WA Business Law Blog

In the competitive business environment of the Pacific Northwest, disputes are almost inevitable. Whether involving partners, employees, customers, or competitors, litigation often becomes a defining—and expensive—moment for a company. While no business can eliminate legal risk entirely, many of the most costly litigation outcomes stem from avoidable mistakes made long before a lawsuit is filed.… Read More

In business transactions, buyers and sellers tend to obsess over the big issues: purchase price, financing terms, governance structures. Yet it’s often the smallest details that create the biggest headaches. One of those details? The humble Employer Identification Number (“EIN”). The Scenario Picture a deal that closes without a hitch. Documents signed, wires confirmed, champagne… Read More

In mergers and acquisitions, closing day often feels like the finish line. Documents signed, wires confirmed, relief all around. But the true measure of a transaction is not taken at closing. It is in the future, when integration is underway and the deal’s value is either being realized or slipping away. The Scenario A company acquires… Read More

IntroductionWhat happens after your company is the subject of a data security breach? Washington’s RCW 19.255 imposes specific obligations on employers following a security breach involving personal information. Employers must act swiftly to notify affected individuals and, in certain cases, the Attorney General. This post outlines those core responsibilities and compliance best practices.  Who Must Comply… Read More

Navigating Board and Management Authority in WA Business Entities Last year, the Delaware Court of Chancery issued a decision in West Palm Beach Firefighters’ Pension Fund v. Moelis & Co. 211 A.3d 809 (Del. Ch. 2024), striking down several provisions of a stockholder agreement that gave the founder sweeping control over corporate governance. The ruling sent ripples… Read More

How Poor Structuring and Documentation Led to Litigation In the recent Washington Court of Appeals case of Wake Up, Inc. v. Roasters Holdings, LLC, 2025 Wash. App. LEXIS 1909 (Wash. Ct. App. 2025), the court tackled a complex post-acquisition dispute involving coffee franchises, multiple LLCs, and allegations of fraud and breach of contract. The decision… Read More

Recently the Washington Court of Appeals upheld a jury verdict that issued a record $229 million in damages in Bennett v. Providence Health & Services. The jury found that the employer’s payroll and meal break practices violated state wage and hour laws. For business owners, this case is a powerful reminder that wage and break… Read More

3-Part Series - How Accountants Steer M&A—A Lawyer’s Insight Closing day is a milestone, but it’s not the finish line. Post-close, the real work begins. Integration, tax structuring, and compliance all come into play. And once again, accountants are at the center of it. Integration: Where Systems Meet Strategy Post-merger integration is where good deals… Read More

3-Part Series - How Accountants Steer M&A—A Lawyer’s Insight Once the deal structure is set and diligence is underway, the focus shifts to protecting value. This is where accountants and lawyers work side by side crafting representations, making adjustments, and preparing for post-close reconciliation. Representations and Warranties: Built on Financial Reality Representations and warranties are… Read More