marijuana in Washington—subject, of course, to numerous restrictions. For example, RCW 69.50.369(2) generally limits marijuana retailers to no more than two exterior advertising signs of no more than 1,600 square inches apiece. WAC 314-55-155(2)(a) echoes these constraints.  In Plausible Products, LLC v. Wash. State Liquor and Cannabis Bd., King ...

Initiative 502 legalized the production, sale and possession of recreational marijuana in Washington—subject, of course, to numerous restrictions. For example, RCW 69.50.369(2) generally limits marijuana retailers to no more than ...

This morning SCOTUS ruled that the Lanham Act provisions regarding trademark infringement do not have extraterritorial reach - the alleged infringing “use in commerce” must be domestic. As Justice Jackson’s concurrence highlights, the nature of global commerce means that even this attempted bright line standard likely won’t function as one. What is clear, is that the Lanham Act will ...

This morning SCOTUS ruled that the Lanham Act provisions regarding trademark infringement do not have extraterritorial reach - the alleged infringing “use in commerce” must be domestic. As Justice Jackson’s ...

Last month we discussed how the rapid adoption of ChatGPT and its work-related usage may create new risks for businesses regarding the confidentiality requirements to establish trade secret protection. This article highlights another way that generative AI may change the trade secret landscape:  it may redefine what constitutes novelty and how to prove it. Under Washington law, a party ...

Last month we discussed how the rapid adoption of ChatGPT and its work-related usage may create new risks for businesses regarding the confidentiality requirements to establish trade secret protection. This ...