n July 2018, the Seattle City Council passed an ordinance granting domestic workers—such as house cleaners, nannies, gardeners, and home attendants—basic worker rights that they have long been excluded from. This municipal ordinance has proven to be a model for other cities and will help shape the future of labor laws on a national scale.
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There’s a phrase you’ll hear a lot when you talk to people involved with Washington’s new Eviction Resolution Program (ERP): it’s a win-win-win. It’s a win for landlords who can recoup lost earnings from renters. It’s a win for courts ill equipped to handle what is expected to be an unprecedented crush of unlawful detainer cases (evictions). More than anything, it’s a win for the public, giving vulnerable renters desperately needed support with some of their basic survival needs as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt daily life.
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On Oct. 22, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched ReportFraud.FTC.gov, a new consumer-friendly fraud-reporting portal. Consumers can report anything from government imposter scams to phony weight-loss claims, abusive debt collection, and deceptive auto sales, along with all sorts of unwanted phone calls, text messages, and emails. And the FTC wants to hear about them all! Please help us spread the word and keep Washingtonians safe from scams.
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Recently, the Washington State Bar Association updated our Legal Directory — a searchable database of every legal professional in the state of Washington—to make it easier to use and with a few expanded features to provide additional information when you’re researching a lawyer. Read on to learn how to use the Legal Directory to find a lawyer and how to access additional resources to get connected with affordable legal help.
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This new law attempts to protect vulnerable youth by requiring law enforcement to connect a youth to a public defender after the youth has been Mirandized but before the youth waives their right to remain silent or talk to an attorney. Public defender Katie Hurley explains.
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A personal injury claim may or may not be protected if you file for bankruptcy and will depend on several factors discussed below. Often, consumers thinking about filing for bankruptcy have suffered some sort of personal injury or have been involved in an accident. This could be due to a loss of wages or the accumulation of various medical debts.
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Professional liability policies for lawyers and law firms often distinguish between disciplinary and malpractice defense. Some don’t cover disciplinary defense or, if they do, include a much lower coverage limit. A recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington underscored the practical impact of the distinction between disciplinary and malpractice coverage.
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Historically, most accessibility lawsuits concern inaccessible physical public accommodations. In recent years, the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)—which was passed 30 years ago this week—has brought the fight for civil rights to the internet.
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This year marks the 30th anniversary of the ADA. The passage of the ADA was a major milestone in the fight for civil rights of people with disabilities. People with disabilities banded together and forced Congress to pass legislation.
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Past experience informs us that the predicted eviction onslaught will more likely be a steady inundation of evictions on the civil dockets. Nonetheless, landlord-tenant practitioners and the courts will be navigating a rapidly evolving area of law. Here’s what you should know.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Jonathan Ko dives into the USDOT’s recently proposed changes to regulations for service animals on commercial flights. Spoiler: pigs actually wouldn’t fly.
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When working with clients who have social and economic issues, it’s important to know that you don’t have to navigate solutions alone.
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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.
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