Recent News

Don’t Block Your Ex – BIFF Them Instead

Washington State Divorce and Family Law Lawyer Kelsey L. Affronte | 8/27/2025
Divorce ranks among the top five most stressful life events, alongside the death of a loved one, job loss, and major illness. And when your ex is particularly difficult or high conflict, navigating this time can feel nearly impossible. Enter the BIFF Method: a powerful communication strategy designed to help you deal with high-conflict personalities… Read More

Probate is Hard Enough – Don’t Make it a Group Project

Washington State Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer Rachel J. Wright | 8/27/2025
They say a parent never has a favorite child—but let’s be honest… you probably do. You know the one: responsible, calm under pressure, didn’t “accidentally” set the garage on fire at age twelve. So why not just pick the kid who always ends up leading the group project anyway? Yet many parents can’t bring themselves… Read More

Uneven Ground: Pro Se Litigants Facing Represented Parties

Washington State Litigation and Real Estate Lawyer Zachary M. Smith | 8/26/2025
The Washington Court of Appeals’ decision, Zhi Feng v. Xiaoqiang Wu et al., addressed such a situation. In Feng, a real estate broker represented himself in a lawsuit and subsequent settlement negotiations following a failed real estate deal.  Ultimately, the real broker ended up with some costly unintended consequences.  Misunderstanding the language and terminology used… Read More

Standards of Review on Appeal

Washington State Litigation Lawyer Babak Shamsi | 8/26/2025
Last month, my colleague JP. Diener wrote an excellent article here outlining many considerations that a litigant must review before pursuing an appeal. As he noted, an appeal does not allow a claimant to fully re-argue the case or present new evidence. It is not the proverbial second bite at the apple. Instead, it often focuses on… Read More

Statutory Remedies and Protections in Commercial Lease Disputes

Washington State Real Estate Law Lawyer Babak Shamsi | 8/21/2025
I recently wrote a blog post here regarding some of the considerations involved for landlords and tenants in commercial leasing. The complex issues pertaining to commercial leasing can sometimes turn into disputes between the parties, and ultimately, litigation regarding the same. While the commercial lease itself will dictate most of the rights and remedies available to both… Read More

Failed Real Estate Deals: Key Lessons from a Recent Washington Case

Washington State Real Estate Lawyer William O. Kessler | 8/21/2025
Small oversights in contracts can lead to big problems. A new decision from the Washington Court of Appeals, Pacific Shoreline Properties, LLC v. First Liberty Bond, LLC, highlights some important risks for sellers. This case involved a failed sale of an apartment complex. The Court offers valuable insights for property owners who plan to sell. In… Read More

Congratulations to our Best Lawyers in America® 2026!

BeresfordBooth | 8/20/2025
Beresford Booth is pleased to celebrate several of our lawyers for their selection among The Best Lawyers in America® for 2026: David C. Tingstad, Partner and Chair of the Business, Mergers and Acquisitions Group, has been selected for his fourth time in Corporate Governance Law and Corporate Law; William O. Kessler, Partner and Chair of… Read More