$100 bill

How Should Lawyers Handle Disputed Trust Account Funds?

Disputes over trust account funds present challenges for lawyers, especially when representing children whose parents paid for their services. Advisory Opinion 202503 provides guidance on managing these funds, emphasizing adherence to Washington State Rules of Professional Conduct. Key duties include maintaining disputed funds in trust and resolving conflicts through communication and legal action when necessary.

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The Washington Capitol in Olympia

Legislative Recap: What Lawyers Should Know About the 2024 Session

The Washington Legislature adjourned Sine Die after a 60-day session, with the WSBA Legislative Affairs team monitoring and acting on nearly 300 bills. Key bills include the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act and amendments to the Business Corporations Act. Legislation passed includes ending child marriage and creating a task force for studying artificial intelligence issues.

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The Washington Capitol in Olympia

WSBA Legislative Proposals

At its Nov. 3, 2023 meeting, the WSBA Board of Governors will consider two legislative proposals for Bar sponsorship.
Proposal from the Business Law Section. This proposal amends the Washington Business Corporation Act to replace the current RCW 23B.11 with a new chapter 11 that substantially mirrors the current version of the Model Business Corporations Act. The proposal also changes other sections of RCW 23B dealing with definitions, quorum, and voting requirements; removal of directors by shareholders; entity conversion; and other issues.
Proposal from the Real Property, Probate & Trust Section. This proposal eliminates the requirement that leases for more than one year must have the landlord’s signature acknowledged before a notary.
All feedback is welcome and can be sent to barleaders@wsba.org. Comments are also welcome during the Board meeting.

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Little girl selling her playhouse

FSBO: Win-Win for Consumers and Attorneys

There is value in a diverse new client funnel. Fundamental changes in technology have created new opportunities for lawyers. There is value in a diverse new client funnel. Fundamental changes in technology have created new opportunities for lawyers. There may be no better example than real estate. It starts with FSBO – For Sale by […]

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A gavel in a courtroom.

Court of Appeals Reiterates No Duty to Will Beneficiaries

Division I of the Court of Appeals in Reznick v. Livengood, Alskog, PLLC, 2016 WL 7470037 (Wn. App. Dec. 27, 2016) (unpublished), recently reiterated that will beneficiaries ordinarily do not have standing to bring a legal malpractice claim against the attorney who drew the will involved because they are not clients of the lawyer. In […]

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Washington Capitol

Week 8: WSBA-Sponsored Bills March On

The Legislature closes week eight with bills, bills, and more bills. Lawmakers in both chambers have been working late to pass legislation out of the House and Senate before next week’s critical cutoff date. Bills still moving include legal financial obligation reform, the Voting Rights Act, pro bono services for military service members, and many […]

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