News & Insights

June 2019

Williams Kastner Welcomes 2019 Summer Associates

May 2019

NEW WASHINGTON LAW REQUIRES ACTION ON NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENTS

by Josephine B. Vestal

April 2019

Oregon Court of Appeals Finds Coverage Dependent on the Nature of Injury, Regardless of Liability Theory Alleged

by Taryn M. Basauri

April 2019

Washington Federal Court Enforces Endorsement Allowing Insurer to Recoup Defense Costs for Uncovered Claims

by Eliot M. Harris

April 2019

Washington Federal Court Find Insurer Cannot Refuse to Cover Defense Costs Without Showing of “Actual Prejudice”

by Eliot M. Harris

February 2019

Williams Kastner Greene & Markley Capable of Assisting PG&E

Charles R. Markley

January 2019

Williams Kastner Celebrates 90th Anniversary

December 2018

Williams Kastner Announces 2019 New Members

Katherine A. Christofilis, Blair I. Fassburg, Heidi L. Mandt

December 2018

OREGON FEDERAL COURT FINDS HOA MEMBERS LACK STANDING TO BRING DIRECT ACTION AGAINST INSURER UNDER HOA’S INSURANCE POLICY BECAUSE THEY DO NOT QUALIFY AS INTENDED THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES

by Sean T. James

December 2018

WASHINGTON FEDERAL COURT FINDS THAT STATUTORY NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE “CLAIM” UNDER CLAIMS-MADE POLICY

by Eliot M. Harris

December 2018

A Little Advance Notice on Employment Issues That Will Be Faced by General Counsel in 2018

by Sheryl J. Willert

November 2018

100 Black Men of Seattle, Inc. with Women Presidents’ Organization Honor Outstanding Women Entrepreneurs Leading Successful Businesses

Sheryl J. Willert

October 2018

WASHINGTON FEDERAL COURT FINDS THAT SEXUAL ABUSE CLAIM NOT COVERED EVEN WHEN “NEGLIGENCE” CLAIM WAS ALLEGED

by Eliot M. Harris

October 2018

IN ISSUE OF FIRST IMPRESSION, WASHINGTON COURT HOLDS THAT ACTIONS OF PUBLIC ADJUSTER ARE IMPUTED TO INSURED

by Eliot M. Harris

October 2018

OREGON COURT HOLDS THAT INSURED MUST ATTEND EUO AS CONDITION PRECEDENT TO COVERAGE DESPITE OREGON STATUTE REQUIRING PROMPT PAYMENT OF PIP BENEFITS

by Eliot M. Harris

September 2018

WILLIAMS KASTNER WELCOMES BRIDGET T. SCHUSTER TO THE SEATTLE OFFICE

Bridget T. Schuster

September 2018

Williams Kastner Honored with 2018 Bridge to Healing Award

September 2018

Williams Kastner Member Rodney L. Umberger Selected to USLAW NETWORK’s Executive Committee

Rodney L. Umberger

August 2018

Nine Williams Kastner Attorneys Named to 2019 Best Lawyers in America©

Stanbery Foster, Jr., S. Ward Greene, P. Arley Harrel, Douglas A. Hofmann, Heidi L. Mandt, Charles R. Markley, Jerome L. Rubin, Sheryl J. Willert

July 2018

Williams Kastner Member Appointed to Superior Court Bench

June 2018

Fifteen Williams Kastner Attorneys Named to 2018 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists

Daniel A. Brown, Katherine A. Christofilis, Blair I. Fassburg, S. Ward Greene, Donald H. Grim, P. Arley Harrel, Jessie L. Harris, Douglas A. Hofmann, Charles R. Markley, Jerome L. Rubin, Rodney L. Umberger, Sheryl J. Willert

June 2018

The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers Announces Sheryl J. Willert Inducted as Fellow

Sheryl J. Willert

June 2018

WASHINGTON FEDERAL COURT FINDS NO BAD FAITH FOR INSURER’S FAILURE TO RESPOND TO ROOFER’S TENDER WHEN INSURED CANNOT SHOW HARM

by Eliot M. Harris

June 2018

WASHINGTON FEDERAL COURT REJECTS INSURANCE FAIR CONDUCT ACT CLAIM ABSENT EVIDENCE OF UNREASONABLE DENIAL OF COVERAGE

by Eliot M. Harris

June 2018

ALASKA SUPREME COURT FINDS MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT CLAIMANT WAS NOT “OCCUPYING” INSURED’S VEHICLE TO SEEK UIM COVERAGE UNDER INSURED’S POLICY

by Eliot M. Harris

May 2018

Enforcing The Surety’s Rights To The Defaulting Principal’s Contract Funds On Federal Projects: A Step-By-Step Guide to Navigating the FAR

by Paul K. Friedrich

April 2018

WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT FINDS THAT EXCLUSIVE MEANS OF SERVICE FOR AUTHORIZED FOREIGN INSURER IS THROUGH WASHINGTON STATE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

by Eliot M. Harris

April 2018

WASHINGTON COURT FINDS NO BAD FAITH DESPITE PROLONGED CLAIM RECONCILIATION PERIOD

by Sean T. James

April 2018

OREGON FEDERAL COURT FINDS NO BREACH OF DUTY OF GOOD FAITH DESPITE INSURER’S BREACH OF CONTRACT

by Jessica M. Cox

April 2018

WASHINGTON/OREGON DOCTRINE OF EQUITABLE SUBROGATION: ARE INDEMNITY AGREEMENTS NECESSARY?

by Steven F. Cade, Paul K. Friedrich, Jeff H. Yusen

April 2018

WASHINGTON COURT OF APPEALS DISMISSES OREGON CONTRACTOR’S LAWSUIT FOR FAILURE TO SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLY WITH CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

by Paul K. Friedrich

April 2018

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE WASHINGTON PUBLIC WORKS STATUTE

by William T. Hansen

January 2018

NEW TAX LAW IMPACTS CONFIDENTIAL SEXUAL HARASSMENT SETTLEMENTS

by Sheryl J. Willert

January 2018

NEW TAX LAW IMPACTS CONFIDENTIAL SEXUAL HARASSMENT SETTLEMENTS

by Sheryl J. Willert

January 2018

WASHINGTON PAID SICK LEAVE LAW EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2018

by Josephine B. Vestal

December 2017

Williams Kastner Announces 2018 New Members

Meredith E. Dishaw, Paul K. Friedrich

December 2017

FMCSA Form BMC-84 Bond Claims

by Jeff H. Yusen

December 2017

WASHINGTON COURT FINDS NO BAD FAITH DESPITE INCORRECT ASSESSMENT BY INSURER ON COVERAGE ISSUES

by William T. Hansen

December 2017

WASHINGTON COURT LIMITS DISCOVERY OF INSURER’S CLAIMS-HANDLING MANUALS AND GUIDELINES FOR UNRELATED LINES OF COVERAGE

by Eliot M. Harris

December 2017

The Responsibility of Corporate America Post 2016 Presidential Elections

by Sheryl J. Willert

December 2017

Washington’s New Uniform Power of Attorney Act: Surety Underwriters Beware

by Paul K. Friedrich

December 2017

Judgment Lien May Survive A Chapter 7 Discharge

by Shawn B. Rediger

October 2017

WASHINGTON COURT OF APPEALS REFUSES TO ALLOW PRODUCTION OF POST-LITIGATION COMMUNICATION BETWEEN INSURER AND COVERAGE COUNSEL IN DEFENSE OF UIM CLAIM

by Eliot M. Harris

August 2017

Miller, Spaulding v. Sawant

August 2017

Hunter Abell Named to the 40 Under 40 List

Hunter M. Abell

June 2017

Fifteen Williams Kastner Attorneys Named to 2017 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists

Daniel A. Brown, Katherine A. Christofilis, S. Ward Greene, Donald H. Grim, P. Arley Harrel, Jessie L. Harris, Douglas A. Hofmann, Charles R. Markley, Rodney L. Umberger, Sheryl J. Willert

June 2017

USLAW Spring / Summer 2017 – THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS

by William T. Hansen, Eliot M. Harris

June 2017

WASHINGTON APPELLATE COURT FINDS INSURER NOT COLLATERALLY ESTOPPED FROM CONTESTING LIABILITY ISSUES IN DECLARATORY JUDGMENT ACTION

by Eliot M. Harris

June 2017

OREGON COURT OF APPEALS RENDERS IMPORTANT DECISION ON VARIOUS COVERAGE ISSUES ARISING OUT OF CONSTRUCTION DEFECT LAWSUIT

by Eliot M. Harris

June 2017

Amendments to Washington’s Retainage Statute Expose Sureties to Additional Risk

by William T. Hansen

June 2017

Washington Supreme Court Decision Exposes Sureties to Increased Risk for Disputing Claims

by William T. Hansen

June 2017

Washington State Court of Appeals Misstates Basic Surety Law Involving Release of Lien Bond Claim

by Paul K. Friedrich

May 2017

Eliot Harris Appointed to Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation Board of Directors

Eliot M. Harris

April 2017

ALASKA SUPREME COURT FINDS DUTY OWED BY LIABILITY INSURER TO THIRD-PARTY CLAIMANT

by Eliot M. Harris

April 2017

Washington Supreme Court Limits the Scope of the Insurance Fair Conduct Act

by Meredith E. Dishaw

April 2017

Washington State Legislative Alert: 2017 Regular Session

by Paul K. Friedrich

March 2017

Sheryl Willert and Jerry Rubin Participate in PSBJ Thought Leader Forum

Jerome L. Rubin, Sheryl J. Willert

March 2017

Regulatory Hurdles and Safety Considerations Remaining for Autonomous Trucks

by Blair I. Fassburg

January 2017

Williams Kastner Welcomes Jerome Rubin to the Seattle Office

Jerome L. Rubin

January 2017

Williams Kastner Adds Eleven Attorneys To Portland Office

S. Ward Greene, Charles R. Markley

December 2016

Williams Kastner Announces 2017 New Members

Eliot M. Harris, Nicole R. MacKenzie, Shawn B. Rediger

November 2016

Williams Kastner Welcomes Steven Cade to the Portland Office

Steven F. Cade

October 2016

Defending Nighttime Trucking Accidents

by Blair I. Fassburg

October 2016

Arley Harrel Elected to University of Washington Alumni Association Board of Trustees

P. Arley Harrel

October 2016

Sheryl Willert Recognized in Puget Sound Business Journal

Sheryl J. Willert

October 2016

WASHINGTON FEDERAL COURT FINDS NO “OCCURRENCE” UNDER HOMEOWNERS’ POLICY BASED ON INSURED’S VIOLATION OF CONDOMINIUM BYLAWS

by Eliot M. Harris

October 2016

IDAHO SUPREME COURT RULES ANTI-STACKING CLAUSE IN INSURANCE POLICY IS AMBIGUOUS

by Eliot M. Harris

October 2016

WASHINGTON COURT FINDS NO “COLLAPSE” COVERAGE DESPITE ENGINEER’S OPINION THAT BUILDING COULD NOT SUPPORT REQUIRED LOADS UNDER THE BUILDING CODE

by Eliot M. Harris

October 2016

WASHINGTON APPELLATE COURT EXPANDS APPLICATION OF IMPLIED WAIVER OF ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS DURING DISCOVERY FOR REASONABLENESS HEARING FOLLOWING A COVENANT JUDGMENT

by Jessica M. Cox, Eliot M. Harris

October 2016

ALASKA FEDERAL COURT REFUSES TO NARROWLY DEFINE CONTRACTOR IN INTERPRETING AN EXCLUSION

by Meredith E. Dishaw

October 2016

OREGON SUPREME COURT BARS INSURER FROM LITIGATING COVERAGE ISSUES IN SUBSEQUENT LAWSUIT FOLLOWING VERDICT IN UNDERLYING CONSTRUCTION DEFECT LAWSUIT

by Eliot M. Harris

September 2016

USLAW NETWORK Board of Directors Announced

Rodney L. Umberger, Sheryl J. Willert

August 2016

Williams Kastner assists surety in defeating indemnitor’s bad faith and CPA counterclaims.

by Paul K. Friedrich

August 2016

Bankruptcy and the Surety – Now What?

by Shawn B. Rediger

July 2016

Sheryl Willert Quoted in The Seattle Times

Sheryl J. Willert

June 2016

In Memoriam – Jerry Creim

June 2016

Ten Williams Kastner Attorneys Named to 2016 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists

Hunter M. Abell, Daniel A. Brown, P. Arley Harrel, Jessie L. Harris, Dana C. Kopij, Rodney L. Umberger, Sheryl J. Willert

June 2016

CD CLAIMS FROM THE PERSPECTIVES OF THE INSURER AND THE POLICYHOLDER

by Thomas A. Ped

June 2016

WASHINGTON COURT DENIES CLASS CERTIFICATION FOR PUNITIVE CLASS ACTION REGARDING COVERAGE FOR DIMINISHED VALUE

by Eliot M. Harris

June 2016

WASHINGTON COURT FINDS NO DUTY TO DEFEND FOR “BODILY INJURY” OR “PROPERTY DAMAGE” THAT HAS NOT YET OCCURRED DESPITE ALLEGATION THAT SUCH DAMAGES ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN THE FUTURE

by Eliot M. Harris

June 2016

WASHINGTON FEDERAL COURT DECLINES TO RULE ON WHETHER NEGLIGENT CLAIM HANDLING AND BAD FAITH CLAIMS ARE DISTINCT CAUSES OF ACTION UNDER WASHINGTON LAW

by Eliot M. Harris, Sean T. James

June 2016

MONTANA FEDERAL COURT FINDS NO COVERAGE FOR STAND-ALONE CLAIMS BY HEIRS OF DECEASED EMPLOYEE WHO WAS INJURED FROM EXCLUDED CAUSE OF LOSS

by Eliot M. Harris, Sean T. James

June 2016

WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY FINDS NO COVERAGE FOR WATER DAMAGE IN VACANT BUILDING UNDER ENDORSEMENT IN COMMERCIAL PROPERTY POLICY

by Eliot M. Harris, Sean T. James

June 2016

WASHINGTON FEDERAL COURT ALLOWS DECLARATORY JUDGMENT ACTION AGAINST EXCESS INSURER TO CONTINUE DESPITE LACK OF EXHAUSTION OF UNDERLYING POLICY LIMIT

by Eliot M. Harris

June 2016

WASHINGTON FEDERAL COURT REFUSES TO EXTEND COVERAGE TO SPOUSE OF NAMED INSURED WHEN NOT QUALIFIED AS AN “INSURED” UNDER PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY POLICY

by Eliot M. Harris

June 2016

WASHINGTON COURT DISMISSES BAD FAITH AND IFCA CLAIMS WHEN INSURED DID NOT PROPERLY OR TIMELY DISCLOSE ALLEGED DAMAGES TO UIM INSURER

by Eliot M. Harris

June 2016

WASHINGTON FEDERAL COURT DENIES INSURER’S ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE WASHINGTON COURTS, BUT FINDS THAT EXTRA-CONTRACTUAL CLAIMS ARE GOVERNED BY LAWS OF ANOTHER STATE

by Eliot M. Harris

May 2016

Adam Rosenberg Recognized With IMLA Amicus Service Award

Adam L. Rosenberg

April 2016

Williams Kastner Adds Surety and Construction Attorneys

Alexander A. Friedrich, Paul K. Friedrich, Jeff H. Yusen

April 2016

IT’S more OF A GUIDELINE THAN A CODE: WASHINGTON FEDERAL COURT DISMISSES BAD FAITH CLAIMS AGAINST INSURER THAT ENFORCED ITS LITIGATION MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES AGAINST DEFENSE COUNSEL

by Eliot M. Harris

April 2016

IN A QUESTION OF FIRST IMPRESSION, ALASKA SUPREME COURT FINDS THAT INSURERS CANNOT SEEK REIMBURSEMENT OF DEFENSE COSTS EVEN WHEN POLICY ALLOWS IT AND INSURER RESERVED RIGHTS TO LATER SEEK REIMBURSEMENT

by Eliot M. Harris

April 2016

WASHINGTON FEDERAL COURT OPENS DOOR FOR OTHERWISE TIME-BARRED BAD FAITH CLAIM UNDER WASHINGTON’S CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

by Eliot M. Harris

April 2016

WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT FINDS THAT UIM POLICY COVERS INJURIES CAUSED BY DRIVE-BY SHOOTING CONSTITUTE “ACCIDENT ARISING OUT OF OWNERSHIP, USE OR OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE”

by Eliot M. Harris

April 2016

WASHINGTON FEDERAL COURT CLARIFIES DISCOVERY OF ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN INSURERS AND COVERAGE COUNSEL UNDER CEDELL

by Eliot M. Harris

March 2016

Williams Kastner Expands Pacific Northwest Presence With Opening Of Office In Sitka, Alaska

Jessie L. Harris, John G. Young

February 2016

Williams Kastner Welcomes Eliot Harris to the Seattle Office

Eliot M. Harris

December 2015

Williams Kastner Announces 2016 New Members

Hunter M. Abell, Dana C. Kopij, Jacek R. Pawlicki

September 2015

Williams Kastner Welcomes Adam Rosenberg to its Seattle Office

Adam L. Rosenberg

July 2015

Williams Kastner New Portland Office Location

June 2015

Twenty-One Williams Kastner Attorneys Named to 2015 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists

Sheryl J. Willert, Daniel A. Brown, P. Arley Harrel, Jessie L. Harris, Dana C. Kopij, Rodney L. Umberger

April 2015

Williams Kastner Expands Seattle Office

Dean G. von Kallenbach, John G. Young

March 2015

William Kastner Assists Surety in Defeating Major Bad Faith Claim

Meredith E. Dishaw

December 2014

Labor & Employment Alert – Title VII and Gender Identity Discrimination

by Jeffery M. Wells

November 2014

Williams Kastner Named to 2015 Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”

November 2014

Portland Attorneys Bowl in Support of Opportunities for Law in Oregon (OLIO)

Thomas A. Ped

November 2014

Construction Law Newsletter – Construction Requirements for Medical Marijuana Facilities

by Thomas A. Ped

October 2014

Charles Duan Featured in UW LAW magazine

Charles Duan

September 2014

Rodney Umberger Elected to USLAW Network Board of Directors

Rodney L. Umberger

August 2014

Eight Williams Kastner Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers for 2015

Stanbery Foster, Jr., P. Arley Harrel, Douglas A. Hofmann, Sheryl J. Willert

August 2014

Sheryl Willert Quoted in The Recorder Article

Sheryl J. Willert

July 2014

Alphabet Soup – A Few Things You Need to Know: Developments in Federal Laws That May Have Applicability to Public Sector Employees

by Sheryl J. Willert

June 2014

Twenty-Seven Williams Kastner Attorneys Named to 2014 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists

Daniel A. Brown, P. Arley Harrel, Jessie L. Harris, Douglas A. Hofmann, Rodney L. Umberger, Sheryl J. Willert

May 2014

Williams Kastner Welcomes Todd Blischke to its Seattle Office

April 2014

USLAW Spring / Summer 2014 – The Duty to Defend: When Does it End?

by Thomas A. Ped

March 2014

Sheryl Willert Honored with Most Powerful & Influential Women Award by Washington Diversity Council

Sheryl J. Willert

March 2014

Williams Kastner Case Highlighted in Recent Issue of ABA’s The Brief

February 2014

Rod Umberger Quoted in Law360 Article

Rodney L. Umberger

February 2014

Sheryl Willert Quoted in Seattle Times Article

Sheryl J. Willert

January 2014

Ross Jacobson Named Bellevue Downtown Association’s 2014 Board Chair

Ross D. Jacobson