Recent News

Generally speaking, wrongdoers are liable for the harm they cause when they breach legal duties.  But a plaintiff who sues over such wrongdoing must prove the existence of a duty, breach of that duty, causation, and damages.  Long enshrined in American common law is a principle known as superseding cause, which holds that the “chain… Read More

Art collecting is not just a passion; it’s a sophisticated pursuit that involves navigating a complex web of legal considerations. For art collectors and dealers in Washington State, understanding the legal landscape is crucial to safeguarding your valuable investments and ensuring ethical practices within the art community. In this article, we will highlight four legal… Read More

Sua sponte is Latin for “voluntarily.” In the legal context, sua sponte refers to issues that a court raises on its own, without the parties raising those issues. Which issues can the court raise on its own? And which can it not? The Washington Supreme Court tackled those very questions in the recent case Dalton… Read More

August 31st, 2023 Beresford Booth Attorney Caleb J. Tingstad talks about Minority Shareholder Oppression in Washington State. Read More

Though artificial intelligence (“AI”) remains a largely unknown quantity, AI continues to make huge strides into our daily lives. Even some lawyers venture to use AI in their practice, saving massive amounts of time and expense in the process. However, this post is an admonition to these courageous (yet, possibly foolhardy) lawyers who tread the… Read More

Let’s say Mr. X owes you an overdue balance under a contract in Washington. Let’s say that debt is unsecured, e.g. a past-due promissory note with no collateral. Until a few weeks ago, that unsecured debt was actually… kind of secured? Yes. Under RCW 6.25.030(10) and RCW 6.26.010(1), you could sue Mr. X and immediately… Read More

Lawyers and non-lawyers alike often get confused between legal documents which constitute personal liability and legal documents which secure the debt.  When you get a mortgage on your house or other property, the most common set of documentation included in the loan will include a promissory note and a deed of trust.  The promissory note… Read More

July 13th, 2023 Attorney Ryan J.P. Dyer discusses insurance disputes 101. Read More

The restaurant industry is one of the more heavily regulated sectors of business. As a restaurant owner, it is critical to be aware of the laws that affect your business’s operation.  This article provides an overview of the legal concerns that are likely to affect any restaurant, from the corner deli to the most upscale… Read More