Attorneys Katie Comstock and Seth Chastain Selected to Washington Rising Stars List

Congratulations to shareholder Katie J. Comstock, and attorney Seth E. Chastain, who have been named as 2017 Washington Rising Stars® by Super Lawyers®, as Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorneys in Seattle, WA.  Katie was also named to the Top Women Attorneys in Washington Rising Stars® list. The Rising Stars® list recognizes lawyers who show tremendous talent…

Why file a lien?

The importance of liens in securing payment on construction projects cannot be overstated.  Washington’s lien law was enacted primarily to safeguard contractors’, material suppliers’, and laborers’ rights to payment on construction projects.  Failing or refusing to utilize Washington’s lien procedures could turn out to be a catastrophic mistake.  At times, having a valid lien in…

What is a property lien?

In the broadest sense, a lien is a legal right or interest that a creditor has in another’s property.  Usually, creditors use liens to secure payment of debts.  There are many different types of liens.  For example, there are judgment liens, construction liens, crop liens, and various labor liens.  There are also various regulations that…

How does a lien sale work?

The purpose of every construction lien is to secure payment.  But, there are times when there are no funds to pay lien claimants.  In these situations, lien claimants may have to enforce their lien, which can mean having to file a lawsuit, obtain a specific type of judgment, and sell the property to which the…

Energy-Efficient Windows Linked to Vinyl Siding Damage in Washington

The excitement of buying a new home can quickly fade if you start noticing construction defects. The question then becomes, “How do I get this expensive problem repaired?” That is what a number of homeowners in Washington are asking themselves after discovering a construction defect that is also affecting homes across the country. Vinyl siding…

Repair Contractor Gear

Trying to Decide on a Contractor? Homeowners Should Take These Steps.

Selecting a contractor can make or break a construction or remodeling project. Before you choose a contractor, be sure to check the contractor’s references and verify that the contractor is a licensed professional. (You can determine whether a contractor is properly licensed by searching the website for the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.)…

“What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You” — And Other Truths For First-Time Homebuyers

Of all the investments you make in your lifetime, buying your first home is undoubtedly one of the most exciting — and one of the riskiest. People say that what you don’t know can’t hurt you, but that simply isn’t true — especially when you’re buying a home. The reality is that many first-time homebuyers…

2016 Collections for Our Creditor Clients Totaled Nearly $5 million

Throughout 2016, our firm managed roughly 150 collection matters and returned the following amounts to our creditor clients: Principal: $4,711,069.78 Interest: $7,382.82 Fees: $7,030.74 A large percentage of these recoveries involved perfection of a lien or bond claim right, which has the benefit of securing a client’s receivable until payment is received, and we believe that…