Blog

Recreational Marijuana Use in Washington and Implications on the Construction Industry – Part I

  • Posted by Ellie Perka
  • On March 23, 2018
Washington was one of the first states to legalize adult recreational marijuana use with the approval of Washington Initiative 502 (I-502) on November 6, 2012.  At that time, only Colorado had legalized the recreational use of marijuana.  While it was legalized years ago, retail sales did not begin until 2014 and licenses are still difficult […]

A Contractor who Refuses to Perform Sets Itself up for Termination for Default

  • Posted by John P. Ahlers
  • On March 13, 2018
A fundamental provision in virtually all construction contracts is that, irrespective of a disagreement or dispute regarding a “change,” the contractor must nevertheless perform.  Generally, only if the dispute involves a substantial (cardinal) change beyond the contemplation of the parties at the time of contracting will the contractor be excused from further performance.  In the […]

Ahlers Cressman & Sleight at Alliance Northwest

  • Posted by Scott MacDonald
  • On February 1, 2018
Please join AHLERS CRESSMAN & SLEIGHT PLLC at Alliance Northwest March 15th in Puyallup, WA!  This year, Saki James Yamada will be giving a one-hour seminar entitled Insurance and Bonding, where he will provide tips and tricks for dealing with insurers and sureties. Come learn how to protect your business before, during, and after performance of the contract. AC&S will also have our booth […]

Big Bertha Lawsuits—Hitachi Zosen Weighs In

  • Posted by John P. Ahlers
  • On January 17, 2018
In a recent article published by Seattle Business Magazine, the Japanese manufacturer of the much-maligned tunnel machine (nicknamed “Bertha”) provided its version of events and its position to the public.  The interview took place after executives from Hitachi Zosen were not invited to the ceremony celebrating Bertha’s breakthrough at the end of its two-mile journey […]

Five “Boilerplate” Terms to Negotiate in Your Next Subcontract – Part II

  • Posted by James R. Lynch
  • On December 7, 2017
As was stated in Part I of this article, whether you negotiate your own subcontracts or rely on your lawyer to do the heavy lifting at contract time, a savvy subcontractor should understand the basic purpose of common subcontract provisions, and be prepared to negotiate for fair and commercially reasonable terms. While most sophisticated subcontractors […]

Five “Boilerplate” Terms to Negotiate in Your Next Subcontract

  • Posted by James R. Lynch
  • On November 3, 2017
Whether you negotiate your own subcontracts or rely on your lawyer to do the heavy lifting at contract time, a savvy subcontractor should understand the basic purpose of common subcontract provisions, and be prepared to negotiate for fair and commercially reasonable terms. While most sophisticated subcontractors are skilled at negotiating the core terms of a […]

Increases to Washington’s Minimum Wage

  • Posted by Ellie Perka
  • On October 20, 2017
As part of Washington’s Initiative 1433, approved by voters in November 2016, Washington’s minimum wage will be increased to $13.50 by January 1, 2020.  At the time the initiative was approved, Washington’s minimum wage was $9.47 per hour and increased with the cost of living.  It was the eighth-highest minimum wage in the country. The […]

Changes to Family and Medical Leave in Washington

  • Posted by Ellie Perka
  • On October 12, 2017
On July 6, 2017, Washington’s Governor Jay Inslee signed a new family and medical leave law that will offer paid leave to employees in our state to care for a newborn or newly adopted child or for a serious health condition.  Washington’s new law is one of the most generous paid family leave programs in […]

Utility Contractor Held Responsible for Damaged Underground Electrical Line

  • Posted by Brett M. Hill
  • On October 5, 2017
The Washington State Court of Appeals recently addressed an excavation contractor’s responsibilities under the Underground Utilities Damage Prevention Act (UUDPA), RCW 19.122. That statute was enacted in 2011 and imposed certain statutory duties on parties involved with projects requiring excavation. In this case, Titan Earthworks, LLC contracted with the City of Federal Way to perform […]

Bertha – The Tunnel is Finished, but Her Legacy Continues

  • Posted by John P. Ahlers
  • On September 27, 2017
The Tunnel Boring Machine (“TBM”) known as “Bertha,” built by Hitachi Zosen Corp in Osaka, Japan, was the world’s largest TBM at 57.5 ft. in diameter.  The TBM was built to drill the Seattle SR 99 Viaduct replacement tunnel.  Seattle Tunnel Partners (“STP”) has a contract with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to […]