Blog

Ten Firm Members Recognized as Super Lawyers or Rising Stars

  • Posted by Jonathan Schirmer
  • On June 26, 2019
While we avoid using this blog as a platform for self-promotion, long-time readers will know we make an exception to recognize the Super Lawyers of the firm, each of whom is humbled to receive this peer-rated award. Super Lawyers recognizes attorneys who have distinguished themselves in their legal practice as recognized by their peers. Attorneys […]

Major Change to Residential Landlord Tenant Law

  • Posted by Lawrence S. Glosser
  • On May 17, 2019
Governor Inslee has just signed SB 5600 which results in major changes to the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) regarding the eviction process of residential tenants. The changes do not apply to non-residential tenancies which are still governed by RCW 59.12. The new law includes additional protections for tenants and limits the ability of landlords […]

Federal Contractors – Double Check the Terms of Your Contract Before Performing Ordered Changes

  • Posted by Jonathan Schirmer
  • On May 14, 2019
As federal contractors may be aware, the general rule when performing a contract for the federal government is that only the contracting officer (“CO”) can bind the government. Often, the CO delegates responsibility to a contracting officer’s representative (“COR”). While in some cases a COR may be able to bind the federal government, the contract […]

How to Mitigate Lien Release Bond Premiums with Disappearing Lien Claimants

  • Posted by Scott MacDonald
  • On April 22, 2019
It is one of those dreaded business situations that plagues the construction industry, especially in times of economic downturn—what to do when a lower-tier entity files a lien against a property then disappears. It has happened to countless owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and even some particularly unlucky sub-tier subcontractors and suppliers. Here is how it […]

Is Equipment Installed as Part of Building Renovations a “Product” or “Construction”?

  • Posted by Joshua Lane
  • On March 20, 2019
A statute of repose terminates the right to file a claim after a specified time even if the injury has not yet occurred.[1] The construction statute of repose bars claims arising from construction, design, or engineering of any improvement upon real property that has not accrued within six years after substantial completion.[2] But what constitutes […]

Ahlers Cressman & Sleight at Alliance Northwest

  • Posted by Jonathan Schirmer
  • On February 26, 2019
Please join Ahlers Cressman & Sleight PLLC at Alliance Northwest March 7th in Puyallup, WA. ACS partners Saki Yamada and Brett Hill will be in attendance so stop by the ACS booth and say hello. Alliance Northwest is the largest business-to-government conference in the Pacific Northwest. Over thirty government agencies from federal, state and local […]

Subcontractors Have Remedies, Even if “Pay-if-Paid” Provisions are Enforced

  • Posted by John P. Ahlers
  • On January 23, 2019
In a recent case in Kentucky[1], a sub-tier subcontractor sued the general contractor and owner for failure to pay for extra work. At the trial, the court held the subcontractor was entitled to recover under the theories of implied contracts and unjust enrichment, even though the subcontract contained a “pay-if-paid” clause. All parties appealed. In […]

Are You Taking Full Advantage of Available Reimbursements for Assisting Injured Workers?

  • Posted by Jonathan Schirmer
  • On January 7, 2019
  Workplace injuries are an increasingly expensive cost of doing business. While every business does their best to avoid these injuries, even the most prepared employers must deal with them on occasion. The costs associated with these injuries—increased worker’s compensation premiums, decreased productivity, hiring temporary employees, and the loss of experienced workers—can be mitigated by […]

Spearin Doctrine: Alive, Well and Thriving on its 100th Birthday

  • Posted by John P. Ahlers
  • On December 7, 2018
On December 9, 2018, United States v. Spearin, [1] a landmark construction law case, will be 100 years old. The Spearin “doctrine”[2] provides that the owner impliedly warrants the information, plans and specifications which an owner provides to a general contractor. The contractor will not be liable to the owner for loss or damage which […]