Latest News

Despite many auto thefts here, car insurance costs less

Comprehensive coverage rates are 17 percent below Washington state average

September 9, 2010

Despite an increase in auto thefts in the Spokane area last year, auto insurance companies say drivers here most likely won't notice a difference in their premiums. Recent reports from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) list Spokane as a

Preparing for reform

Employers here say they're unsure how health-plan rule changes will affect them

September 9, 2010

Kim Frlan

Employers here say it's too early to know how coming provisions of national health-care reform will impact the insurance plans they offer to their employees, or their own bottom line, but insurance brokers say those impacts are starting to come has

Blind justice? Study finds that looks count in court

Unattractive defendants more likely to be convicted, Cornell research suggests

September 9, 2010

News Wise

It may be the last place you want to be judged on your looks, but in a court of law it pays to be attractive.A new Cornell University study has found that unattractive defendants are 22 percent more likely to be convicted, and tend to get hit an

U.S. law firm cuts reduce staffing ratios, survey finds

Associate, paralegal, staff numbers decline to one of lowest levels since '80s

September 9, 2010

Business Wire

In an effort to lower costs, U.S. law firms that responded to a survey by the New York-based National Law Journal said they cut staffing ratios for associates, paralegals, and support staff to one of the lowest levels seen since the 1980s.The of

Study questions use of paid experts in malpractice cases

Research suggests using doctors who aren't aware of medical outcome, suit

September 9, 2010

News Wise

A study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers found that 31 radiologists who reviewed the CT scans used in a medical malpractice lawsuit didn't agree with the conclusions reached by four paid medical expert witnesses in the the

Patent firm moves to larger quarters in Chase building

Niche law office says need for protecting intellectual property continues to grow

September 9, 2010

Mike McLean

Sadler, Breen, Morasch & Colby PS, a Spokane law firm that specializes in patent law, has moved into the Chase Financial Center downtown, where it says it has room to expand.The firm, which also does business under the name SBMC, has leased the

Boutique firm finds balance in trial, transactional work

Layman, Layman looks to recover from sudden loss of one of its partners

September 9, 2010

Kim Crompton

Spokane law firm Layman, Layman & Robinson PLLP says it has seen a drop-off in business-transaction work, one of its two main areas of practice, but a rise in litigation, its other focus, as the recession has raised the legal stakes for many of its

Koegen Edwards moves up to larger space

Municipal legal practice busy despite recession; fourth partner joins firm

September 9, 2010

Mike McLean

Koegen Edwards LLP, a Spokane law firm that specializes in municipal finance and general municipal law, says it has moved to the 17th floor of the Bank of America Financial Center downtown.Its new office space, at 4,000 square feet, is about a

Consumer bankruptcy costs said rising after reform law

Filers paying as much as 55 percent more now, leaving less for creditors

September 9, 2010

People currently filing for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy protection are facing as much as a 55 percent cost increase as one result of the 2005 comprehensive bankruptcy reforms, says a new study published in the American Bankruptcy a

Lee & Hayes sees growth in life science

Spokane-based firm has hired specialists, hopes to have 15 attorneys in group within five years

September 9, 2010

Chey Scott

Lee & Hayes PLLC, a Spokane-based law firm that focuses on intellectual property law, says its relatively new life-sciences group could become a significant catalyst for future growth. The group, which Lee & Hayes began putting together last in