If you have health plan or similar insurance through your employer, you may encounter the term “ERISA” in the context of your benefits. The upshot is ERISA is a federal law that regulates most employer-provided benefit plans, like health insurance…

The Washington Supreme Court recently clarified the rules governing who may obtain a marijuana retail license. In Libby Haines-Marchel, et al. v. Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Board, the Supreme Court ruled that the Washington State Liquor and…

In Knutson v. Macy’s West Stores, Inc., et al, (75565-0-1)(December 11, 2017), the Court of Appeals Division I overturned a trial court ruling relating to a patron injured while riding on an escalator at the Bellevue Square Mall. Natasha Knutson and her…

What is a power of attorney? For many folks, a power of attorney, i.e., a legal document designating another person to act on your behalf as your “agent,” is a critical part of an estate plan or other legal arrangement. While it might seem…

Owners and renters of properties used as short-term rentals (e.g., Airbnb) should be mindful of the Seattle city council’s imminent action on proposed new short-term rental rules. On Monday, December 11, 2017, the Seattle city council is expected to vote…

Seattle is in a construction boom and many firms are engaged in large scale real estate construction projects. That often entails tax liability under Washington and Seattle sales tax and business and occupation (“B&O”) tax. But certain real estate…

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So you’ve had a loss – perhaps a tree fell on your house, your car was wrecked or you became injured or disabled – and it’s time to dust off that insurance policy to see if you’re covered. Maybe you already made a claim but your insurer denied it for…

Whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor is a critical distinction for employees and employers alike. For employees, the distinction can affect entitlement to overtime, breaks, legal protections and additional benefits. The…

In a recent unpublished decision, the Court of Appeals ruled on a business dispute between two former partners involving the business’ loss in the 2008 crash and one partner’s attempt to murder the other to collect insurance money. Dr. Michael King and…

The Washington Supreme Court’s recent En Banc ruling in Mikkelsen v. Public Utility District No. 1 of Kittitas County clarifies what an employee must allege in order to sue for illegal discrimination under Washington law. In that case, Kim Mikkelsen sued…

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed a $6.6 million jury verdict in favor of the plaintiffs, three police officers of Latino descent, against the City of Westminster’s police department. In Flores v. City of Westminster, the court…

On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, a Tacoma federal judge issued a ruling declining to block Washington’s anti-cyberstalking law, but expressed concerns the law may be unconstitutional. The plaintiff in the lawsuit alleges the law is unconstitutional because…

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…