Recent News

[NOTE: This blog entry originally published on September 3, 2026, has been updated to address new developments in the case.] The King County Superior Court’s recent rulings in favor of the plaintiff in an unfair competition business dispute (Elysian One, Inc. v. Evasick et al., No. 24-2-27142-2 SEA) will have a major impact on the… Read More

A cautionary example for Washington businesses: a "manager" title can still lead to overtime liability Many Washington employers assume that paying a salary and giving an employee a "manager" title is enough to treat the role as overtime-exempt. In practice, that assumption can be expensive. A recent lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for… Read More

I am familiar with lawsuits, but what is “discovery”? Many people generally understand that litigation usually arises from an individual’s grievance with another person. These grievances may also arise between business entities. The substance of these types of grievances can range from personal injury, defamation, trademark infringement, property disputes and everything in between. The way… Read More

It makes logical sense that any person considering litigation would be emboldened, possibly even motivated, by learning that a relevant statute allows for an award of attorney’s fees to the “prevailing party.” A common misconception is that such an award will automatically follow a favorable outcome in a lawsuit. As is often the case, Washington… Read More

IntroductionWhat happens after your company is the subject of a data security breach? Washington’s RCW 19.255 imposes specific obligations on employers following a security breach involving personal information. Employers must act swiftly to notify affected individuals and, in certain cases, the Attorney General. This post outlines those core responsibilities and compliance best practices.  Who Must Comply… Read More

A recent Washington State court of Appeals case looked at a dispute around an easement and if it were properly created and recorded in Solberg v. River Park Estates Property Owners Association, No. 40743-8-III (Wash. Ct. App. Div. III, Nov. 10, 2025). The Case: Erik and Megan Solberg bought their home in River Park Estates… Read More

Even the most careful lawyers can make mistakes during discovery. One of the most serious is the inadvertent disclosure of privileged or work-product material. When that happens, the consequences can be severe, including waiver of privilege, discovery sanctions, ethical violations, and the loss of client trust. An inadvertent disclosure happens when a party accidentally produces… Read More

On September 4, 2025, the Washington Supreme Court issued a major decision in Branson v. Washington Fine Wine & Spirits, LLC, clarifying employers’ obligations under the state’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA). The case addressed a simple but critical question: Who qualifies as a “job applicant” entitled to sue when an employer fails to… Read More

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