On October 2, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court heard argument in three consolidated cases that could significantly alter employment law nationwide. The three cases, Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis, Ernst & Young LLP v. Morris, and National Labor Relations…

In its September 25, 2017 published decision in Cuesta v. State, No. 75405-0-I, the Court of Appeals ruled an employee who was terminated for falsely marking aircraft components as inspected was ineligible for unemployment benefits. Jose Cuesta was…

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled in favor of an insured in a dispute over coverage under an ERISA-governed benefits plan. In Salyers v. MetLife, Case No 15-56371 (September 20, 2017), the court applied the federal common law of agency to…

The litigation of Domestic Violence Protection Orders are an important role that the Court plays. These are the most protective (non-criminal) orders that a person can obtain. These orders assists victims of domestic violence in breaking the cycle, and…

Three recent lawsuits show the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) is taking a hard look at suspected pregnancy discrimination. Since late August, the EEOC has sued three employers claiming they discriminated against pregnant…

View CNN's article here: http://money.cnn.com/2017/09/07/technology/business/equifax-data-breach/index.html

In Schoenfelder, et al v. Larson (No. 48885-0-II), the Court of Appeals Division II recently addressed a situation involving several neighbors and a private roadway. A group of neighbors used a private road for access to their properties. Although the…

In its recent published opinion in Elliott Bay Adjustment Co., Inc. v. Caren Dacumos, the Washington Supreme Court confirmed the right of a debtor to collect attorneys’ fees in defending a meritless debt collection action in small claims court (i.e., in…

In its recent published opinion in Schroeder v. Haberthur, the Washington Court of Appeals, Division Three, held that growing and felling timber is not “farming” under the Deed of Trust Act (“DTA”), construing the DTA using definitions found in the…

If you received a robocall offering you a free cruise from 2009 to 2014, you may be entitled to a settlement up to $900. Click here for a full link to the article or see the link below…

Case Law Update: Injuries from assault not an “accident” and not covered by insurance In a recent unpublished decision, the Washington Court of Appeals (Division 1) addressed whether injuries caused by an intentional assault would be covered under an…

Seattle Legislation Update: The Seattle City Council is considering passing an ordinance which would prohibit landlords from screening prospective tenants based on criminal histories (except for registered sex offenders). The proposed ordinance will be…

We are very pleased to announce that McKean J. Evans has joined Pivotal Law Group as an associate attorney. McKean has recently moved to Seattle from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his fiancé, a native of the Pacific Northwest. He is excited about moving…

By: McKean Evans

The Washington State Court of Appeals (Division I) recently found the owner of a law firm operating as a sole proprietorship liable for debts incurred by his predecessor Limited Liability Company in Columbia Bank v. Invicta Law Group and Mark Jordan…

In a recent unpublished decision by the Court of Appeals (Division III), Ramm v. Farmers Insurance Company (No. 34542-4), the court addressed whether or not a person who falls partially out of a vehicle while parked and is injured is entitled to Personal…

On Wednesday, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law a measure promising to cover workers' income when taking time off for the birth of a child. Washington will become the fifth state to offer such protections. Washington's new law, which takes effect in…

In a recent case before Division II of the Washington Court of Appeals, Herring v. Pelayo (No. 48786-1-II), the court revisited the “boundary tree” doctrine established by the Happy Bunch, LLC v. Grandview case, 142 Wn. App. 81 (2007), and harmonize it…

On Monday, the Seattle City Council voted unanimously to require that Seattle landlords give tenants voter registration information as part of an already required information packet on housing laws. Studies have shown that people on the move vote at…

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses. Here's the latest update residents of Washington need to know. Washington's standard driver's license/identification card…