Recent News

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

On May 20, 2025, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5408 into law, enacting important amendments to the state’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA). These changes, effective July 27, 2025, clarify employers’ obligations, adjust the available remedies for violations, and introduce a limited “notice and cure” period designed to reduce opportunistic litigation. Background… Read More

Washington state has some of the most employee-friendly wage and hour laws in the country, and meal break compliance is no exception. Employers who fail to follow the law correctly may face costly wage claims, class action lawsuits, and penalties imposed by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Below are some of… Read More

October 10th, 2024 Beresford Booth Attorney Dexter N. Bradford talks about Avoiding and Defending Workplace Discrimination Lawsuits Read More

As an employer in Washington State, you may wonder if you can withhold or deduct any amount from your employees’ wages for various reasons. For example, you may want to recover the cost of damaged equipment, a cash shortage, or a loan repayment. However, before you do so, you should be aware of the legal… Read More

June 13th, 2024 Beresford Booth Attorney Dexter N. Bradford talks about What is the Joint Employer Rule? Read More

Introduction The escalator principle is a concept that applies to the employment and reemployment rights of uniformed service members who take a leave of absence from their civilian jobs to perform military duty. The principle is based on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), a federal law that protects service members from… Read More

February 22nd, 2024 Beresford Booth Attorney Dexter N. Bradford talks about What to Know Before Your Employee Returns From Military Leave. Read More

If you are an employer who hires workers to perform services for your business, you need to know how to classify them correctly as either employees or independent contractors. This is not just a matter of preference or convenience, but a legal obligation that can have serious consequences if you get it wrong. The difference… Read More