Blog


Kristy Ball

Buyer Beware is STILL the law in Washington

Real Estate, Uncategorized

Once again, Washington Courts have confirmed that “buyer beware” is STILL the law in Washington, as seen in the Court of Appeals, Division I’s, ruling in Apgood v. Plautz. The decision is “unpublished”, which means that it can be cited but is not binding.  In this case, Robert Apgood purchased a Stanwood home from Robert […]


Adriena Clifton

Understanding the Implications of Princeton Property Management, Inc. v. Allen

Landlord Tenant, Real Estate

IntroductionThe recent Court of Appeals decision in Princeton Prop. Mgmt., Inc. v. Allen seeks to strike a balance between the enforcement of settlement agreements in unlawful detainer actions and the protection of tenant rights under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA). Landlords and tenants alike must navigate these legal waters carefully. But in an age of […]


Sara Amies

A Surprise Unanimous Ruling on Title VII

Employment

On April 17, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an important ruling for employers. The bar for civil rights claims is now lower. After two lower courts ruled against an employee’s sex discrimination claim, the US Supreme Court unanimously disagreed. The plaintiff will have her claims heard by a jury of her peers.


Jenica Cassidy

Interpreting the impact of 2024 Washington State Guardianship & Conservatorship Legislation on Washington Hospitals

Guardianship, Trust and Estate Litigation

Washington hospitals facing the ongoing issue of dealing with “complex discharge” patients may have an even more fraught pathway forward following the 2024 Washington State Legislative Session. The passage of one bill (2SSB 5825[1]) and the failure to pass another (SB 5665[2]) may complicate the options hospitals have in meeting the needs of complex discharge patients who need a court-appointed guardian to help them transition out of the hospital.


Katherine Hekstra

Analysis and Impact of April 2024 Supreme Court Medical Malpractice Decision Estate of Essex v. Grant County Pub. Hosp. Dist. No. 1

Health Care

The Washington Supreme Court’s unanimous decision on April 11, 2024, in Estate of Essex v. Grant County Pub. Hosp. Dist. No. 1, No. 101745-6 significantly expands the scope of hospital liability and raises questions about the corporate practice of medicine doctrine. This opinion is bound to alter hospital claims for years to come.


Hannah Driscoll

New Investigators

Employment, Investigations

We are pleased to announce that Hannah Driscoll and Kristy Ball have earned the distinction of Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder (AWI-CH) from the Association of Workplace Investigations (AWI).  Accordingly, Hannah and Kristy have “demonstrated success at achieving the core knowledge and skills necessary to successfully perform impartial workplace investigations.” In order to obtain […]


Sebastian Toth

Navigating the Skies: Understanding Dry Lease Agreements in Aviation

Aviation

In the dynamic world of aviation, businesses often seek flexible and cost-effective solutions to meet their aircraft needs. One such arrangement that has gained prominence is the dry lease agreement. This contractual arrangement offers a unique set of benefits and challenges for both lessors and lessees, shaping the way companies approach fleet management. In this […]


Gregory Pittman

IRS Launches Audits on Business Aircraft Usage

Aviation, Taxation

Using funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the IRS has announced its intent to target the use of business aircraft by companies and high-income individuals. This initiative will specifically focus on the personal use of business aircraft, which can impact the qualified business use of aircraft for depreciation purposes, the deductibility of employer-provided flights, and […]


Katherine Hekstra

Analysis and Impact of Latest WA Supreme Court Medical Malpractice Decision M.N. & G.T. v MultiCare Health System, Inc.

Health Care

In a 5-4 decision on January 18, 2024, the Washington Supreme Court reversed both the Court of Appeals and the Pierce County Superior Court in M.N. & G.T. v MultiCare Health System, Inc., No. 101537-2 with holdings bound to make waves in the medical malpractice field related to class action lawsuits for personal injury cases. […]


Michael Spence

Senate Bill Proposes to Repeal Condo and HOA Laws

Real Estate

On January 17, 2024, the Senate Law and Justice Committee took testimony on SB 5796, a massive 193-page bill which proposes major changes to the law of condominiums, cooperatives and homes governed by a HOA.  In a nutshell, this legislation repeals existing condominium and HOA law in favor of the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership […]