A significant statutory update regarding the resolution of employment-related claims, disputes and lawsuits, RCW 49.44.211, went into effect on June 9,  2022.  The new law amends the 2018 law prohibiting employment agreements from including non-disclosure provisions related to details or allegations of sexual harassment and assault. The amended statute now applies to settlement agreements and independent contractor agreements, in ...

A significant statutory update regarding the resolution of employment-related claims, disputes and lawsuits, RCW 49.44.211, went into effect on June 9,  2022.  The new law amends the 2018 law prohibiting ...

A recent decision by Division Three of the Washington Court of Appeals has cleared the way for parties to challenge local land use decisions anywhere in the state, regardless of where the underlying property is located.  In Glenrose Ass'n v. Spokane Cty., No. 38376-8-III, 2022 Wash. App. LEXIS 1171 (Ct. App. June 7, 2022), a three-judge panel reversed the ...

A recent decision by Division Three of the Washington Court of Appeals has cleared the way for parties to challenge local land use decisions anywhere in the state, regardless of ...

Since its adoption by the United States Supreme Court in 1796, the “American Rule” has been a bedrock principle of American law.1 The basis for the rule is the idea that it promotes access to the courts: potential litigants may be discouraged from pursuing their claims if losing would mean they had to pay the other side’s attorney’s fees. ...

Since its adoption by the United States Supreme Court in 1796, the “American Rule” has been a bedrock principle of American law.1 The basis for the rule is the idea ...

Court systems across the country are on indefinite hold.  The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington has continued all in-person civil and criminal proceedings scheduled to occur before August 3, 2020 pending further order of the Court.[1]  In Washington state courts, all civil and criminal jury trials are suspended until at least July 6, 2020.[2]  The ...

Court systems across the country are on indefinite hold.  The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington has continued all in-person civil and criminal proceedings scheduled to occur ...

Earlier this week, Governor Inslee issued a proclamation (akin to an executive order) that imposed a temporary moratorium on garnishments of wages and other income to collect judgments for consumer debt throughout Washington.  The proclamation temporarily prohibits garnishments of wages and other income to collect judgments for consumer debt until 11:50 PM on May 14, 2020.  Violation of the ...

Earlier this week, Governor Inslee issued a proclamation (akin to an executive order) that imposed a temporary moratorium on garnishments of wages and other income to collect judgments for consumer ...

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington has revised its Local Civil Rules effective January 1, 2020.  The changes to the rules themselves are modest; perhaps more important to the Western District bar are the changes to the District’s Model Agreement Regarding Discovery of Electronically Stored Information and Proposed Order (the “Model Order”).  In many federal ...

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington has revised its Local Civil Rules effective January 1, 2020.  The changes to the rules themselves are modest; perhaps more ...

When a company hires senior employees, it may invest a great deal of time and money training them.  Employees also may receive access to confidential client lists, relationships with customers and vendors, or proprietary business information.  So what happens when employees move on, taking that training and knowledge with them?  Ex-employees sometimes are uniquely positioned to open up a ...

When a company hires senior employees, it may invest a great deal of time and money training them.  Employees also may receive access to confidential client lists, relationships with customers ...

Will banning certain non-compete agreements protect employees and foster competition?  Washington state legislators and Governor Inslee think so. Non-compete agreements raise policy issues regarding the balancing of legitimate business interests with a worker’s right to freely seek employment—a right that some argue is increasingly important in the growing gig economy.  Like many states, Washington courts have stricken that balance ...

Will banning certain non-compete agreements protect employees and foster competition?  Washington state legislators and Governor Inslee think so. Non-compete agreements raise policy issues regarding the balancing of legitimate business interests ...