Recent News

The United States Court for China: A Forgotten Chapter in Ninth Circuit History

Washington State Litigation Lawyer Marc Rosenberg | 9/16/2026
After the fall of the Empire in China in 1912, and before the takeover of China by the Communists in 1949, there was a period in which a number of warlords controlled different areas of China.  The United States felt that there was a need for certainty in the dealings of its citizens abroad therefore,… Read More

If We Ignore it, Will It Go Away? – A Cautionary Tale of Timeliness

Washington State Litigation Lawyer Marc Rosenberg | 9/16/2026
Under Washington State law, failing to act in a timely manner at any stage of a lawsuit, from pre-suit initiation through active litigation to post-judgment proceedings, can carry severe procedural and substantive consequences. These consequences range from the absolute bar of a claim or defense to monetary sanctions, evidentiary exclusions, dismissal of the action, and… Read More

Why Earnouts Are a Heavily Litigated Feature of M&A Transactions

Washington State Business Lawyer C. Michael Kvistad | 8/31/2026
In small-market mergers and acquisitions (under $50,000,000), closing day feels like the finish line. The purchase agreement is executed, funds are wired, and both buyer and seller pause to celebrate a successful transaction. Yet with an earnout provision, closing day marks a beginning rather than an end. When part of the purchase price depends on… Read More

I’ve Been Subpoenaed for a Deposition – Now What?

Washington State Divorce and Family Law Lawyer Kelsey L. Affronte | 8/24/2026
Whether you are a party to a case or a potential witness, you may be required to answer the other side’s questions under oath. What is a Deposition? A deposition is like an interview: You are providing testimony under oath and that testimony is being transcribed (written down verbatim). Depositions are a form of discovery… Read More

Five Common TEDRA Disputes in High-Asset Estates

Washington State Litigation and Business Lawyer J Patrick Diener | 8/24/2026
For families with substantial wealth, estate planning is often designed to prevent disputes. Trusts are carefully drafted. Assets are placed into entities or trusts. Professional fiduciaries may be appointed to manage property. Succession plans are developed for family businesses. Yet even the best planning cannot eliminate one fundamental problem: people can disagree. When significant wealth… Read More

Derivative Actions: Pre-suit Demands and the Business Judgment Rule

Washington State Litigation Lawyer Taylor C. Dawson | 8/17/2026
Derivative lawsuits occur when a shareholder of a corporation or member of a limited liability pursues legal claims or relief on behalf of or for the entity’s benefit. There are strict procedural and substantive requirements that claimants must comply with before can bring a derivative lawsuit against a corporation’s executives or board members, or any… Read More

Every Successful Appeal Begins in the Trial Court

Washington State Litigation and Business Lawyer J Patrick Diener | 8/5/2026
Most people think an appeal begins when the losing party files a Notice of Appeal. In reality, the success of an appeal is often determined months, or even years, before that document is ever filed. That may sound surprising, but appellate courts do not hear new testimony, consider new evidence, or decide who they believe.… Read More

Can a Statute of Limitations Be Extended When Someone Dies? – Part 2: Deceased Defendant

Washington State Real Estate Lawyer Joshua G. R. Curtis | 7/20/2026
In my last post I discussed how a statute of limitations can be extended if a potential plaintiff dies before the expiration of the statute of limitations. This discusses the situation where a potential defendant dies before the expiration of the statute of limitations. RCW 4.16.200. As a refresher, RCW 4.16.200 does two different things.… Read More