You have your shit together—that’s what you tell yourself. Some days you may even believe it for a few minutes. Most attorneys manage to at least give others the appearance that they have their act together. But internally many feel like they are holding on by a thread. And in a profession where vulnerability is […]
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Washington Evidence Rule 904 was amended effective Sept. 1, 2026, to remove its catch-all provision, previously permitting the admission of various documents based on trustworthiness. The amendment introduces specific categories of admissible documents, addressing concerns about the broad usage of the rule since its adoption in 1992.
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Lawyer, prolific WSBA volunteer, baseball afficionado—now Kari Petrasek can add WSBA president to her bio. As WSBA president, Petrasek plans to focus on advancing and implementing the WSBA’s strategic goals, and she is especially passionate about continuing to find ways to support rural practitioners and to strengthen public trust and confidence in the legal system. […]
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In September 2026, courts in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho dealt with cases involving fake citations generated by AI tools used by pro se litigants. Judicial frustration arose over these fabricated citations, diverting resources from case merits. Courts emphasized that accuracy in legal arguments is mandatory for all litigants, underscoring the importance of verifying citations.
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The new issue of Bar News celebrates the APEX Awards, honoring outstanding professionals across 11 categories. This issue also features stories of impactful individuals, discussions on public defense challenges, and covers key legal updates, including new probate laws and insights on legal citation and practice management.
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The “lawyer-witness” rule, RPC 3.7, disqualifies a lawyer from trial counsel if they are a necessary witness, to prevent jury confusion. A recent Seattle court case, Fisher v. Boeing, clarified that disqualification isn’t automatic; the moving party must show the lawyer holds unique material evidence. Otherwise, the firm may continue in representation.
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A federal court in Tacoma excluded an expert in LeDouxx v. Outliers, Inc. due to AI-generated “hallucinated” citations that compromised credibility. The court previously sanctioned the plaintiff’s lawyer for numerous inaccurate citations. This ruling emphasizes the necessity for accurate citations in expert reports and prudent discussions regarding AI tool usage in legal contexts.
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The Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) define disqualification law, while procedural aspects are shaped by courts. In a Seattle case, the court denied a disqualification motion because the moving party lacked standing, as they were never a client of the opposing counsel. The ruling highlights the significance of procedural law in disqualification cases.
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