Jennifer Hohnstein Discusses Residential Landlord-Tenant Act Changes for 2025 with Washington REALTORS®
Williams Kastner attorney Jennifer Hohnstein appeared in a three-part video series produced by Washington REALTORS, discussing updates to the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act enacted during the 2025 legislative session. Residential Landlord-Tenant Act Changes: Part 1: Legal Hotline 2025 In this episode of the Legal Hotline series, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is joined...
Williams Kastner Expands Civil Litigation 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...
Williams Kastner Attorney Mark Myers Recognized by Chambers USA as a Leading Environmental Lawyer in Washington
Williams Kastner is pleased to announce that attorney Mark Myers has once again been recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as one of the top environmental lawyers in Washington State. This marks the second consecutive year that Myers has earned this prestigious distinction. In its 2025 review, Chambers USA stated: “Mark Myers...
Northwest Insurance Law Quarterly Newsletter: Winter 2025
Please find the Winter 2025 edition of the Williams Kastner Northwest Insurance Law Newsletter. Our newsletter features articles regarding some of the most important decisions and developments in insurance law over the past few months. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Eliot Harris. Follow us on LinkedIn for more legal updates.
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...
Williams Kastner Announces Promotions of Stacy DeMass and Kenna Duckworth
March 5, 2025 – Williams Kastner is pleased to announce the promotions of Stacy DeMass and Kenna Duckworth to Of Counsel. Both attorneys have been elevated from Senior Associate in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the firm. “Stacy and Kenna have consistently demonstrated excellence in their respective practice areas,” said Rod Umberger, Managing Director...
April 8, 2025 @ 10:00 am
Webinar – Employment Law 2025: When Federal Winds Shift – Your Compliance Compass
Two Union SquareThe 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 Member Heidi Mandt Selected to Faculty of Prestigious IADC Trial Academy
Williams Kastner is pleased to announce that Heidi Mandt has been selected as a faculty member for the 2025 International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Trial Academy. Known as the “Crown Jewel” of the IADC, the Trial Academy is one of the oldest and most esteemed programs for honing defense trial advocacy skills. Heidi has...
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...
Northwest Insurance Law Quarterly Newsletter: Fall 2024
Please find the Fall 2024 edition of the Williams Kastner Northwest Insurance Law Newsletter. Our newsletter features articles regarding some of the most important decisions and developments in insurance law over the past few months. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Eliot Harris. Follow us on LinkedIn for more legal updates.