As we enter the seventh year of this quarantine (feels like it doesn't, it?), we are now accustomed to offices, stores, etc. being closed. Cities, states, and the federal government have made numerous efforts to help with rent, mortgages, and other debt. Courts across the country are closed and many pending cases are frozen for the time being. Some courts are taking efforts to freeze the statute of limitations on certain claims while other courts have specifically dictated that statutes of limitation are NOT frozen. read more

Both the Oregon and the Washington Nonprofit Corporations Act have a little known provision that may be helpful as our communities struggle with the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak: Emergency Bylaws. Both Oregon and Washington nonprofit corporations are authorized to create emergency bylaws allowing them to operate in case of an emergency. ORS 65.064 provides that an emergency exists "if a quorum of the corporation's directors cannot readily be assembled because of some present or imminent catastrophic event." The Washington counterpart at RCW 24.03.070 incorporates the "for-profit" statute at 23B.02.070, which similarly defines an emergency as the inability of the board to meet because of a catastrophic event. read more

As of 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Washington State is under a Stay Home-Stay Safe Order: Washington Proclamation 20-25. Oregon is under a similar Stay Home, Saves Lives Order: Oregon Executive Order No. 20-12. read more

We are thrilled to introduce Annie Layer as the new firm administrator for Barker Martin! Annie has lived all over North America, but her three years in the Seattle area means she is still a newbie. She adores Seattle and has made many new friends, been on a few marches, and even replaced a hip with titanium! Seattle has so much to offer! read more

This is going to be a short but important reminder regarding community association authority. An association's authority is almost always strongest when dealing with property owned or maintained by the association. In my opinion, it is vitally important that associations embrace that authority rather attempt to assign or allocate responsibility to others. read more