Recent News

The recent outing of J.K. Rowling as the author of the mystery novel, “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, highlights the heightened necessity of a lawyer maintaining client secrets in the age of social media.  Apparently a London lawyer told his wife’s best friend about Rowling’s pseudonym, who then posted the information on… 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

On June 20, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in American Express v. Italian Colors Restaurant, holding that contract agreements that require arbitration and prohibit class-action claims are enforceable under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), even when the potential recovery is overshadowed by costs of individual arbitration.  The 5-3 opinion, which was authored… Read More

On April 17, 2013, the Hon. Richard A. Jones issued an order dismissing the majority of the pled claims in Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians v. Nelson et. al. Case No. 2:10-cv-00327-RAJ (W.D. Wash) (the “Order”).  A complete copy of the Order can be found here: [wpdm_file id=1] In February 2010, Plaintiff, the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians… 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

As summer approaches Pacific Northwest property owners come out of hibernation, into the sun, and inevitably begin dealing with repair and maintenance on their properties including their homes and condominiums.  Now is a good time to review your property’s weatherproofing and examine any areas where you may have had any water intrusion over the past… Read More

Washington State allows attorneys to appear for a limited purpose without having to hire or retain an attorney to handle your entire case.  In a legal proceeding, do you need assistance negotiating final orders, conducting mediation, or arguing a hearing?  Superior Court Civil Rule 4.2 allows attorneys to appear for a specific task, typically with… Read More

Always have an attorney’s fee provision in your controlling documents.  It seems like a simple concept to understand.  Repeat it now:  Always have a fee provision.  Without a fee provision, the party contemplating litigation only has to answer the question: “How am I going to pay my lawyer to pursue my claims in this case?”… Read More

When it comes to situations where you think you might need legal representation, sometimes hiring a lawyer is not always the answer.  However, sometimes it takes an initial consultation with an experienced lawyer to make the threshold determination of whether legal representation is necessary and/or the best course of action.  For example, a number of… Read More