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Two recent decisions from the Southern District of New York and the Delaware Court of Chancery highlight a growing legal reality: interactions with generative AI tools are not shielded by traditional legal protections. Courts are increasingly recognizing AI chat sessions as third-party communications that are fully discoverable in litigation and, in some cases, powerful evidence […]
Washington has enacted sweeping changes to the enforceability of noncompetition agreements. House Bill 1155, effective June 30, 2027, will render most noncompetition covenants void and impose new compliance obligations on employers and businesses. Key Takeaways What Counts as a Noncompetition Agreement? The statute defines a noncompetition covenant broadly to include any agreement that restrains an […]
Citing a dramatic increase in large health data breaches, DHHS has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking for modifications to the HIPAA Security Rule to enhance cyber security protections for electronic protected health information (ePHI). Some of the major proposed changes include: new definition for “electronic information system“ new definition for “multi-factor authentication” and adding […]
Once again, Washington Courts have confirmed that “buyer beware” is STILL the law in Washington, as seen in the Court of Appeals, Division I’s, ruling in Apgood v. Plautz. The decision is “unpublished”, which means that it can be cited but is not binding. In this case, Robert Apgood purchased a Stanwood home from Robert […]
IntroductionThe recent Court of Appeals decision in Princeton Prop. Mgmt., Inc. v. Allen seeks to strike a balance between the enforcement of settlement agreements in unlawful detainer actions and the protection of tenant rights under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA). Landlords and tenants alike must navigate these legal waters carefully. But in an age of […]
On April 17, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an important ruling for employers. The bar for civil rights claims is now lower. After two lower courts ruled against an employee’s sex discrimination claim, the US Supreme Court unanimously disagreed. The plaintiff will have her claims heard by a jury of her peers.
Washington hospitals facing the ongoing issue of dealing with “complex discharge” patients may have an even more fraught pathway forward following the 2024 Washington State Legislative Session. The passage of one bill (2SSB 5825[1]) and the failure to pass another (SB 5665[2]) may complicate the options hospitals have in meeting the needs of complex discharge patients who need a court-appointed guardian to help them transition out of the hospital.
The Washington Supreme Court’s unanimous decision on April 11, 2024, in Estate of Essex v. Grant County Pub. Hosp. Dist. No. 1, No. 101745-6 significantly expands the scope of hospital liability and raises questions about the corporate practice of medicine doctrine. This opinion is bound to alter hospital claims for years to come.
We are pleased to announce that Hannah Driscoll and Kristy Ball have earned the distinction of Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder (AWI-CH) from the Association of Workplace Investigations (AWI). Accordingly, Hannah and Kristy have “demonstrated success at achieving the core knowledge and skills necessary to successfully perform impartial workplace investigations.” In order to obtain […]
In the dynamic world of aviation, businesses often seek flexible and cost-effective solutions to meet their aircraft needs. One such arrangement that has gained prominence is the dry lease agreement. This contractual arrangement offers a unique set of benefits and challenges for both lessors and lessees, shaping the way companies approach fleet management. In this […]