Ryan Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC
401 Union Street, Suite 1500
Seattle, WA 98101-2668
206.464.4224
Ryan Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC
1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3400
Seattle, WA 98101-3034
206.464.4224

Ryan Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC
1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3400
Seattle, WA 98101-3034
206.464.4224

About Us

Events

Upcoming Events & Activities

 

11:00 am – 12:30 pm (with Q&A)
Wednesday, October 18
Zoom Webinar

 

Save the date for Ryan Swanson’s 35th Annual Employment Law Webinar to stay up-to-date on the latest employment law developments. These complimentary, information-packed virtual sessions will help HR professionals and business owners keep their workplace compliant while reviewing other recent changes at the local, state, and federal levels.

>> Register Here <<

 

Presentation topics will be emailed out to registries and our employment law mailing list as well as posted to our event page in the coming weeks. If you have inquiries or wish to be included in our mailing list, contact Madison Lynd at [email protected].

Recent Events & Activities

Wednesday, April 26th
9 am to 2 pm
DoubleTree Suites, 16500 Southcenter Pkwy, Seattle, WA 98188

 

Ryan Swanson employment attorney Jennifer Truong will be presenting “5 Strategies to Effectively Manage a Mental Health Diagnosis” in the 11:15 am slot of Approach Management Services 2023 Workers’ Comp Forum. Jenn will be sharing strategies employers can take when faced with a mental health assessment. Her presentation will cover the psychological impact of an injury, investigation to determine compensability, identifying and challenging scope of treatment, and supporting transition to return to work.

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Approach Management Services has assembled a team of industry experts to share latest information on workers’ compensation risk management. The day includes breakfast, lunch, and a few surprises – don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best and connect with other risk managers from across the state.

Please RSVP before April 20th to [email protected]

 

 

Friday, April 21, 2023
11:00 am – 12:30 pm (PDT)
Livestream Event

 

DEI initiatives are at a crossroads. While businesses have recognized the importance and value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, they have struggled to maintain momentum and live up to their DEI pledges. The calendar is rich with “Awareness Months” and other such calls to action, but what has been the net effect and what can companies learn from their successes and shortcomings? On the eve of the next Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month—celebrating its 45th year of recognition—our panel will discuss their lived experience, observations, and recommendations for AAPI awareness that translates into productive action the other eleven months of the year.

Panelists:

  • Rajeev MajumdarManaging Partner – Whatcom Law Group, PS; (prev) President – Washington State Bar Association
  • Makalika Naholowa’aExecutive Director – Native Hawaiian Legal Corp.; President-Elect – National Native American Bar Assoc.; (prev.) Assistant General Counsel – Microsoft Corp.
  • Michael IttiExecutive Director – CISC; (prev.) Executive Director – Washington State Commission on Asian-Pacific American Affairs

 

>> REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT <<

 

Panelist Biographies:

Rajeev D. Majumdar  – Rajeev D. Majumdar serves as the Managing Partner for the Whatcom Law Group, P.S, and is a past President of the 41,000 strong Washington State Bar Association. In 2015, he received the WSBA Local Hero Award for his work in improving public access to civil legal aid and advocating for homeless youth.  He focuses his practice on real estate, civil litigation, and business-oriented law in Whatcom County.  Rajeev also serves as the Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Blaine, and Bellingham’s Special Prosecutor for Mental Health Diversion Court, as well as an adjunct professor at Western Washington University teaching Rights, Liberties, and Justice in America.  He holds masters degrees in public administration and international studies, and previously worked for the NNSA in Washington, D.C., helping to establish protocols of cooperation between nations to ensure the containment of weapons of mass destruction technology.  His focus in serving the profession to make it a more inclusive and equitable one, as well as calling attention to the need for civil legal aid

Makalika Naholowaʻa – Makalika Naholowaʻa is the Executive Director at the Native  Hawaiian Legal Corporation. NHLC is the only law firm in the world dedicated to Native Hawaiian rights. The firm is proud to serve as a legal and policy advocate for indigenous Hawaiians; a contributor to scholarship and educational programs regarding Hawaiian rights; and a rare institution where students and professionals can train and develop an indigenous rights practice in the US. Makalika is also the President-Elect of the National Native American Bar Association (NNABA), Vice-Chair of the Board for the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), and a member of the Hawai’i Access to Justice (ATJ) Commission.

Before joining NHLC in December 2021, Makalika worked for eight years at Microsoft Corporation, including as the leader of the company’s global trademark intellectual property team and Chief of Staff to the General Counsel. Over time Makalika managed multiple teams, including the Legal Operations, Law Firm Procurement, Pro Bono, and Trademark groups. Before Microsoft, Makalika practiced law handling IP and unfair competition matters at Perkins Coie LLP in Seattle.

Makalika holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School. As a student, she was a clerk for Tonya Gonella Frichener, while Ms. Frichener was North American Representative to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Makalika also holds a B.S. in Mathematics with a Concentration in Computer Science from Arizona State University, where she received support from NIH and NSF-funded programs for research and study.

Michael Itti – Michael Itti (he/him) is the Executive Director of the Chinese Information & Service Center (CISC), a non-profit organization in King County, Washington that supports immigrants and their families by creating opportunities for them to succeed while honoring their heritage. He has a broad range of experience working in community, non-profit organizations, and government where he focused on advocacy, public policy, and civic engagement. Prior to joining CISC in 2018, Michael was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in 2013 as executive director of the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) where he advised decision-makers on changes in program and law and served on numerous state task forces including the Governor’s Business Diversity Subcabinet. He previously supported Asian and Pacific Islander leaders in implementing strategies to promote student and family engagement in improving the quality of public education and served as a staff member in the Washington State House. During his tenure at CAPAA, the Asian & Pacific Islander Caucus for Public Health awarded the commission a Community Organization Recognition Award. Recently, he was named a “Top Contributor” to the Asian Community by the Northwest Asian Weekly and received a Community Voice Award for excellence in community leadership by the International Examiner.

 

Approved for 1.5 SHRM Professional Development Credits and 1.5 WSBA CLE Ethics Credits, including 1.0 Equity Credit. If you have questions, please contact John Halski, [email protected]

Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

 

11:00 am – 12:30 pm (with Q&A)
Tuesday, September 27
Zoom Webinar

 

>> VIEW PRESENTATION RECORDINGS <<

>> DOWNLOAD ALL PRESENTATION SLIDES <<

 

Presentation Topics:

If you have questions or would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact Madison Lynd, [email protected].

11-11:30 AM
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17
ZOOM WEBINAR

 

[ VIEW PRESENTATION RECORDING ]
[ DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION SLIDES ]

Join Immigration Attorneys Cody Nunn and Jen Chen for a Complimentary Webinar on How to Prepare for the H-1B Lottery and Electronic Registration System.

The H-1B visa classification is for temporary employment of foreign national professionals in specialty occupations requiring a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a specialty field. H-1B visas subject to the annual quota or “cap” are allocated based on a lottery system, with 65,000 visas available under the regular cap (for workers who have a Bachelor’s degree), and an additional 20,000 visas available under the master’s cap (for workers who have a U.S. Master’s or higher degree).

Since 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a new electronic registration process for H-1B visas subject to the cap. Employers seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions need to complete an initial electronic registration and pay a $10 registration fee for each beneficiary registered. The registration filing period will run from March 1 – March 18, 2022 (9 AM PST). The registration will require basic information about the company and each worker for whom the employer wishes to file an H-1B petition.

After completion of the registration process, USCIS will conduct its random H-1B lottery selection. USCIS will notify employers of selected workers, and employers will then be eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions on behalf of the selected employees. It is expected that USCIS will complete the lottery and be able to notify selected petitions by March 31, 2022, with the possibility of later selections. Employers will then have a 90-day window to file the H-1B petition with USCIS.

In light of the high demand in prior years for H-1B visas (with 308,613 H-1B registrations submitted for the available 85,000 visas last year), we recommend that you consult with an immigration attorney at Ryan Swanson to develop an appropriate filing strategy for your employees. We will be monitoring developments closely and will be providing further updates.

Please consult with your immigration attorney at Ryan Swanson regarding any questions associated with the new H-1B cap-subject filing process and join us for our webinar on H-1B registration.

If you have questions or would like to be added to our mailing list for future events, please contact Madison Lynd, [email protected].

 

11am-12:30pm
Tuesday, September 28
Zoom Webinar

 

>> RECORDINGS NOW AVAILABLE <<

 

Ryan Swanson’s 33rd Annual Employment Law Webinar will keep business owners and human resources professionals up-to-date on the latest employment law developments, such as return to work, vaccine policies, hiring and terminations amid COVID, and federal and state level legislation, including Washington’s Long-Term Care Act.

  • The Latest on COVID & Beyond:  Future Workplace Considerations – Britenae Pierce [VIEW RECORDING] [DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION SLIDES]
    Britenae will offer strategies on how to tackle the latest important issues involving return to work/remote work, vaccine policies and retaining and hiring employees amid COVID.
  • Recent Developments in Federal Law – Helen Hapner [VIEW RECORDING] [DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION SLIDES]
    Helen will give a brief recap of what you need to know about developments from the Biden administration, new federal regulation of non-competes, and a recent NLRB social media case.
  • Long-Term Care Act and More: Clearing the Smoke on New Washington Laws – Hana Kern [VIEW RECORDING] [DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION SLIDES]
    Washington State enacted new legislation in the past year that will have lasting impacts on employers and employees, such as the controversial Long-Term Care Trust Act, the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act, emergency rules protecting employees exposed to wildfire smoke, increases to the threshold for non-compete agreements and more. Hana will catch you up.
  • Answers to Frequently Asked Questions from HR Personnel – Pierce [DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION SLIDES]
    Our team has been fielding calls from clients on a number of pressing issues throughout the year, answering questions about independent contractors, criminal convictions in hiring/termination, Washington law on alcohol in the workplace, and employee accommodation. We’ll share our answers to those questions, offer some key employment considerations for growing businesses, and answer some of your questions as well.

Program approved for 1.5 Washington MCLE and HRCI credits.  If you have questions or would like to be added to our mailing list for future events, please contact Madison Lynd, [email protected].

Bystander Intervention Training to Stop Anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment

In collaboration with the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Washington and the Asian Bar Association of Washington

Friday, June 11, 2021
12:00 – 1:00 PM Pacific
Zoom Webinar

 

You are invited to join the employees of Ryan Swanson on June 11, 2021 for Bystander Intervention to Stop Anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment training. Presented by Asian Americans Advancing Justice and Hollaback!, this complimentary, interactive training will teach you Hollaback!’s 5Ds of bystander intervention methodology.

From the course description: We’ll start by talking about the types of disrespect that Asians and Asian Americans are facing right now — from microaggressions to violence — using a tool we call the “spectrum of disrespect.” You’ll learn what to look for and the positive impact that bystander intervention has on individuals and communities. We’ll talk through five strategies for intervention: distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct; and how to prioritize your own safety while intervening. We’ll have time at the end for practice, and you’ll leave feeling more confident intervening the next time you see Anti-Asian/American harassment online or in person.

>> Register for this free event <<

 

If you have questions or would like to be added to our mailing list for future events, please contact Madison Lynd, [email protected].

[RECORDINGS NOW AVAILABLE]

March 9th, 2021

11am – 12:30pm (with Q&A)

Zoom Webinar

 

[VIEW RECORDINGS]
[DOWNLOAD ALL PRESENTATION SLIDES]

Ryan Swanson’s HR 101 webinar will break down the ever-growing complexities of employment law to provide a basic understanding of key issues such as employee leave, worker classification, wage and hour, job interviews, and more.

Whether you’re a business owner where HR is not your primary role, or a professional new to human resources, our attorneys will provide you with a solid foundation of fundamental HR concepts and best practices that will enable you to troubleshoot the common HR problems you may encounter on a regular basis.

This webinar serves as a beginner level session in conjunction with our annual employment seminar in the fall, which takes a deeper dive into developing employment law topics.

HR 101 Topics Presented Will Include:

If you have questions or would like to be added to our mailing list for future events, please contact Madison Lynd, [email protected].

THE LEGAL FIGHT: GET READY FOR COVID-RELATED LEGAL AND REGULATORY CLAIMS

Presented in partnership with the Washington Health Care Association

In this webinar, Healthcare Attorneys Kristin Nealey Meier and Madison Burke will share practical tips on how to create dynamic stories of the heroics of your staff and document the efforts you have made to prevent the spread of the virus. The webinar will be offered on Thursday, December 10th from 9:00 – 11:00 am (PST).

Legal and regulatory claims are always a risk in the long term care industry. Those risks have increased with the COVID-19 pandemic, and skilled nursing and assisted living facilities have been on the front line, both in the battle against the virus and in the media. It is important to be prepared in the event claims related to COVID-19, or claims for care that occurred during the pandemic, arrive at your doorstep.

Register with WHCA Now >

Our virtual “lunch & learn” seminar series was held the week of Monday, September 28, 2020. 

Our lawyers were online from Noon to 12:30pm during the week of September 28, 2020, and discussed employment law trends and provided practical solutions to help employers address workplace challenges in our “new normal” and beyond. These complimentary, information-packed virtual sessions helped HR professionals and business owners stay up-to-date on how to keep their workplace compliant during/after the pandemic while reviewing other changing laws on the local, state and federal level.

  • Your future with and after COVID-19: What to do now and what to expect – Presented by Kristin Nealey Meier
    [DOWNLOAD KRISTIN’S SLIDES] [VIEW RECORDING]
    Monday, September 28th, 2020
    Kristin discussed the potential issues that will arise as a result of the radical changes that occurred due to the pandemic. She provided some issues you should expect and be prepared for, including OSHA complaints, remote working, layoffs, rehiring, and more.
  • Workplace Accommodation and the Interactive Process through the Lens of COVID – Presented by Hana Kern
    [DOWNLOAD HANA’S SLIDES] [VIEW RECORDING]
    Tuesday, September 29th, 2020

    Hana Kern discussed when and how an employer must provide workplace accommodation.  She reviewed the requirements of, and commonly-asked questions about, the interactive process, and she addressed how COVID- related issues affect the employer’s obligations.
  • Employee Termination Best Practices (During COVID and Beyond) – Presented by Britenae Pierce
    [DOWNLOAD BRITENAE’S SLIDES] [VIEW RECORDING]
    Wednesday, September 30th, 2020
    Britenae gave employers the legal information and practical tools they needed to know about terminating employees, with a special emphasis on terminations during COVID-19. From preparing for terminations, handling the termination itself, and post-termination considerations, this presentation prepared employers for a wide variety of circumstances when facing employee terminations, and offered guidance on how to handle them with confidence.
  • Top Three New Employment Laws You Missed During the Pandemic – Presented by Shannon Lawless
    [DOWNLOAD SHANNON’S SLIDES] [VIEW RECORDING]
    Thursday, October 1, 2020

    Washington has experienced three major employment law developments in 2020 unrelated to COVID: (1) our new Paid Family and Medical Leave Act became fully effective, (2) a new law severely restricts non-competition agreements, and (3) the salary basis for the “white collar” (executive, administrative, and professional) exemptions increased significantly at the federal and state levels. Missed these changes due to the pandemic? Shannon caught you up.
  • Panel Presentation: Employment Law Updates & FAQs – Presented by Hana Kern, Shannon Lawless, Kristin Nealey Meier, and Britenae Pierce
    [DOWNLOAD PANEL SLIDES] [VIEW RECORDING]
    Friday, October 2, 2020
    All the speakers came together to answer frequently asked questions and provided employment law case updates.

 

If you have questions or would like to be added to our mailing list for future events, please contact Jason Miller, [email protected].

COVID-19 Webinar: Updates for Employers on the Impact of the Pandemic on U.S. Immigration Processes and Policies

Join Amy Royalty and Marsha Mavunkel for a Complimentary Webinar on COVID-19: Updates for Employers on the Impact of the Pandemic on U.S. Immigration Processes and Policies.

The webinar will be offered on Monday, March 30 at 11:30 am – 12:00 pm (PDT) with a Q&A to follow.

If you’re unable to attend live, please register and receive a link to the recording of the webinar.

February 6 & 7, 2020

Commercial Real Estate Leases
Presented by Law Seminars International

  • Time: Day 1, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m and Day 2, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
  • Location: PacWest Center at 1211 SW 5th Ave in Portland, OR 97204
  • CLE Credits: 11.75 Oregon MCLE and 11.75 Oregon Real Estate credits
  • Program Chairs: Greg Lutje, Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC & Katherine Carlson Wax, Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt.

>>register here

Complimentary Webinar: How to Prepare for the H-1B Lottery and New Electronic Registration System 
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020
10:30 – 11:30 AM (PACIFIC TIME)

 

WEBINAR RECORDING 

Join Amy Royalty and Cody Nunn for a Complimentary Webinar on How to Prepare for the H-1B Lottery and New Electronic Registration System. The webinar will be offered on Tuesday, February 4 at 10:30 – 11:30 am (PST). 

The H-1B visa classification is for temporary employment of foreign national professionals in specialty occupations requiring a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a specialty field. H-1B visas subject to the annual quota or “cap” are allocated based on a lottery system, with 65,000 visas available under the regular cap (for workers who have a Bachelor’s degree), and an additional 20,000 visas available under the master’s cap (for workers who have a U.S. Master’s or higher degree).

This year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement a new electronic registration process for H-1B visas subject to the cap.  Employers seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions will need to complete an initial electronic registration and pay a $10 registration fee for each beneficiary registered. The registration filing period will run from March 1 – March 20, 2020. The registration will require basic information about the company and each worker for whom the employer wishes to file an H-1B petition.

After completion of the registration process, USCIS will conduct its random H-1B lottery selection. USCIS will notify employers of selected workers, and employers will then be eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions on behalf of the selected employees. It is expected that USCIS will complete the lottery and be able to notify selected petitions by the end of March. It is anticipated that employers will then have a 90-day window to file the H-1B petition with USCIS. USCIS has indicated that it will be providing specific registration instructions and additional information regarding key deadlines before the registration period begins in March.

In light of the new system and the high demand in prior years for H-1B visas (with over 201,000 H-1B cap-subject petitions filed for the available 85,000 visas last year), we recommend that you consult with an immigration attorney at Ryan Swanson to develop an appropriate filing strategy for your employees.  We will be monitoring developments closely and will be providing further updates.

Please consult with your immigration attorney at Ryan Swanson regarding any questions associated with the new H-1B cap-subject filing process.

Presented By Ryan Swanson Employment Attorney, Shannon Lawless

Beginning January 1, 2020, Washington employees will be able to collect wage replacement benefits from the state when they take qualifying family and medical leave under Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA). In this session, Shannon will provide an overview of the PFMLA and practical advice on how to prepare your company for the next phase of its implementation, including tips on how the PFMLA interacts with existing PTO and paid sick leave policies and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

The webinar will be offered on Thursday, November 21 at 2:00 – 3:15 pm and Tuesday, December 3 at 10:00 – 11:15 am. Click below to register.
Registration: $50.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

The 16th Annual Trust and Estate Litigation Seminar
Presented in partnership with the WSBA Real Property, Probate and Trust Section

  • Time: 8:25 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
  • Location: Washington State Bar Association, 1325 4th Avenue, Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98101
  • CLE Credits: 7.0 Total (6.0 Law & Legal Procedure + 1.0 Ethics)
  • Program Chairs: Hans Juhl, Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC & Tiffany Gorton, KHBB Law, Seattle

>>register here

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Qualified Opportunity Zones: Tax and Securities Implications 

  • Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
  • Location: Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, 1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3400,  Seattle, WA 98101
  • CLE/CPE Credits 1.0
  • Presenters: Mike Brown, Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC & Mark Stern, Dan Terlep and Nick Parrish, Cresset Capital

What is an Opportunity Zone?
Recently added to the tax code by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, Opportunity Zones are a new community development program that provides a tax incentive for long-term investments in economically depressed communities. Today, there are over 8,500 Opportunity Zones across all US states and territories.

These forms of private market investments offer investors the ability to positively impact American communities struggling to attract capital to generate sustainable economic opportunity for their residents. For investors who have large unrealized capital gains, Qualified Opportunity Zones offer the opportunity to defer taxes on those gains and to generate future capital gains tax-free. This opportunity incentivizes development in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide, and supports impact investing initiatives

>>register here

Complimentary Webinar: How to Prepare for the H-1B Lottery
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019
10 AM – 11 AM (PACIFIC)

Presented by Ryan Swanson Immigration Attorneys, Amy Royalty and Marsha Mavunkel


 

The H-1B visa classification is for temporary employment of foreign national professionals in specialty occupations requiring a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a specialty field. For employers who wish to hire foreign national professionals in 2019, H-1B petitions subject to the annual quota or cap must be filed by April 1, 2019, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). Last year, USCIS received over 190,098 H-1B cap-subject petitions for the available 65,000 H-1B visas.

Based on the high demand for H-1B visas last year and the improved economy with more hiring taking place this year, it is likely the statutory quota will again be exceeded soon after the filing period opens.  Employers who want to hire foreign nationals subject to the statutory quota should consult with immigration counsel as soon as possible to start preparing their H-1B cap petition filings.

WEBINAR RECORDING

Please email Laurel Jones, [email protected], with questions.

Complimentary Webinar: Preparing for Paid Family and Medical Leave in Washington
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018
10:00-11:00AM (PACIFIC)

Presented by Ryan Swanson Employment Attorney, Shannon Lawless

Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Act has been in the works for years. Despite sparse media coverage, this law may be the single most important piece of legislation that will affect almost every business owner beginning on January 1, 2019. Yet with the law set to take effect, its details remain vague for many Washington State employers and employees who will be required to pay for it.

In this presentation, you’ll learn the key requirements of Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. Employers will identify what they need to do now to prepare for the premium deductions that start January 1 of next year, as well as the pros and cons of participating in the State’s plan versus applying to offer a State-approved, self-insured plan. Shannon will also provide advice on how to educate your employees, and will break down the steps and timeline for ensuring your HR, payroll and accounting will be ready for and compliant with the new law.

WEBINAR RECORDING

Please email Laurel Jones, [email protected], with questions.

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Hot Topics in Elder Law and Guardianship
Presented by King County Bar Association and KCBA Guardianship & Elder Law Section

  • Time: Day 1, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m
  • Location: KCBA, 1200 Fifth Avenue, Suite 700,  Seattle, WA 98101
  • CLE Credits: 5.25 (Ethics included)
  • Program Chairs: Hans Juhl, Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC & Alisson H. Wall, Law Office of Michelle Lynn Graunke

>>register here

Thursday, May 31 & June 1, 2018

Commercial Real Estate Purchases and Sales
Presented by Law Seminars International

  • Time: Day 1, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m and Day 2, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
  • Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel – Seattle Downtown, 1113 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
  • CLE Credits: 11.5 (Ethics included) Washington State Bar CLE, and 14 WA Real Estate credits
  • Program Chairs: Brian Lewis, Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC & Jennifer D. Cobb, Jameson Babbitt Sites & Lombard, PLLC

>>register here

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Are Arbitration Clauses in Commercial Contracts Still Helpful?

Arbitration clauses have become the norm in commercial contracts.  This CLE seminar, co-presented by an experienced business lawyer and an experienced litigator, will explore the pros and cons of continuing to use arbitration clauses in commercial contracts.  The presenters will address when arbitration may be beneficial to a business, and explore when dispensing with arbitration and instead using the courts, can be to your advantage.

Who should attend: anyone who is responsible for drafting or reviewing business contracts or who is responsible for handling cases in litigation or arbitration.

Why attend? Earn 1 hour of WSBA CLE credit while enjoying a free lunch and gain valuable insight from experienced presenters who have handled arbitration clauses – from drafting the contracts through hearings, and collections on awards.

When: Wednesday, April 18, 2018, 12pm-1pm at the offices of Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC

Presenters:

Roger Kindley & Derek Crick – Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC

Roger and Derek will provide valuable information in a low key, interactive way. You will leave better educated and well-prepared for the next contract or case requiring arbitration.

RSVP by April 11th to [email protected].

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Performance Evaluations, Disciplinary Action & Termination Webinar
Presented by the Association of Washington Business

Employee reviews and evaluations should be valuable to both the employer and its employees. However, providing a meaningful evaluation is not as easy as it may seem. If the time comes to discipline an employee, or sever an employment relationship, a myriad of issues may present themselves which can be traps for the unwary.  Failing to follow established procedures or consider certain risks could expose an employer to time consuming and costly litigation. This presentation will highlight some best practices for employers with employee reviews and disciplinary actions, and suggest considerations and steps to take when it’s time to let go.

  • Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Individual Webinar Price: $40 for members, $50 for non-members
  • Ryan Swanson Attorney Britenae Pierce will present on Performance Evaluations, Disciplinary Action & Termination

>>register here

Thursday, April 13-14, 2017

Commercial Real Estate Purchase and Sale Transactions
Presented by Law Seminars International

  • Time: Day 1, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m and Day 2, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Location: Renaissance Seattle Hotel, 515 Madison St, Seattle, WA 98104
  • CLE Credits: 10.5 Washington State Bar CLE
  • Program Chairs: Brian Lewis, Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC & Jennifer D. Cobb, Jameson Babbitt Sites & Lombard, PLLC

>>register here

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

2017 Workforce Summit
Generation Apocalypse: Debunking Myths & Promoting Collaboration
Presented by the Association of Washington Business

The workforce is changing as boomers retire, Gen Xs solidify their leadership roles and millennials & Gen Zs enter the workforce at historic levels and begin to take on greater responsibilities in the workplace. What does that mean for your workplace? AWB Institute’s first-ever Workforce Summit will give participants – business owners, leaders and human resources professionals – the tools they need to harness talent and leadership skills within a multi-generational workplace. Keynote speaker Rebecca Ryan, economist and futurist, will share how to plan ahead to fill workforce needs and better serve employees and their communities.

  • Time: 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Location: Motif Seattle, 1415 Fifth Avenue,  Seattle, WA 98101
  • Ryan Swanson Attorneys Britenae Pierce and Shannon Lawless will present on the Legal Consideration of Converging Generations in the Workplace.

>>register here

Friday, March 31, 2017

Advanced Guardianship Issues
Co-Sponsored with the KCBA Guardianship & Elder Law Section

  • Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
  • Location: King County Bar Association, 1200 Fifth Avenue, Suite 700, Conference Room 1
  • CLE Credits: 5.00 Law & Legal and 1.00 Ethics
  • Program Chairs: Hans P. Juhl, Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC & Alisson H. Wall, Law Office of Michelle Lynn Graunke

>>register here (also available via webcast)

Complimentary Webinar: How to Prepare for the H-1B Lottery
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017
NOON-1:00PM (PACIFIC)

Presented by Ryan Swanson Immigration Attorneys, Joel Paget and Marsha Mavunkel

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The H-1B visa classification is for temporary employment of foreign professionals in specialty occupations requiring a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a specialty field. For employers who wish to hire foreign national professionals in 2017, H-1B petitions subject to the annual quota or cap must be filed by April 3, 2017 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). Last year, USCIS received over 230,000 H-1B cap-subject petitions for the available 85,000 H-1B visas.

Based on the high demand for H-1B visas last year and the improved economy with more hiring taking place this year, it is likely the statutory quota will again be exceeded soon after the filing period opens.  Employers who want to hire foreign nationals subject to the statutory quota should consult with immigration counsel as soon as possible to start preparing their H-1B cap petition filings.

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Current Issues in IP Licensing

Ryan Swanson attorney Kevin Collette will be the co-chair of the “Current Issues in IP Licensing” seminar, presented by Law Seminars International, on August 25-26 in Seattle, Washington.

More information coming soon.

Real Estate Purchases & Sales: the Structuring, Financing, Negotiation, Documentation and Due Diligence of Major Commercial Property Sales

March 21-22, 2016

Courtyard Seattle Downtown / Pioneer Square in Seattle, WA
and via via webcast

Ryan Swanson attorney Brian Lewis co-chaired the 22nd Annual Law Seminars Advanced Conference on Commercial Real Estate Purchases and Sales, presented by Law Seminars International.

For more information, visit the Law Seminars International registration page.

 

Ryan Swanson’s 27th Annual Employment Law Seminar

September 30th, 2015
Washington Athletic Club, Seattle

Ryan Swanson lawyers addressed the most pressing issues concerning employers today. Visit our seminar registration and information page for presentation slides.

WBO Speed Mentoring with 2015 Nellie Cashman Award Finalists

September 15, 2015

Hosted at Ryan Swanson
1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3400
5-7:30pm

Ryan Swanson attorney Susan Fox is the co-chair of the 2015 Women Business Owners (“WBO”) Nellie Cashman Award and on September 15, Ryan Swanson is partnering with WBO in hosting a speed mentoring event for women in business to have intimate discussions on lessons learned and key success factors from #NellieCashman2015 candidates, former Nellie winners and finalists. The event is open to non-members and members of WBO, and will be a great learning and networking opportunity.

For more information, and to register, visit the WBO event page.

September 9, 2015

Flat Rate Technicians: Paid Rest Breaks

Presented to the Washington State Auto Dealers Association by Rick Lentini.

On July 16, 2015, the Washington State Supreme Court decided that employers of “piece rate” workers must pay those workers an additional amount for the two ten-minute rest breaks required in an eight-hour work day. Although the case (Demetrio v. Sakuma Bros. Farms, Inc.) involved a regulation applied to piece rate farm workers, an identical regulation applies to auto dealer employees and service technicians who are paid by the job on a “flat rate” or “flag rate.”

The Court held that the employer must pay the piece rate employees for the rest break time at their regular rate of pay. The regular rate of pay is determined by dividing the total compensation for the pay period by the number of hours actually worked during that pay period (not including the rest breaks). The Court did not decide whether this new rule will be applied retroactively.

January 28th, 2015

How to Prepare for the H-1B Lottery in 2015

Webinar Presentation Slides; Webinar Recording

Speakers: Joel Paget and Marsha Mavunkel

For those employers who in 2015 may need foreign workers with college degrees or the equivalent, the “H-1B” petitions need to be filed by April 1, 2015 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Last year less than 60% of the petitions were selected and approved by the USCIS. This “lunch & learn” webinar provided employers with helpful tips to create the best chance to have a petition accepted, while reducing attorneys’ fees at the same time.

November 18th, 2014

2014 Peterson Sullivan Auto Seminar

Speaker: Richard P. Lentini presented a session on employment law at the Peterson Sullivan seminar for dealers/owners, CEOs, CFOs, office managers, accounting managers, and other financial professionals in the automobile industry.

November 18th, 2014

Title Law From Start to Finish

Speaker: Jerry Kindinger presented “Overview of Title Insurance Claims and Litigation” at the National Business Institute seminar.

September 24, 2014

Ryan Swanson’s 26th Annual Employment Law Seminar

Ryan Swanson’s 26th Annual Employment Law Update seminar, addressing current and emerging issues in the workplace, from developments in healthcare law to recent trends and workplace challenges. For more information, visit our 26th Annual Seminar page.

April 23, 2014

CougsFirst! Trade Show

The second annual CougsFirst! trade show is a free event open to Washington State University alumni and friends. The event showcases Cougar owned, managed and affiliated businesses, products and services. For more information, visit www.cougsfirst.org.

April 7, 2014

Best-selling author Michael Lewis visited Seattle and discussed his new book, Flash Boys, while being interviewed by his former Outward Bound instructor and Ryan Swanson securities litigator, Roger Mellem.

July 16, 2013

  • Association of Washington Business Human Resources Forum, 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Seattle

 

 

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