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 […]
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IRS Launches Audits on Business Aircraft Usage
Using funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the IRS has announced its intent to target the use of business aircraft by companies and high-income individuals. This initiative will specifically focus on the personal use of business aircraft, which can impact the qualified business use of aircraft for depreciation purposes, the deductibility of employer-provided flights, and […]
Analysis and Impact of Latest WA Supreme Court Medical Malpractice Decision M.N. & G.T. v MultiCare Health System, Inc.
In a 5-4 decision on January 18, 2024, the Washington Supreme Court reversed both the Court of Appeals and the Pierce County Superior Court in M.N. & G.T. v MultiCare Health System, Inc., No. 101537-2 with holdings bound to make waves in the medical malpractice field related to class action lawsuits for personal injury cases. […]
Senate Bill Proposes to Repeal Condo and HOA Laws
On January 17, 2024, the Senate Law and Justice Committee took testimony on SB 5796, a massive 193-page bill which proposes major changes to the law of condominiums, cooperatives and homes governed by a HOA. In a nutshell, this legislation repeals existing condominium and HOA law in favor of the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership […]
Common Pitfalls of Workplace Investigations
When issues arise with employees in any workplace, increasingly workplace investigations are used as both a risk management tool for employers as well as to develop and understand the “facts” of what transpired that caused the issue. When conducted properly, workplace investigations resolve disputes, uncover misconduct, protect employees, and protect employers from liability exposure. When […]
Helsell Fetterman Presents Caselaw Update at Annual WHCRMS Conference
Our health care team is proud that we’ve been invited to present a case law update at the upcoming Washington Health Care Risk Management Society’s (WHCRMS) 39th Annual Conference on June 9, 2023. It’s been a busy year for health care in Washington courts. Dave Corey, Rabia Ahmad, and Jenna Mark will provide comment and […]
Legislature Passes Landmark “Middle Housing” Bill
On May 8, 2023, Governor Inslee signed HB 1110, commonly known as the “Middle Housing Bill”. The Middle Housing Bill represents the culmination of years of advocacy by groups concerned about the affordability of housing in Washington State, especially the Puget Sound. The Middle Housing Bill strongly encourages “middle housing”, which includes 2 to 6- […]
Supreme Court Voids One-Year Builder Warranties
On October 27, 2022, the Washington Supreme Court pronounced in a 5-4 ruling that the one-year builder warranty was “substantively unconscionable and, therefore, void and unenforceable” because it deprived the home buyer of the 6-year statute of limitations for construction defects contained in RCW 4.16.310[1], benefited the builder, was not set out prominently in the […]
Important Considerations for Seeking a Vulnerable Adult Protection Order in Washington State
In Washington State, there are six types of civil protection orders which are aimed at protecting specific classes of individuals in unsafe and particularly susceptible situations. These situations include those involving: Domestic Violence; Sexual Assault; Stalking; Harassment; Extreme Risk with firearms; and Vulnerable adults who face threats of physical/mental/financial harm. These different types of civil […]
Washington’s New Capital Gains Tax
On May 4, 2021, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5096 into law, imposing a new tax on capital gains for Washingtonians. Beginning January 1, 2022, a flat rate of 7% will apply to a Washington resident’s net long-term capital gains in excess of a standard deduction and various exemptions. The standard deduction is […]