Have you ever received a “Legal Inquiry” email from an individual with a non-typical name? If so, you should take a few moments and conduct some due diligence—there is a chance you are walking into a fraudulent scam that will cost you and your firm money.

In May 2016, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued its revised overtime rule, which increased the overtime salary limit from $23,660 to $47,476. The final rule can be found here. The rule is specific to employees who are considered exempt under the executive, administrative and professional exemptions. The new rule will become effective December 1, 2016.

We previously wrote about House Bills 2406 and 2931, which would significantly change the use of non-compete agreements in Washington. At the end of the session, both bills went to the House “X” file, which made it likely that neither would be passed this session. At the beginning of the Special Session both bills were reintroduced. However, the House adjourned the special session without taking further action.

On January 1, 2016, the new rules governing Washington State Limited Liability Companies (RCW 25.15; “the Act”) went into effect. The Washington legislature’s passed a major revision to the Act in an attempt to make LLC’s more flexible and user-friendly for businesses. The primary goal was to eliminate confusing portions of the Act and promote uniformity in the laws that apply to the state’s business entities. At Holmquist & Gardiner PLLC, we highly recommend that you learn these changes and revisit your operating agreement, as they may affect your LLC. Although there were numerous changes – a few highlights are discussed below.

In Washington, many employers use non-compete agreements to protect their businesses.  While Washington courts have always imposed limits on their validity, they are frequently enforced by the courts.  In Olympia, there are two bills currently under consideration that would impose further restrictions on the use of non-competes in Washington.

On June 2, 2014, after great debate and protracted negotiations among various business and labor representatives throughout the City, the Seattle City Council made history by voting unanimously to pass Mayor Ed Murray’s $15 per hour minimum wage plan. The goal of the plan, according to the Mayor, is to “grow the middle class.”  This new minimum wage will eventually be a sixty one percent (61%) increase over the current state minimum wage of $9.32 per hour (already the highest state minimum wage in the United States), and is a dramatic wage escalation for those affected businesses.