Civil Litigation Attorney Services
Construction
Construction law involves any legal issue related to the construction of a building or other structure.
Unfortunately, it is a common occurrence that homeowners and contractors do not enter into formal written agreements and oftentimes both rely on a bid or an invoice. Although commonplace, this has led to many lawsuits by either the homeowner or contractor over misunderstandings that could have been resolved had the parties written out their expectations at the outset.
Smythe & Jones PLLC is well-versed in representing both homeowners and contractors in all aspects of construction disputes. Time is essential in these matters whether it is to attach to the bond, recording a real estate lien, or having a materialman’s lien released from your home, get us on board promptly for the best results.
Employment Law
Employment law ranges from wrongful termination, to employer-employee issues, to employment contract disputes to employment discrimination.
If your termination of employment was illegal or came under unfair circumstances in which you were harassed, discriminated and/or retaliated against, then your situation may be a wrongful termination.
Wrongful termination claims are often difficult to prove, since Washington is an at-will employment state, and there is only a limited amount of time in which these claims can be filed. Speaking to an attorney about your wrongful termination early will most likely improve the outcome of the situation.
Consumer Law
Consumer law involves all of the regulations and statutes that seek to create a more equitable balance for buyers in the marketplace and prevent sellers from using dishonest tactics. A consumer is any individual who purchases goods or services, which may be sold by manufacturers, wholesalers, or retailers.
Business Law
Business law expands from the formation of partnerships and/or corporations to the dissolution and/or merger thereof.
Business law defines laws related to business partnerships, entities, sole proprietorships, liability companies, and corporations. It describes laws related to business and real property. It also includes rights assignment, drafting, and work delegations, breach of contract, transactions, contracts, and penalties for violation of the agreement.
Business law also determines the formal process of establishment of a business organization and regulations related to the selling of corporate entities. It also includes regulations about employee rights and privileges, workplace safety, overtime rules, and minimum wages law.
HOA Disputes
The purpose of an HOA is to maintain the properties’ values through enforcing the community’s promises to the homeowners and maintaining the common areas. HOA’s have a responsibility to preserve your community, protect its value and to protect your home.
The first place for homeowners to look when disputes arise between the homeowner and the HOA is the association’s declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs), bylaws, rules, and guidelines. It is common for these documents to provide the internal process for community members to resolve disputes.
Contracts
A contract is defined as a set of promises or promise for the breach of which the law gives a remedy, or the performance of which the law in some way recognizes a duty. In order to enter into a legally enforceable contract, you must be 18 years or older, have the mental capacity to have read it, understand it, and plan to abide by it.
If you are entering into a contract, you cannot assume that the contract was written by an attorney or that the terms in it are legal. In order for a contract to be valid there must be an offer, acceptance and consideration.
Consideration is a legal concept that’s says that in order for a promise to be enforceable, it has to be supported by consideration. Consideration is a bargain of exchange, and relates to the thing being exchanged. Without consideration, there may not be an enforceable contract and the exchange may simply be a donative gift.