Insight, Analysis, and Perspective for Businesses and Individuals

A client called me to ask how she could resolve a dispute with her business partner.  After 10 years of working together circumstances had changed.  They were no longer seeing eye-to-eye on business strategy and as 50-50 owners, their Company was in deadlock. They needed a separation. While a traditional lawsuit seeking dissolution of the […]

Legal notices are integral to exercising rights under contracts and must be sent timely and via an appropriate method in order to be valid.  These communications may include rent payments, default notices, termination notices, renewal notices, and other time-sensitive contractual communications and/or notices.  Postmarks are commonly used to determine when mail was sent and whether […]

Artificial intelligence (“AI”) continues to transform society in ways beyond imagination.   It is rapidly becoming clear that AI pervades every aspect of society, and criminal activity has been no exception.  AI is now reshaping the methods and scale of fraudulent activity. In 2024, Americans lost more than $158 billion dollars to Fraud and Scams according […]

As we elapse the quadricentennial of the 21st century and enter 2026, what is being called the “Great Wealth Transfer” is well underway. The Baby Boomer generation is noted for post-war perseverance, significant contributions to culture and politics like the counterculture movement, and of course: a workforce boom and economic prosperity. As the Baby Boomers […]

If you use names, images, or likenesses in your business, whether for advertising, endorsements, or creative projects, it is essential you understand Washington’s right of publicity laws. Here is what you need to know about how these laws work, who controls these rights, and how to stay compliant. Washington law recognizes that every individual has […]

The enforceability of noncompetition agreements is a widely debated topic in and outside of the legal world. In just the last year, it has been a repeat topic on the floor of the Washington state legislature. States across the county are seeing a trend toward the unenforceability of overly restrictive restraints on employees’ trade. Currently, […]

In Washington, sellers of commercial property are required to complete and timely provide a buyer with a seller disclosure statement (commonly known as the Form 17 Comm) containing specific information about the property pursuant to RCW 64.06.013. The seller disclosure statement is required for all transactions with a few exceptions which include, without limitation, foreclosures, […]

Per the U.S. Treasury Department announcement below, FinCEN is now dead except for some limited foreign entity reporting. Despite the many turbulent things happening in the U.S. government right now, this still came out of left field and is a bit surprising. We all know, however, that the political pendulum swings and suspect that, eventually, […]

In today’s complex litigation landscape, many individuals and businesses are turning to alternative methods to resolve disputes as a way to avoid the time, expense, and unpredictability of traditional lawsuit. Pre-litigation mediation has emerged as one method to resolve disputes before initiating a lawsuit. Engaging in pre-litigation mediation involves working with a neutral third-party mediator […]

Liens provide a means of recourse for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who have not been paid. In Washington, there are specific disclosure requirements that must be met before a licensed and registered contractor is able to record a valid mechanic’s lien for work performed on residential real property. It is imperative that both contractors and […]

In 2014, long before the pandemic spurred the proliferation of short-term residential home rentals like those offered through Airbnb and other services, the Washington Supreme Court in Wilkinson v. Chiwawa Community Associations addressed whether a homeowners’ association (“HOA”) exceeded its power to amend covenants when a simple majority of the homeowners voted to prohibit short-term […]

Minimum Wage Beginning on January 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Washington will go up to $16.66 per hour, up 2.35% from 2024.  In addition to the statewide minimum, various cities and counties have a dizzying array of higher minimum wages based on differing standards. City or County 2025 Minimum Wage Notes Seattle $20.76 SeaTac […]