Our Firm's

News & Insights

Publication Date

From
To

Publication Type

Attorneys

Practice Areas

Williams Kastner Expands Litigation and Insurance Defense Team in Portland Office

Williams Kastner is pleased to announce the expansion of its Portland, Oregon, office with the addition of six accomplished attorneys: Megan Ferris, Leslie Kocher-Moar, Greg Reinert, Joel Saunders, Ashley Shearer, and Alex Newgard. Their arrival marks a significant enhancement of the firm’s litigation capabilities across the Pacific Northwest. Collectively, this group brings extensive experience in...

Washington Federal Court Finds Liability Insurer Owed No Duty to Defend Behavioral Health Facility from Allegations of Abuse Under EPL and D&O Policy

With the rise of abuse lawsuits in the past decade or so, and various insurers including additional language in liability policies to limit, or outright exclude coverage for such claims, Washington Courts have been faced with an increasing number of coverage lawsuits for abuse claims. One of the most recent decisions on this issue is...

Western District of Washington Federal Court Distinguishes Between Pre- and Post-Assault Conduct In Determining Coverage for Negligent Security Claims

In Northfield Insurance Company v. Yates, Wood & MacDonald, Inc., et al., Judge Tana Lin with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington found the insurance company had no duty to defend its insured in a negligent security case due to the policy’s exclusion for “assault or battery” and in doing so,...

United States District Court for the Western District of Washington Holds No IFCA Violation for Nonpayment of Settlement Offer as an “Undisputed Amount”

In Derenski v. USAA General Indemnity Company, the Honorable James Robart held that an insurer’s underinsured motorist settlement offer does not constitute an “undisputed amount” where neither party characterized the offer as such and there was no demand for payment of any sum as an “undisputed amount”.  Accordingly, the nonpayment of such a settlement offer...

Webinar – Employment Law 2025: When Federal Winds Shift – Your Compliance Compass

Two Union Square

The landscape of labor and employment law is shifting rapidly, and staying informed is more critical than ever. Since January 20, we’ve already seen significant changes, and more are on the horizon. Join Sheryl Willert and Jeff Wells on Tuesday, April 8, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm for an employment law webinar designed for...

Williams Kastner Announces Promotions of James Bulthuis and Sean Leake, and Board Election of Jessie Harris

January 1, 2025 ─ Williams Kastner is pleased to announce the promotion of two attorneys within the firm. James Bulthuis has been elevated from Member to Equity Member, and Sean Leake has been promoted from Senior Associate to Member. Additionally, Member Jessie Harris has been elected to serve on the firm’s board of directors “We...