The controversial “Second Chance” bill passed the Seattle City Council unanimously on June 10, 2013, and becomes an additional requirement employers must follow in Seattle’s ever restrictive, employee-friendly canon of ordinances.

In an article I wrote for the March 2013 issue of Western Real Estate Business Magazine, “A Tenant’s Guide to Environmental Liability Risk Management in Commercial Leases,” I wrote about drafting and negotiating commercial leases to protect the rights of tenants who need to bring and/or use hazardous materials on their leased premises.

Just because a customer notices food is tainted before taking a bite does not mean a lawsuit has been averted.

Last week, attorney Jennifer Faubion, a member of Cairncross & Hempelmann’s Litigation group, provided the first installment in her two-part series on the current trend in food service to offer gluten-free menu items, and the legal issues most often associated with that. This week, Jennifer offers her second installment.

Jennifer Faubion is an attorney with Cairncross & Hempelmann specializing in helping employers navigate employment issues both preemptively and through litigation. Jennifer regularly advises business owners on issues related to state and federal laws and often writes about employment issues affecting the hospitality industry.

Recent changes in Washington law have made it even more difficult for employers to establish that a worker is properly classified as an independent contractor.  If your …

Over the past several years, hoteliers, retailers and restaurant owners across the country have been slapped with thousands of private lawsuits for failing to meet the precise guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The oldest franchisor in the country recently took a hit in federal appeals court on its ability to set prices in its restaurants. The decision suggests that franchisors take a hard long look at the specifics of their contract language before changing course.