Recent News

While watching countless hours of March Madness over the past few weeks, you may have heard an announcer or commentator say, “the best offense is a good defense.”  The same can be said for civil litigation. This article explains how a person or entity can avoid some of the common pitfalls that often arise in… Read More

When some think about civil litigation, they think about what is often portrayed in shows and movies: lawyers examining witnesses and presenting arguments in front of a judge or jury at trial. In reality, trials in civil matters are rare. The reasons why the vast majority of civil cases resolve before trial include the fact… Read More

Commercial and public works construction projects are notorious for delays and change orders.  These projects often occur over several months and years—especially for general contractors and vital subcontractors (e.g., steel erectors).  What may start as a few, reasonable changes and delays near the beginning of a project can often snowball and have ‘ripple effect’ near… Read More

An Overview and What the Insured Can Do in Response Many Washingtonians have at least one insurance policy that provides liability insurance, whether it be auto insurance, homeowners insurance, renters insurance, commercial general liability insurance, and/or other types of insurance. In response to a claim or lawsuit against its insured, an insurance company may issue… Read More

January 23rd, 2025 Beresford Booth Attorney Ryan G. Foltz talks about Dispute Resolution Alternatives Read More

Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is quickly becoming a part of our daily lives, but how helpful can it be in the context of a litigated dispute between neighbors concerning property rights? In 2023, ChatGPT gained widespread notoriety for its ability to assist with various tasks, for example review of massive amounts of data. This led some… Read More

Many are familiar with the general concept that a claimant must commence a lawsuit within a specific amount of time to maintain a viable cause of action.  This concept is often referred to as a “limitations period” or a “statute of limitations.”    Some may have heard or read that tort claims in Washington are… Read More

Too often, residential contractors (general, subs and trades) call my office inquiring about their legal rights after a problem has occurred.  More likely than not, the contractor calling has already performed most of the work or finished the project entirely.  Regardless of whether the issue is failure to pay, alleged defects, delay or change orders,… Read More

If you are in the construction or development business in Washington, it’s crucial to understand your legal rights and protections. One such protection is the mechanics lien, a powerful tool when clients fail to meet their financial obligations. For instance, suppose you own a limited liability company that builds and develops homes for property owners.… Read More