Recent News

It can be very exciting to start a new business. Perhaps you have started your new company with a friend or you and your spouse have started a business with another couple. Whoever your partner is, the majority of these types of small businesses are split 50/50 between the parties. You are now a 50%… Read More

In most for-profit corporations, the Board of Directors must focus on maximizing the economic value of the corporation for its shareholders.  Directors are potentially liable for breach of their duties to shareholders if they give priority to one or more social purposes over maximizing value for the shareholders.  In 2012, Washington joined a short list… Read More

Recently, a Manhattan federal judge upheld a $5 Million arbitration award against Miss Pennsylvania for remarks she made claiming the Miss USA beauty pageant, which is owned by Donald Trump, was rigged. Several lessons can be learned from the ruling upholding Mr. Trump’s arbitration award. First, and most importantly, never ignore an arbitration notice or… Read More

The Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, recently reaffirmed the longstanding legal principal that a contract which is illegal is void—that is, the contract is null from the beginning and unenforceable by either party.  The referenced case is Bankston v. Pierce County, Cause No. 42850-4-II, decided May 21, 2013. 2013 Wash App. LEXIS 1228.… Read More

Most people know they should have a contract with their business partners.  But too often, they try to perform the legal drafting themselves, or they use a form inapplicable to their specific partnership.  Usually, such contracts do more harm than good.  Most small businesses form as LLCs in Washington, and rightfully so.  By far the… Read More

You borrow money to buy or refinance your home.  Your lender takes a deed of trust on your home as collateral.  Some time goes by and you pay off the loan or refinance it with a new lender who also takes a deed of trust on your home as collateral.  More time goes by and… Read More

The Washington State Court of Appeals reversed the decision of the Superior Court granting a civil anti-harassment order against the appellant, which prohibited the appellant from the use and enjoyment, her real property.  The property, a beachfront home, was owned by several members of the same family, including the appellant.  Following a series of alleged… Read More

Just days after a Port Angeles man made national news by demolishing his neighbor’s home and flattening his neighbor’s truck, along with damaging several other homes, media outlets are reporting that the bulldozer-wielding man “was angry about a longstanding dispute over a property line and fence.” Lawyers at Beresford Booth have extensive experience in resolving… Read More

For a secured transaction under the Uniform Commercial Code (the “UCC”) starting on July 1, 2013, it is a lot.  It could mean the difference between success and failure.  Article 9 of the UCC (Article 9A in Washington) governs the creation of most security interests in personal property.  In most cases, a financing statement must… Read More