Recent News

Let’s say Mr. X owes you an overdue balance under a contract in Washington. Let’s say that debt is unsecured, e.g. a past-due promissory note with no collateral. Until a few weeks ago, that unsecured debt was actually… kind of secured? Yes. Under RCW 6.25.030(10) and RCW 6.26.010(1), you could sue Mr. X and immediately… Read More

Lawyers and non-lawyers alike often get confused between legal documents which constitute personal liability and legal documents which secure the debt.  When you get a mortgage on your house or other property, the most common set of documentation included in the loan will include a promissory note and a deed of trust.  The promissory note… Read More

July 13th, 2023 Attorney Ryan J.P. Dyer discusses insurance disputes 101. Read More

The restaurant industry is one of the more heavily regulated sectors of business. As a restaurant owner, it is critical to be aware of the laws that affect your business’s operation.  This article provides an overview of the legal concerns that are likely to affect any restaurant, from the corner deli to the most upscale… Read More

In Washington State, real estate brokers may represent buyers and sellers on opposite sides of the same transaction. These agents function as “dual agents.”  I will openly admit my own immediate anxiety at the prospect of dual agency. I believe that in most cases, buyers and sellers would benefit from having their own independent brokers,… Read More

Generally speaking, making defamatory statements about people can subject you to liability, though there are some procedural considerations for plaintiffs seeking damages (see my prior blog post here. In the context of litigation, American courts have long recognized a “litigation privilege” which generally insulates litigants from liability for statements made in the course of litigation. … Read More

Individuals who co-own real property often do so in a variety of different arrangements. They may own community property as a married couple. They may have purchased real estate as tenants in common with siblings or friends, with each retaining their independent right to sell their own interest. They may own real property as joint… Read More

Someone has been spreading lies about your business and suddenly you’re seeing a decrease in sales or some of your most trusted vendors and partners no longer want to work with you.  Maybe this awful liar is communicating directly with your customers and vendors, or maybe they are posting untrue “reviews” online.  Either way, what… Read More

Most people have heard of probate, but many don’t know exactly what it is and why it is important.  Probate is the court process of settling and distributing the assets and liabilities of a deceased person’s estate.  Some assets are able to pass to heirs or beneficiaries without having to go through the process- those… Read More