Business Law

As a business owner, contract disputes can arise unexpectedly and have significant consequences for your business. Handling business contract disputes requires careful consideration and legal guidance to protect your interests and reach a favorable resolution. This post will provide tips from Peterson Law, PLLC, led by Attorney Bryn Peterson, a trusted business law firm, on how to navigate business contract disputes and protect your business.

Understand Your Contract: Review and Interpret the Terms

One of the first steps in navigating a business contract dispute is to thoroughly review and interpret the terms of the contract. Understanding the language, clauses, and obligations outlined in the contract is crucial to assessing your legal rights and obligations. A skilled business law attorney like those at Peterson Law, PLLC, can help you interpret the contract and provide legal advice on your rights and options moving forward. They can also assist in negotiating with the other party to reach a resolution that aligns with your business goals.

Communication and Documentation: Keep Records and Communicate Effectively

Clear and effective communication is key in resolving business contract disputes. Keeping accurate records of all communications and interactions related to the contract dispute can serve as evidence in case of legal proceedings. It is essential to communicate in a professional and concise manner, avoiding any actions or statements that could potentially harm your case. A business law attorney from Peterson Law, PLLC, can guide you on how to communicate effectively and help you maintain proper documentation to support your position in the dispute.

Explore Alternative Dispute Resolution: Consider Mediation or Arbitration

In some cases, alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation or arbitration can be a more efficient and cost-effective way to resolve business contract disputes compared to litigation. Mediation involves a neutral third-party mediator who facilitates negotiations between the parties to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Arbitration, on the other hand, involves a neutral arbitrator who hears the evidence and makes a binding decision. Peterson Law, PLLC, can provide guidance on whether alternative dispute resolution methods are suitable for your specific situation and represent your interests in the process.

Seek Legal Guidance: Consult with a Business Law Attorney

Dealing with business contract disputes can be complex and overwhelming. Seeking legal guidance from a skilled business law attorney is crucial to protect your business interests. Peterson Law, PLLC, led by Attorney Bryn Peterson, has extensive experience in handling business contract disputes and can provide legal advice and representation. They can analyze your case, provide a comprehensive understanding of your legal rights, and develop a strategic approach to achieve a favorable resolution.

The Help You Need

Navigating business contract disputes requires careful consideration, effective communication, and legal guidance. Peterson Law, PLLC, led by Attorney Bryn Peterson, can provide valuable guidance and representation in handling business contract disputes. With their in-depth knowledge of business law, commitment to effective communication and documentation, consideration of alternative dispute resolution methods, and dedication to protecting their clients’ business interests, Peterson Law, PLLC is a trusted choice for businesses in need of legal assistance. Call (425) 201-5634 or use the online contact form to schedule a free consultation and learn more about their services and how they can help you navigate business contract disputes.

Peterson Law, PLLC, serves Bellevue, Mercer Island, Renton, Seattle, and the surrounding Washington communities.

As a business owner, entering into contracts is a common part of doing business. Whether it’s a partnership agreement, vendor contract, or customer agreement, contracts play a crucial role in defining the rights and responsibilities of the parties involved. However, navigating the complexities of business contracts can be challenging and risky without proper legal guidance. This post will explore why you need a business contract attorney for your next deal, with insights from Peterson Law, PLLC, led by Attorney Bryn Peterson, a reputable business law firm.

Protect Your Legal Interests: Ensure Proper Contract Drafting and Review

One of the primary reasons to hire a business contract attorney is to protect your legal interests. Proper contract drafting and review are critical to ensure that the terms and conditions of the contract align with your business objectives and protect your rights. An experienced business contract attorney like those at Peterson Law, PLLC, can carefully review and analyze the contract to identify any potential legal pitfalls or ambiguities. They can also draft contracts tailored to your specific needs and minimize the risk of future disputes or litigation.

Mitigate Risks: Identify and Address Potential Legal Issues

Business contracts are legally binding agreements, and any oversight or omission can have significant consequences. Hiring a business contract attorney can help you identify and address potential legal issues before they become problematic. They can assess the risks associated with the contract and advise you on how to mitigate them effectively. Peterson Law, PLLC, led by Attorney Bryn Peterson, has extensive experience handling complex business contracts and can provide strategic guidance to protect your business from unnecessary risks.

Negotiate Favorable Terms: Optimize Contractual Benefits

Negotiating favorable terms in a business contract is crucial to protect your interests and achieve your goals. A skilled business contract attorney can assist you in negotiating with other parties to optimize the contractual benefits. They can leverage their legal knowledge and negotiation skills to ensure that the terms and conditions of the contract are fair and favorable to your business. Peterson Law, PLLC understands the nuances of business negotiations and can advocate for your interests to achieve the best possible outcome.

Provide Legal Representation: Handle Disputes and Litigation

Despite the best efforts, business contract disputes can arise, and litigation may be necessary to resolve them. In such situations, having a business contract attorney by your side can be invaluable. Peterson Law, PLLC, with Attorney Bryn Peterson at the helm, has extensive experience in handling business contract disputes and can provide legal representation. They can assess the dispute, develop a strategic legal approach, and represent your interests in court, arbitration, or other dispute resolution forums.

Detail Oriented, Results Driven

Contracts are crucial for any business, and hiring a business contract attorney can provide you with invaluable legal guidance and representation. Peterson Law, PLLC, led by Attorney Bryn Peterson, is a reputable business law firm that can help you navigate the complexities of business contracts and protect your legal interests. From contract drafting and review to risk mitigation, negotiation, and dispute resolution, Peterson Law, PLLC, provides comprehensive services to ensure that your business contracts are legally sound and aligned with your objectives. Call (425) 201-5634 or use the online contact form to schedule a free consultation and learn more about their services and how they can assist you in your next business deal.

Peterson Law, PLLC, serves Bellevue, Mercer Island, Renton, Seattle, and the surrounding Washington communities.

As a landlord or tenant, dealing with legal issues related to rental properties can be complex and overwhelming. From lease agreements to eviction proceedings, having a skilled landlord-tenant attorney by your side can make all the difference. This post will explore the importance of hiring a skilled landlord-tenant attorney and how Peterson Law, PLLC, led by Attorney Bryn Peterson, can provide valuable legal assistance in landlord-tenant matters.

Knowledge of Landlord-Tenant Laws: Benefit from Legal Guidance

Landlord laws can vary from state to state and can be complex to navigate. Hiring a skilled landlord-tenant attorney like those at Peterson Law, PLLC, who is knowledgeable in the specific laws and regulations of your state, can be invaluable. They can provide legal advice and guidance on matters such as lease agreements, security deposits, property maintenance, and eviction proceedings. Having a legal professional by your side can help you understand your rights and obligations and ensure that you are in compliance with the applicable laws.

Protection of Legal Rights: Safeguard Your Interests

Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, it is crucial to protect your legal rights in any rental dispute or legal matter. A skilled landlord-tenant attorney can advocate for your interests and protect your rights throughout the legal process. They can help you understand your legal options, negotiate on your behalf, and represent you in court if necessary. Peterson Law, PLLC, led by Attorney Bryn Peterson, is committed to protecting the legal rights of its clients and providing effective legal representation in landlord-tenant matters.

Cost-Effective Solutions: Avoid Legal Pitfalls

While hiring a landlord-tenant attorney may seem like an additional expense, it can save you money. A skilled attorney can help you avoid costly legal pitfalls by providing proactive legal advice and finding cost-effective solutions to resolve disputes. They can review lease agreements, assess potential legal risks, and help you make informed decisions to protect your financial interests. Peterson Law, PLLC, led by Attorney Bryn Peterson, is dedicated to finding practical and cost-effective solutions for their clients in landlord-tenant matters.

Peace of Mind: Have Confidence in Your Legal Representation

Dealing with legal issues as a landlord or tenant can be stressful and overwhelming. Hiring a skilled landlord-tenant attorney can provide you with peace of mind, knowing you have competent legal representation. You can rely on their experience and knowledge of the law to navigate complex legal matters with confidence. Peterson Law, PLLC, led by Attorney Bryn Peterson, strives to provide its clients with peace of mind by delivering high-quality legal services and personalized attention to their landlord-tenant cases.

The Help You Need

Hiring a skilled landlord-tenant attorney is crucial for protecting your legal rights, navigating complex legal matters, and finding cost-effective solutions. Peterson Law, PLLC, led by Attorney Bryn Peterson, can provide you with the legal assistance needed in landlord-tenant matters. With their knowledge of landlord-tenant laws, commitment to protecting legal rights, focus on cost-effective solutions, and dedication to providing peace of mind to their clients, Peterson Law, PLLC, is a reliable choice for all your landlord-tenant legal needs. Call (425) 201-5634 or use the online contact form to schedule a free consultation and learn more about their services and how they can assist you with landlord-tenant matters.

Peterson Law, PLLC, serves Bellevue, Mercer Island, Renton, Seattle, and the surrounding Washington communities.

First and foremost, I would like to publicly recognize WSBA Advancement Department Director Kevin Plachy for serving as the interim Executive Leadership Team liaison to the Budget and Audit Committee for most of this fiscal year. Director Plachy not only kept the WSBA’s fiscal ship afloat, but he has helped us make the ship more seaworthy. He has been a pleasure to work with and made my job easier. I would also be remiss if I did not thank former Budget and Finance Manager Liz Wick and Interim Director of Finance Maggie Yu for all the great work they did to support Director Plachy and the Budget and Audit Committee. It is also important to mention that the WSBA just hired a new director of finance, Tiffany Lynch, and we are very excited to have her join the WSBA—again! Lynch is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and previously worked for the WSBA as controller and associate director of finance. Before returning to the WSBA, Lynch served in an executive leadership role at a nonprofit as chief finance and operations officer, overseeing finance, human resources, information technology, and facilities.

As we come to the end of FY 2022 it is important to look back at the challenges and accomplishments over the course of the fiscal year. Over this last year we held our first ever full-day Budget and Audit Committee retreat to ensure that everyone on the Budget and Audit Committee understood the basics of WSBA finances and budgeting. In addition, a fiscal policy subcommittee recommended substantial revisions to the WSBA Fiscal Policies; these recommended revisions have been forwarded to the WSBA Board of Governors for its review and approval. The investment subcommittee has made progress to determine ways to invest WSBA reserve funds in a safe and prudent manner, while also earning a reasonable return. We continue to try to sublease some of the WSBA’s downtown office space, but the supply and demand make this a challenging endeavor. If you know anyone who would like office space in downtown Seattle, please tell us!

One of the things that I have been most proud of this last year is that members of the Budget and Audit Committee have done an excellent job of expressing their views and opinions in a respectful manner. I have encouraged diverse and differing opinions, while asking that we disagree with each other in a respectful manner.
This is in line with the Budget and Audit Committee’s motto of “Do good and have fun.” All the Budget and Audit Committee members have contributed something of significance to the betterment of the whole and I would like to thank them for their hard work over this last year: Governor Francis Adewale, President-Elect Dan Clark, Governor Matthew Dresden, Governor Carla Higginson, Governor Alec Stephens, Governor Brett Purtzer, and Governor Tom McBride.

Through June 2021 (the latest final financial figures available at the time of this column’s publication), the WSBA is operating favorable to budget. In the original FY 22 budget we anticipated an approximate $89,000 loss to the general fund, which would have come out of the reserves. The latest forecast indicates that the WSBA should end FY 22 in September with a net gain of approximately $400,000. If so, the WSBA will start the new fiscal year with an estimated $7.4 million in total reserves, which includes $1.05 million in our facilities reserve fund, and $1.5 million in a restricted operating reserve fund. Overall, we have performed better than projected this fiscal year, because of increased revenues and cost savings from remote meetings and events, which have continued under COVID-19 restrictions.

The Budget and Audit Committee is in the process of reviewing the FY 23 budget. The committee had two meetings in July, and the FY 23 budget was also submitted to the WSBA Board of Governors for its review and comment at the July Board of Governors meeting. The Board of Governors gave the Budget and Audit Committee several comments and recommendations which the committee is taking into account. The Budget and Audit Committee will have another meeting in August where we will continue to work with WSBA staff to finalize the FY 23 budget and send it to the Board of Governors for its final review and approval.

Another piece of good news is that license fees for all license types will not increase for the 2023 license year. Additionally, the Budget and Audit Committee recommended that license fees for WSBA members remain the same for the 2024 licensing year and that we lower the Client Protection Fund’s fees by $5 for the 2024 license year. The recommendation for 2024 license fees still must be reviewed and approved by the Board of Governors and the Washington Supreme Court. If this recommendation is approved, the net result will be that WSBA members will pay $5 less in the 2024 license year. As an attorney who pays for my own WSBA license fee every year, this makes me happy and hopefully it makes some of you happy as well.

This is my last Treasurer’s Report, as I pass the torch to newly elected Treasurer Francis Adewale (District 5 governor). I have no doubt that Treasurer Adewale will do a great job in this role.

If you would like more information about the meeting times and materials for the WSBA Budget and Audit Committee, please go to our website at: www.wsba.org/connect-serve/committees-board-other-groups/budget-audit.

In addition, you can find our annual report and the monthly financial information for the WSBA at: www.wsba.org/connect-serve/committees-boards-other-groups/budget-audit.

With summer upon us and while we are all enjoying the best weather of the year, it is time for the Budget and Audit Committee to get to work and prepare the 2023 fiscal year (FY 23) budget for the full Board of Governors to review and approve. The budget for FY 23 starts with the WSBA staff doing the heavy lift and preparing it for review by the Budget and Audit Committee. The Budget and Audit Committee will use its July and August meetings to review and comment on the FY 23 budget. Once the Budget and Audit Committee and WSBA staff have finalized the FY 23 budget, the Board of Governors will first consider said budget in late summer and will approve the final version of the FY 23 budget at the September Board of Governors meeting.

This time of year is always very busy for the Budget and Audit Committee and gives us the opportunity and pleasure to work with WSBA staff to prepare the FY 23 budget for the Board of Governors’ review and approval. While this process is very interesting, it is also challenging, because the WSBA, much like a retired person, is on a fixed budget and the consumer price index (CPI) continues to increase along with the cost of doing business. The need to meet the mission of the WSBA is balanced with the challenge of keeping member license fees flat. The WSBA mission states:

“The mission of the Washington State Bar Association is to serve the public and the members of the Bar, to ensure the integrity of the legal profession, and to champion justice.”

So how do we take our limited and fixed income and serve the public, the members, ensure the integrity of the legal profession, champion justice, deal with an increased CPI and the cost to do business, while keeping the members’ license fees flat? For the last few years, we have been able to pull off this daunting feat and I believe that we can pull it off again this year.

I am also happy to report that we have made amazing progress on revising and updating all of our fiscal policies through the diligent effort of Governor Francis Adewale and Advancement Department Director Kevin Plachy. This is a thankless and a time-consuming project and Governor Adewale and Director Plachy have done a tremendous job. It has been a while since the WSBA has comprehensively revised its fiscal policies and we are overdue to have this revision completed. It is very important to keep our fiscal policies up to date. This current iteration was done with an eye toward making our policies more workable for volunteers who contribute their valuable time to the furtherance of the WSBA mission.

We have closed the books through April—more than halfway through the fiscal year, which runs October through September—with a net increase to the unrestricted General Fund of $1,700,586. Our original FY 22 budget called for $89,563 in reserve spending by year’s end, which means we are actually at a $1,790,149 YTD positive variance from that projection. We will have several expenses in the remaining months, which we anticipate will lower the overall ending fund balance for FY 22, but we will continue to monitor this and update you accordingly.

I hope that you are all able to enjoy the wonderful weather here in the Pacific Northwest as we enter into the summer season! It has been and continues to be a pleasure to be your treasurer for this fiscal year. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding the WSBA budget.

If you would like more information about the meeting times and materials for the WSBA Budget and Audit Committee, please visit http://www.wsba.org/connect-serve/committees-boards-other-groups/budget-audit. In addition, you can find our annual report and the monthly financial information for the WSBA at www.wsba.org/connect-serve/committees-boards-other-groups/budget-audit.