Calling Out Institutional Racism Isn’t Disqualifying Bias for a Judge Under the Code for Judicial Conduct
On January 2, 2026, the Court of Appeals Division III took the intriguing step of elevating a letter ruling, on which parties outside that litigation generally cannot rely, to the status of an unpublished opinion. An unpublished opinion, while not binding on any court, can be cited by anyone for persuasive...
UPEPA Meets #MeToo: The Washington Court of Appeals’ Blunt Message to Lawsuits Aimed at Silencing Survivors
(Content Warning: discussion of sexual assault and grooming behavior)
On December 30, 2025, the Washington Court of Appeals dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by a pastor against his employee and parishioner after she referred to a sexual encounter between them as “rape.” While the outcome is notable, what I...
Year‑End Legal Realities: Understanding Washington’s Wrongful‑Death Statute of Limitations
Family members of individuals who have died due to negligence may have the right to pursue a wrongful death action against the at-fault party. However, they only have a certain amount of time to do so due to a deadline known as the statute of limitations.
If you lost...
Consumer Fraud in Washington—Your Right to Protect the Public
Consumer fraud can happen to anyone—whether through misleading advertising, hidden fees, or other deceptive business practices. Deceptive businesses often collect small amounts of money from numerous consumers because they assume consumers will not bother to enforce their rights over small amounts.
To encourage consumers to protect the public, Washington...
From KarenKoehler.com: Seattle Employs Age Old Propaganda Tactic Against Gas Works Park Victims
Karen Koehler recently wrote about the City of Seattle’s initial response to the Gas Works Park nuisance lawsuit following the death of fifteen-year-old Matthies Johnson and injuries to fourteen other young people.
This blog was originally published on Karen Koehler’s personal website.
Read the full post here:...
When Systemic Failures Lead to Wrongful Death: Holding Institutions Accountable
When a tragic death happens because of repeated negligence, it is not simply the result of a single mistake. Too often, it reflects systemic failures—patterns of carelessness, ignored warnings, or unsafe practices that go uncorrected until lives are lost. Families in Washington deserve to know that institutions can and should be held...
Life After a Catastrophic Medical Error: Understanding Long-Term Needs and Rights in Washington
FAQs: Injuries from Products Purchased on Amazon
As one of the largest retailers in the world, Amazon has both enormous power in the economy and enormous responsibility to consumers. While Amazon offers consumers a convenient shopping and delivery experience, it also distributes products that may dangerous or defective, leading to serious injury and death. Here is what you need...
The Intersection of Mental Health and Police Encounters: A Legal Perspective
When police respond to mental health crises, situations can escalate in moments and leave long-lasting effects. People struggling with mental health conditions may be treated as dangerous instead of as individuals in need of support. Looking at these encounters through a legal lens shows where rights and protections matter most.
