Consumer Protection

Unemployment, Civil Legal Aid, and the COVID-19 Crisis

If the economic shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic was the earthquake, the mounting claims of unemployment and other legal issues are the coming tsunami.

by NWSidebar

Beware of Coronavirus Scams, Says Washington AG

We’ve seen it time and time again: Scammers preying on fear and panic. It’s an old and, sadly, often effective trick. When individuals are emotional, they’re more likely to go against their better judgment.

by NWSidebar

Are You Prepared for a Pandemic?

COVID-19, especially in Washington state, poses a threat on the legal profession and the world. We dive into the current circumstances and look at ways to prepare for pandemic.

by NWSidebar

Taming the Skies: What’s on the Itinerary for Service Animals and Airlines

Jonathan Ko dives into the USDOT’s recently proposed changes to regulations for service animals on commercial flights. Spoiler: pigs actually wouldn’t fly.

by NWSidebar

3 Community Resources Every Elder Law Lawyer and Their Clients Should Know About

When working with clients who have social and economic issues, it’s important to know that you don’t have to navigate solutions alone.

by NWSidebar

A New Standard for Overtime in Washington? State Looks to Expand Overtime Eligibility

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) recently filed a proposed rule that would dramatically increase the minimum salary required for employees to qualify for the white collar overtime exemptions.

by NWSidebar

Prescription Restriction: How Washington is Addressing Opioid Addiction

There is no shortage of alarming statistics when it comes to opioids. More people died from opioid overdoses in 2017, two per day, in Washington than in traffic fatalities.

by NWSidebar

A Short Guide to Workplace Medical Leave Laws

If you are a lawyer practicing with small-to-large businesses and corporations, you should know something about employment-related medical leave laws. Federal, state, and municipal laws apply to your business clients and employees. Some laws apply to almost every employer and some to just larger employers.

by NWSidebar

Navigating Inherent Bias in Social Security Law

In a perfect world, there’d be less need for the safety nets of Social Security, and no one who warranted disability would be denied because of administrative or subjective biases. This world isn’t perfect, though, and biases exist to the point where a whole industry has been formed to get unduly denied and disabled Americans […]

by NWSidebar

Court of Appeals Rules on Authority of Insurance Defense Counsel

Division II of the Court of Appeals recently addressed the authority of insurance defense counsel in an unusual scenario: where defense counsel had no contact with the insured throughout the course of the litigation involved. Kruger-Willis v. Hoffenburg, 198 Wn. App. 408, 393 P.3d 844 (2017), arose out of an automobile accident. The defendant drove […]

by NWSidebar

Court of Appeals Discusses Lawyer Web Advertising under the Consumer Protection Act

Since Short v. Demopolis, 103 Wn.2d 52, 691 P.2d 163 (1984), the business aspects of law practice have been subject to the Washington Consumer Protection Act. RCW 19.86.020 prohibits “[u]nfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce[.]” RCW 19.86.090, in turn, creates a private […]

by NWSidebar

Watch Out for Scams Spoofing or Targeting Attorneys

Recently, the WSBA has received several reports of scams either “spoofing” (pretending to be, or be from attorneys) or targeting attorneys. Some scams use an attorney’s or firm’s identity to extort money from victims, while others are sending ransomware directly to the attorneys.

by NWSidebar

Court of Appeals Reiterates No CPA Claims for Asserted Malpractice Alone

Since the Washington Supreme Court’s decision in Short v. Demopolis, 103 Wn.2d 52, 691 P.2d 163 (1984), the business aspects of law practice have been subject to the Consumer Protection Act, RCW Chapter 19.86. The CPA generally prohibits “unfair or deceptive acts or practices” in “trade or commerce” under RCW 19.86.020. Remedies under RCW 19.86.090 […]

by NWSidebar

Is Your Cellphone Subject to Public Records Act Disclosure?

The Washington Supreme Court on Aug. 17, 2015, issued its ruling in Nissen v. Pierce County, which ruled that the personal cellphone of a public employee, if used to conduct public business, is now subject to disclosure under the state’s Public Records Act.

by NWSidebar

What Your Clients Need to Know About Cyber Responsibility

Americans are increasingly concerned about the privacy of their personal data. For example, an ESET and Harris Interactive survey reveals an uptick in “cyber responsibility,” that can be defined as the ability of individuals to exercise certain levels of protection over their personal data. The survey reveals 4 out of 5 individuals surveyed have adjusted […]