On April 17, 2020, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee implemented Proclamation 20-51 relating to "Community Association Meetings and Late Fees" but the Proclamation covers fines, too. Proclamation 20-51: 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

Please join us in congratulating our colleague, Alexis Ducich, on making partner! Those of you who have used us for collections or worked with Ali in any respect know that she is a great attorney and is dedicated to providing the highest level of collection services in Washington and Oregon. Ali has long been an invaluable member of the Barker Martin team and we are happy to call her our partner and friend. We look forward to working together for many years to come. If you are going to WSCAI's CA Day on Saturday, please come by our booth to say congrats - or join us after the event. (Details at the booth!) read more

Please join us in welcoming Lucille Jo Vincent (I call her "Lulu") to the Barker Martin team (sorta) as of April 4. Collin is getting plenty of parenting advice from the rest of us (good and bad). Feel free to add your two cents! read more

OK, so no, despite the clickbait title, there is no one little trick to deal with problem owners. Maybe it's the political climate or the phases of the moon, but it sure seems like the "problem owner" issue is out in force right now. Take the Florida community that was recently vindicated in an arbitration against a particularly problematic owner in this Florida article. read more