Books

What You Need to Know About Washington’s Silenced No More Act

On March 24, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law the Silenced No More Act, greatly restricting the scope of nondisclosure and nondisparagement provisions that employers may enter into with employees who either work or reside in Washington state. Effective June 9, the new law prohibits employers from requiring or requesting that an employment agreement contain a provision: “Not to disclose or discuss conduct, or the existence of a settlement involving conduct, that the employee reasonably believed under Washington state, federal or common law to be illegal discrimination, illegal harassment, illegal retaliation, a wage and hour violation, or sexual assault, or that is recognized as against a clear mandate of public policy….” However, employers will still be able to enter into agreements that (1) prohibit the disclosure of the amount paid in a settlement agreement; and (2) protect “trade secrets, proprietary information, or confidential information that does not involve illegal acts.” An employer that violates the law can be found liable in a civil action for “actual damages or statutory damages of $10,000, whichever is more, as well as reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.”

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Lady Justice

Essential Tips for Renewing Your Law License in Washington

On any given day, the WSBA Service Center can generally answer calls on demand, in most cases providing answers to questions after a few minutes on the phone. But as the licensing deadline approaches, wait times increase as members rush to complete the requirements to renew their license. That is especially true this year as the WSBA will be reviewing more MCLE reported credits than usual. Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Washington Supreme Court ordered a one-year extension of MCLE reporting for licensed legal professionals in 2018–2020 reporting period. This post offers a few essential tips to improve your license renewal experience and to help you avoid any last-minute issues.

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patient law school

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.

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National Public Defense Week

10 Good Reasons to Honor Public Defense This Week

Besides March Madness, the third week of March 2017 marks other noteworthy occasions. Among these, according to Google, are: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week, Brain Awareness Week, Girl Scout Week, and Public Defense Week. The value of the first three are self-evident: Breathing. Thinking. Thin Mints. But why public defense? Isn’t it already inclusively acknowledged in National […]

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Listening Tour map

Join us for the 2016 WSBA Listening Tour

On June 1, WSBA Executive Director Paula Littlewood and I, WSBA President Bill Hyslop, will begin the 2016 WSBA Listening Tour. We’ll spend time with members in Bellevue, Moses Lake, Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, Pullman, and Spokane. Together these stops encompass the East King, Grant, Benton-Franklin, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Spokane county bars.

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Law Day 2016 logo

Learn About Law Day — May 1

This year marks the 50th anniversary of what may be the nation’s best-known U.S. Supreme Court case, Miranda v. Arizona. The 2016 Law Day theme, “Miranda: More than Words,” will explore the procedural protections afforded to every American by the U.S. Constitution, how these rights are safeguarded by the courts, and why preserving these principles […]

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Volunteering ideas for lawyers

The Spirit of Giving: Volunteer Ideas for Lawyers

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” -Mahatma Gandhi It’s the time of year when many people think about giving back. And according to Psychology Today, giving isn’t just theoretically better than receiving – it’s been scientifically proven. In the spirit of giving, we give you some […]

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Signing tax forms

Friday 5: Tax Time

As the end of the year approaches, everyone knows what that means: tax time is just around the corner. Because most taxpayers operate on a calendar basis, it is important to consider your upcoming tax situation before the year ends, while it’s not too late for “damage control.”

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