Williams Kastner Continues Strategic Growth, Adds Respected Trial Attorneys and Team to Seattle Office
SEATTLE, September 1, 2026 – Williams Kastner is pleased to announce the expansion of its Seattle office with the addition of three accomplished attorneys from respected Seattle civil litigation firm Gardner Trabolsi & Associates. The arrival of Ron Gardner, Gary Trabolsi, and Galen Ryan and their team represents a significant enhancement of Williams Kastner’s litigation...
31 Williams Kastner Attorneys Recognized in 2027 Best Lawyers® Rankings
Williams Kastner is pleased to announce that 31 attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 Best Lawyers® awards. Twenty-three attorneys were selected for The Best Lawyers in America®, and eight were recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®. Best Lawyers recognizes attorneys based on peer review, honoring those who have demonstrated professional excellence in their...
AI in Hiring: The Employment Law Risks Employers May Be Overlooking
Artificial intelligence is becoming a routine part of hiring. Employers use automated tools to screen resumes, rank candidates, administer assessments, schedule interviews, transcribe or evaluate interview responses, and identify applicants for further review. Those tools may improve speed and consistency, but they also create employment-law risk when the employer cannot explain how the tool works,...
Washington Supreme Court Ends Overtime Exclusion for Live-In Healthcare Providers
On July 9, 2026, the Washington Supreme Court affirmed partial summary judgment in the matter of Bolina v. Assurecare Adult Home, LLC, Case No. 103519-5, (Wash. July 9, 2026), holding that RCW 49.46.010(3)(j)’s[1] “live-in” exemption to the Minimum Wage Act (MWA) violates article I, section 12 as applied to live-in caregivers. Until now, RCW 49.46.010(3)(j)...
Washington Expands Rules on ICE Workplace Enforcement: How Employers Can Prepare
Washington employers should take note of expanded obligations under the state’s Immigrant Worker Protection Act, reinforced through HB 1470 (2023), HB 2105 (2026), and updated guidance from the Washington Attorney General. These developments reflect the state’s continued focus on protecting immigrant workers and establish clearer expectations for how employers must respond to workplace immigration enforcement...
Washington to Ban Noncompete Agreements Beginning June 30, 2027
Employers in Washington will soon be prohibited from using noncompete agreements in the workplace. Under Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1155, signed by Governor Ferguson on March 23, 2026, virtually all noncompetition covenants between employers and workers will be void and unenforceable beginning June 30, 2027, regardless of when the agreement was signed or how much...
Washington’s 2026 Tax Changes Affect Business Aviation and Wealth Planning
The Washington State Legislature recently concluded its 2026 session with a handful of important new tax laws. This article addresses two big changes specific to our aviation and business transactions practice. Aviation Taxes Last year, the Washington State Legislature passed a “luxury aircraft tax” that would have imposed an additional ten percent tax on the...
Washington Supreme Court Expands Exposure Under Pay-Transparency Law for Retail and Hospitality Employers
In September 2025, the Washington Supreme Court issued a significant decision interpreting Washington’s pay-transparency statute, RCW 49.58.110, part of the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA). In Branson v. Washington Fine Wine & Spirits, LLC, 5 Wash. 3d 289, 574 P.3d 1031 (2025), the Court held that an individual qualifies as a “job applicant” entitled...
Four Attorneys Promoted to Of Counsel Across Portland and Seattle Offices
Williams Kastner announces the promotions of Brad Hill, Greg Reinert, Brad Schlesinger, and Ashley Shearer to Of Counsel. Each was elevated from Senior Associate in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the firm and our clients. Three of the promoted attorneys are based in the firm’s Portland office, and one is located in Seattle. “These...
When Performance Problems Arise: Four Documentation Tips That Matter
Employees are the backbone of any organization, but even the best hiring processes do not guarantee a perfect fit every time. When performance issues arise, proper documentation becomes essential. Clear, timely records not only support fair decision‑making but also ensure that disciplinary or termination decisions can withstand scrutiny. The following provides a practical framework for...
Washington Advances Bills Regulating Employer Use of AI and Electronic Monitoring
Despite federal discouragement of state-level regulation of artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies, AI regulation in various domains, including the workplace, remains a top priority for Washington lawmakers. The Washington Legislature began its 2026 Regular Session on January 12, 2026, which is scheduled to run for 60 days through March 12, 2026. Below are two examples—HB 2144...
Balancing Mission and Compliance: How Recent Ninth Circuit Rulings Affect Employers with Religious Mission and Religious Employees
Washington’s religious‑accommodation landscape is shifting in two distinct directions. In what is likely to be one of the most important religious freedom cases of the year, the Ninth Circuit in Union Gospel Mission v. Brown, No. 24-7246 (9th Cir., 2026) continued the trend of expanding constitutional protections for religious employers, holding that Washington cannot apply...