US Supreme Court Unanimously Rules for Veteran in Family Law Case
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously handed a victory to veterans when it decided Howell v. Howell, No. 15-1031. The case involved an Air Force veteran, who was divorced from his former wife more than 25 years ago. Anticipating the husband’s future retirement, the divorce decree awarded 50% of his retirement benefits to the […]
Trade Secrets – A Primer
The protection of trade secrets is a growing topic of concern for our clients. These situations don’t usually involve elaborate thefts but rather concerns of misuse by former employees. This primer is designed to help both employers and departing employees better understand trade secret concerns. This is not legal advice, but a guide to prompt […]
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Recognizes Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation as Prohibited by Title VII
The federal appellate courts across the United States have nearly unanimously held that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was not prohibited under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Of the 13 appellate courts in the United States, the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuit Courts of […]
What to Know When Hiring a Nanny
As childcare for newborns and young children becomes more expensive families may find they can hire a nanny (or nanny share) for a comparable cost as daycare. Parts of a nanny or nanny share are very convenient – location, child to caretaker ratio, no stressful waiting list etc. However, the paperwork involved in hiring a […]
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc.
Back in 2008, Samantha Elauf, a young Muslim woman, applied for a sales floor position at clothing store Abercrombie & Fitch. As part of her religious practice, she wore her headscarf to the interview. Throughout the interview process she performed well and received high remarks. However, her headscarf violated the clothing retailer’s “preppy” Look Policy, […]
Prenup Season
Summertime is wedding season, which can make the early part of the year, for a family lawyer, “prenup season.” We encourage proactive planning for major life events, and a wedding is definitely a major life event. Part of planning for a wedding should ideally include learning about the financial rules that change when two lives […]
Young vs. United Parcel Service, Inc.
For those following employment discrimination news – no this is not about Ellen Pao – on March 25, 2015 SCOTUS decided Young vs. United Parcel Service (UPS). I would describe this result as “expected”, but the clarification from the Court makes an employment attorneys’ advice that much more precise; which is welcome. A little background: […]
Domestic Violence Resources – Advocates and Online Tools
For families affected by domestic violence, the challenges of the family law process – which can be overwhelming even in the average case – can seem insurmountable. Before the legal process even begins, a domestic violence victim leaving an abusive situation is often dealing with being afraid for his or her safety, being afraid for […]
What is the “Dead Man’s Statute” and Why You Should Create an Estate Plan
You might think it is enough to tell your loved ones what you would like them to inherit from you, but your statements alone are not enough, and here is why: The Dead Man’s Statute, RCW 5.60.030, is designed to prevent interested parties from testifying against the decedent’s estate about interactions they had with the […]