A new $1.5 million to $2 million townhouse complex, called the Rockwood Townhouses, is being planned at 308 E. 10th on the South Hill.

Sperry Van Ness|Cornerstone, known until recently as Cornerstone Property Advisors LLC, expects to expand as a commercial real estate brokerage here under its new affiliation with a national franchise network, say cousins Guy and Matt Byrd, principals at

Spokane real estate developer Roger Fruci is planning a multimillion-dollar, 87-unit townhome development on the southeastern edge of Spokane called Bella Terra, which aims to offer natural living without rural sprawl, he says.

Luna Legal LLC, a two-attorney firm that opened late last year on the South Hill, focuses on mediation to help clients resolve disputes without the stress and expense of litigation.

Most businesses have some form of liability insurance, but when they're sued, they often don't think to check their policies to see if they might be covered, says Brian Sheldon, a principal at Spokane-based Phillabaum, Ledlin, Matthews & Sheldon PLLC.

Spokane attorneys who specialize in intellectual property law say the field is expanding and changing, whether it's in copyright, trademark, and trade secrets or patent law.