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 […]
Proactive Planning: A Quick Guide to Purchasing Insurance
An important variable in determining whether my clients will receive full value on their injury claim is their selection of insurance coverage and certain contract clauses buried in their insurance policy. Often a personal injury client believes they have “full” or “comprehensive” coverage; only to discover, at the most important time, they have not purchased […]
Tipping in Washington State: FAQ for the Employer and Employee
I frequently receive questions about tipping from small business or restaurant owners and employees. The purpose of this article is to provide initial answers to a couple of common questions. As always, this is not intended to be legal advice and context is everything. If you have questions specific to your situation you should consult with […]
What an Employer Needs to Know When Creating an Employee Manual
What is an Employee Manual? In Washington State it almost certainly is not a contract or agreement to change the at-will nature of your employment. It is a guide for Employees to understand Company policies. It is a guide for Employers to understand their obligations under the law, and to establish policies and goals in […]
Michael Longyear named as 2014 Washington Super Lawyer
Congratulations to Michael Longyear, who was named as a 2014 Washington Super Lawyers honoree in the areas of Estate Planning & Probate, Closely Held Business, and Elder Law.
What is a Health Care Durable Power of Attorney?
In Washington State, a Health Care Durable Power of Attorney (HCDPOA) is a document that allows the principal (the person for whom the document is prepared) to give a trusted individual the authority to make health care decisions on the principal’s behalf when the principal is unable to due to incapacity (See State of Washington […]