Williams Kastner Recognized in 2027 Edition of Best Law Firms®
Williams Kastner has been recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Law Firms®, achieving national and regional rankings across multiple practice areas. The firm is noted for its comprehensive legal services and strong regional presence in the Pacific Northwest. National Rankings: Williams Kastner received National Tier 3 rankings in: Commercial Litigation Environmental Law Litigation –...
Employment Class Action Insurance: What Washington and Oregon Employers Need to Know
Employment class actions can create significant financial exposure for Washington and Oregon employers. Wage-and-hour, meal-and-rest-break, employee-classification, and pay-transparency claims continue to increase, and even employers with strong legal defenses can face substantial litigation costs. Insurance may help offset that risk, but coverage is often more limited than employers expect. Whether coverage is available can depend...
Williams Kastner Welcomes Jennifer Frances as Chief Operating Officer
SEATTLE, Wash. – October 6, 2026 – Williams Kastner is pleased to announce that Jennifer Frances has joined the firm as Chief Operating Officer. Based in the firm’s Seattle office, Frances will oversee firm operations and work closely with firm leadership and staff to advance the firm’s strategic priorities and support its continued growth. Frances...
Wage-and-Hour Claims Continue to Draw Increased Scrutiny
Washington employers are facing increased scrutiny of their wage-and-hour practices. Many of these claims do not arise because an employer intentionally failed to comply with the law. Instead, they often challenge routine practices that employers have followed for years. As a result, employers should consider whether they have the documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance if...
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...
Williams Kastner Recognized as One of Washington’s Best Workplaces
Williams Kastner is pleased to be recognized as one of Puget Sound Business Journal’s 2026 Washington’s Best Workplaces. The annual program recognizes Washington companies that have built strong workplace cultures based on employee feedback. Williams Kastner was honored alongside other organizations from across the region at the Washington’s Best Workplaces celebration on August 20, 2026,...
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...