Wine is a very fragile product that can be damaged by heat, light, physical damage to bottles, or even during the bottling process itself. The damage suffered by a Washington cult winery during bottling underscores the importance of obtaining proper insurance. Cayuse Vineyards recently sent an email to its customers informing them that “during bottling […]
Helsell
The Awful Agreement
It’s an exciting moment. You’ve finally decided to do it. You and your friends are going to form a limited liability company and start your own business. You’ve put a lot of thought into this, crunched the numbers, and weighed the risks. It’s time. Once that decision is made, delays become painful. You’re ready now. […]
Seven Words that Scare Me
“Let me tell you what I did….” Nothing scares me more than hearing this from a client. I know that’s not the case for all of my fellow attorneys. In fact, I’m sure that it’s a litigator’s favorite phrase. For me, a transactional guy, however, it usually means trouble. Let’s face it, some things are […]
Gender Identity No Longer Protected Under Title VII
Following close on the heels of other Obama administration-era rollbacks (see Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s recent announcement rescinding prior guidance as to the standard of proof to be applied under Title IX), Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced yesterday that it is the Department of Justice’s position under President Donald Trump that it will no longer interpret […]
Liability for School Shootings
Recently, a 15 year old high school sophomore, fatally shot another student, Sam Strahan and wounded three others at Freeman High School in Rockford, Washington. The shooter brought a handgun and an assault rifle to school in a duffel bag he carried on to the school bus. The assault rifle jammed when he tried to […]
The Trump Administration Announcement to End DACA
On September 5, 2017, the Trump Administration announced the end of the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA. Since 2012, DACA granted nearly 800,000 eligible noncitizens (including about 18,000 people in Washington State) temporary protection from deportation; employment authorization; and permission to participate in the Social Security program. The people eligible […]
New Washington Paid Family Leave Measure (Not to Be Confused With Washington Paid Sick Leave)
Beginning in 2020, workers in Washington State will be eligible to receive paid time off for the birth or adoption of a child or for serious medical conditions. This new measure is not to be confused with the State paid sick leave which was approved by initiative last year (we know these rapid-fire changes can […]
The Enjoined DOL Overtime Rules Have Been Struck Down
Back in November, we reported that a federal judge in Texas issued an injunction blocking the implementation of the Department of Labor’s new overtime rules (the rules increased the minimum salary threshold for overtime exemption). The rules were set to become law on January 1, 2017 but the injunction still applied at that time so […]
Court of Appeals Blocks Uber, Lyft and Other For-Hire Drivers from Unionizing
On August 29, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit temporarily blocked implementation of a City of Seattle ordinance that would allow Uber and Lyft and other for-hire drivers to unionize and negotiate contract terms. The injunction follows a district court judge’s order dismissing one of two companion cases that challenged the […]
Workplace Compliance: I-9 Guidance for Employers of DACA Recipients
On June 15, 2012, President Barack Obama issued an executive order called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Since 2012, DACA has allowed nearly 800,000 eligible noncitizens who were brought to the U.S. as children to apply for two years’ protection from deportation/removal, as well as employment authorization. While the future of DACA is still […]