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Law professor's book takes on poorly written contracts

Author suggests badly crafted documents are most litigated civil issue

April 23, 2009

Poorly written contracts are more than just an inconvenience. They take up time, cost money, and add to the legal system's burdens."Legal disputes stemming from poorly written contracts are probably the most litigated issue on the civil side of

Workland & Witherspoon withstands recession's winds

Small, but diversified firm says work with longtime clients continues steadily

April 23, 2009

Mike McLean

Workland & Witherspoon PLLC, a 10-attorney law firm here, says it has maintained a steady volume of legal work during the recession by focusing on the needs of long-term clients. It also says it isn't looking to expand."We're at a comfortable of

Law schools try to bend published rankings, study finds

Some administrators say intense jockeying for high spots is akin to 'arms race'

April 23, 2009

Educational rankings such as those produced by U.S. News & World Report have an inescapable impact on law schools, according to research published in a recent issue of the American Sociological Review, the flagship journal of the American have in &

Report cites inequities in court fines

University of Washington researchers did study for a state commission

April 23, 2009

Washington state's system for imposing fines and fees on people convicted of felonies is riddled with inequalities and is hindering individuals from rejoining society, says a report prepared for the state by University of Washington report for the

Avista, tribal pact said one for the books

Agreements with Coeur d'Alenes, others call for $373 million in mitigation outlays

April 23, 2009

Richard Ripley

When Avista Corp. agreed to pay $168 million to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe for past and future impacts of Post Falls Dam on the tribe and its lands, the amount captured headlines. Yet, there's much more to the story.The deal was hammered out with

Gonzaga Law School to introduce new curriculum this fall

Enrollment cut, new practical training part of revamped program

April 23, 2009

Jeanne Gustafson

Beginning next fall, Gonzaga University's law school plans to roll out a new curriculum that Dean Earl Martin says will freshen the program and provide graduates with more of the skills they'll need to enter the law profession. Last year, the law

Weight gain early in life can lead to disabilities for elders

Risk of mobility problems said higher even if person later loses excess pounds

April 23, 2009

Carrying extra weight earlier in life increases the risk of developing problems with mobility in old age, even if the weight is lost eventually, says new research out of the Sticht Center on Aging at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, in by

Lilac Terrace retirement project goes up- Art Only

April 23, 2009

Lilac Terrace, a 50-unit, four-story retirement housing project, is under construction at the Lilac Plaza Retirement Community complex at 7007 N. Wiscomb. KOP Construction Co., of Spokane, is the contractor on the $9.5 million, 46,000-square-foot

Finding retirement financial safety in these troubled times

Guaranteed income plan using 'buckets of money' offers plenty of flexibility

April 23, 2009

Kelly C. Ruggles

Almost all investors have seen their stock portfolios tumble sharply over the past 18 months, and many fear more troubled times ahead. Unemployment is high, the dollar is weak, and the national debt is huge and growing. Americans are losing faith a

Rendering courtesy of Zeck Butler Architects PS

Nonprofits trim initial phase of senior project in Valley

Appleway Court to have 38 living units for now; second phase is possible

April 23, 2009

Mike McLean

Two Spokane-based nonprofits say they've reduced the number of apartment units they plan to develop initially in the Appleway Court senior housing project, although they hope to add a second phase to the development eventually.The nonprofits, to