The WSBA Board of Governors will assess a proposal from the WSBA Business Law Section to amend the Washington Business Corporation Act. This proposal aims to update board committee provisions and includes technical corrections. The Legislative Review Committee has unanimously recommended sponsorship for the upcoming legislative session, with a Board vote scheduled for Nov. 7-8.
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On September 27, 2024, Ryan Swanson Law mourned the loss of Joel Paget, a dedicated immigration lawyer and mentor for over five decades. Known for his legal expertise, warmth, and commitment to helping others, Joel played a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s immigration practice and positively impacted countless lives.
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In the October issue of Bar News, meet Sunitha Anjilvel, who made history as the first South Asian woman president of the WSBA and any U.S. state bar association. Her presidency emphasizes community and collaboration within the legal profession. The latest Bar News also features pro bono achievements, insights into patenting space inventions, and interviews with international legal professionals.
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A federal district court in Seattle ordered a lawyer to release a client’s file following a motion to compel. The court emphasized that under Washington RPC 1.16(d), the file belongs to the client, not the lawyer. The ruling reinforced WSBA advisory opinions regarding file transition obligations when a lawyer withdraws. The lawyer must comply within five days.
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Legal professionals take on a lot of responsibilities: advocate, community organizer, and the occasional shoulder to cry on. While much of what they do can go unnoticed much of the time, each year the WSBA recognizes and honors legal professionals from around the state who demonstrate exceptionalism. This year is no different. In our profile […]
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These are the questions behind a proposed pilot project to test entity regulation that is being advanced by leaders of the Practice of Law Board (POLB) and the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA). Under the Court’s guidance, the POLB has been working on this concept for years, and by the end of September 2024, they plan to present their proposal to the Court in the form of a draft order.
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Retired attorney Michael Goldenkranz reflects on his maternal grandfather’s significant role in securing rights for union members, despite suffering personal and professional repercussions. Facing corruption within the painters’ union, he risked his livelihood and physical safety to confront the financial wrongdoing. His legal battle set a precedent for challenging union officials, leaving a lasting impact.
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Knowing when to withdraw is often a difficult exercise. A recent decision by Division I of the Washington Court of Appeals in Seattle, however, underscored the risks of waiting too long. In Atlas Debt Holdings, LLC v. Seafood Express, LLC, 2024 WL 3650246 (Wn. App. Aug. 5, 2024) (unpublished), a law firm was careful not […]
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Your former client wants a copy of their file, but they haven’t paid you your fee. Do you have to give it to them? You’ve already given your client a copy of their file, but now they want it again. Do you have to give it to them one more time? Can you charge for […]
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The Washington Court of Appeals affirmed an order prohibiting a pro se party from contacting a represented opponent in Ryan v. Timmerman. The plaintiff, injured as a minor in a car accident, sued 14 years later as an adult. Despite requests to channel communication through their lawyer, the plaintiff and her father contacted the represented defendants, leading to court sanctions. The Court of Appeals upheld the prohibition on direct contact and the exclusion of the father’s testimony, citing the trial court’s broad case management authority. This case is an unusual application of the court’s inherent case management authority.
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The Washington Supreme Court has approved a new bar exam format and concept recommendations for additional pathways to attorney licensure, following 50 years of debate. The exam has historically disadvantaged marginalized groups. The latest issue of Washington State Bar News outlines the changes and features important legal topics, including risk management considerations for lawyers.
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The Alaska Supreme Court recently affirmed the dismissal of claims for legal malpractice and negligence brought by an estate beneficiary against the attorney for a prior personal representative. Guerra v. Wallace, 542 P.3 654 (Alaska 2024), involved a deceased entrepreneur’s estate that had “languished in probate for years.” Eventually, the personal representative was removed and […]
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Estate planning has evolved from a document-centric, standardized practice to a comprehensive, personalized approach. Clients now expect holistic, tailored solutions, open communication, and technology integration. Technology aids in customization, client education, and document automation. Washington attorneys can benefit from tools like Agile Estate Planning to enhance efficiency and client satisfaction.
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The Washington Court of Appeals upheld the distinction between “injury” and “damages” in a legal malpractice claim in the case of Gill v. Hillier, emphasizing that the statute of limitations begins when the party is injured, even if they do not yet know the full extent of their damages. The ruling serves as a crucial reminder for clients to take prompt action when they believe they have been harmed by a lawyer’s negligence.
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When you look at the current state of public defense in the state of Washington—indeed, nationwide—you will encounter words like “crisis,” “languish,” and “collapse.” Specifically, there’s a crisis in our public defense system in which many people are left to languish indefinitely without representation and without a fundamental corrective shift the system itself is under […]
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In Spokane, a day in the life of public defender Dustin Howie consists of power walking, comforting clients, and navigating a chaotic court system. He juggles a hefty caseload with his wife Alex, also a public defender. Although the office is well-supported, understaffing remains a problem, leading to overwhelming workloads. Howie supports the idea of reduced caseloads but questions the feasibility given funding constraints.
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