Eric Gillett reframes mediation as an opportunity for cooperation rather than capitulation. He argues that lawyers can resolve cases more efficiently by gathering facts early, sharing key information voluntarily, and preparing opposing counsel for meaningful settlement discussions. Gillett encourages attorneys to avoid unnecessary discovery battles when informal exchanges can help both sides evaluate the case sooner and at lower cost. The result is a more practical, resolution-focused approach that preserves advocacy while reducing conflict.

House Bill 1501 creates new written-response obligations for Washington community organizations, requiring substantive answers to certain owner inquiries within 30 days. The change is part of a broader legislative push toward greater transparency for condominium associations, HOAs, and other common interest communities. But the new law also leaves practical questions for association boards, including how to manage unclear deadline extensions, attorney-fee exposure, and repeated inquiries from owners. Associations that adopt written policies now will be better positioned to set expectations, respond, efficiently, and avoid unnecessary conflict.

Washington courts have long held that interlocutory review is disfavored because piecemeal appeals undermine the prompt, economical resolution of legal disputes.[1] For that reason, interlocutory trial court decisions rarely justify interrupting the proceedings for immediate appeal. RAP 2.2 reflects this policy by allowing litigants to appeal as a matter of right only after the trial court enters final judgment or a similar order.
 

The 2025–26 membership year was a special one! Not least because the Member Services Department added 2 new staff members: David Swidler joined us as Events Coordinator, and Habtamu Kabeto joined us as our new Sections Coordinator. Welcome!
 

Are you a mid-career attorney looking for ways to build your leadership skills, do good work, and meet a variety of dynamic attorneys and judges? Are you a newer attorney looking to meet new people and potentially find a mentor? How about a retired attorney with time to give back to your profession? If so, join a committee!
 

King County Bar Foundation’s Breakfast With Champions set a new fundraising record, raising $380,000 for law student scholarships and pro bono legal services. The event brought together leaders across the legal, business, and civic communities in support of expanded access to justice. Speakers and client stories highlighted the real-world impact of legal assistance for students, caregivers, families, and vulnerable residents throughout King County. The funds raised will help KCBA invest in future legal leaders while continuing to provide critical services to community members who could not otherwise afford representation.

The required time period for accepting nominations has concluded, and the King County Bar Association New Lawyers Division will now vote on the following slate of candidates to fill vacancies on the NLD Board.
 

There are a lot of new restaurants opening in town — but most of them do not seem to be open for lunch. For this issue, we wanted to focus on new lunch options. The ones we found were a short bus ride away from downtown, on Capitol Hill.

Barbara Engstrom offers a summer reading roundup from the King County Law Library and Foundation staff, with picks ranging from speculative fiction and literary classics to true crime and historical adventure. The column pairs staff reading recommendations with a sense of who each recommender is, turning a summer book list into a lively snapshot of the people behind the library. Selections include Sky Full of Elephants, The Serviceberry, The Historian, The Count of Monte Cristo, and more.

The practice of law is known for being adversarial, but establishing common ground is often the key to success. Before resolving what is in dispute, lawyers recognize all that is agreed upon: definitions, limitations, evidence, and rules are common ground to which even the most ardent legal adversaries can agree.