News and Insights
CSD Spotlight
Chmelik Sitkin & Davis is pleased to announce that Tim Schermetzler and Matt Paxton have become Principals. Tim focuses on municipal law, construction, land use, real estate, and litigation. He joined Chmelik Sitkin & Davis in 2015 shortly after graduating from Gonzaga University School of Law. Matt’s practice focuses [...]
Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S. Welcomes Attorney Lily K. Hubbard
Lily is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, where she was a member of the Moot Court Honor Board and Associate Editor-in-Chief for the Washington International Law Review. Lily also gained invaluable experience while externing with the Honorable John C. Coughenour. Prior to joining Chmelik [...]
Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S. Welcomes Attorney Aaron T. Haynes
Mr. Haynes is a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Law, where he was a staff editor for the Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation, a Peer Reference Research Assistant, and a member of the Moot Court Board. He also served as an associate editor for the Oregon State Bar [...]
Frank Chmelik & Jon Sitkin selected to 2021 WA Super Lawyers list
Over the past thirty-seven years, from their offices in Bellingham the lawyers of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis have quietly built a reputation for responsiveness, professionalism, and quality service for business and government clients throughout Washington. The firm looks back with great pride at the team of skilled lawyers that [...]
Peter Ruffatto joins Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S. as a Principal
Peter Ruffatto is joining the Bellingham law firm, Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S., as a principal. Peter is a well-known municipal lawyer having worked as the Bellingham City Attorney since July 2012. Peter joined the City Attorney’s Office in 2003, where he worked in the areas of Labor and [...]
CSD Spotlight
Chmelik Sitkin and Davis P.S. is pleased to announce that Todd Egland has become a Principal, and Tim Schermetzler and Matt Paxton have become Senior Associates. Todd represents creditors in bankruptcy and collections matters, condominium and homeowner’s associations, and various clients in general business litigation. Todd practiced for thirteen [...]
CHMELIK SITKIN & DAVIS HAS RE-OPENED
We are open for operations, subject to Phase 2 of Washington’s COVID-19 Safe Start Plan safety procedures. Here is a summary of our Phase 2 plan: Our front door shall remain locked, but we are available to meet with you in our office if you schedule a meeting in advance. [...]
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Audits
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) established the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), under which certain businesses could apply for loans, a portion of which is eligible for forgiveness through the Small Business Administration. As part of the application for the PPP funds, the borrower makes a [...]
BREAKING NEWS: REOPENING RESOURCE FOR BUSINESSES
The Association of Washington Business (AWB) in partnership with the State of Washington has established a AWB Rebound and Recovery website (https://www.reboundandrecovery.org/) to help Washington businesses reopen smoothly. The website has two main lines of effort: Reopening Tool Kit: AWB has developed customizable materials to support a business’ reopening by [...]
BREAKING NEWS: PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOAN FORGIVENESS APPLICATION IS OUT
On Friday, May 15, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Department of Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application. The link to the form/instructions is provided below. Background: The PPP was created by the CARES Act to provide forgivable loans to eligible [...]
Managing Employees Return to Work After COVID-19 Pandemic – Food for Thought
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has released additional guidance for employers on what they can do when employees begin returning to work to balance a safe work environment with employment laws. The publication can be found at: https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-updates-covid-19-technical-assistance-publication The publication, entitled “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and [...]
Update: What Construction Activity is Currently Allowed and What COVID-19 Safety Requirements Apply
On April 29, 2020, Governor Inslee authorized a “Limited Phase 1 Construction Restart.” This is the first phase of the construction restart, and not all construction activity is allowed under Phase 1. Only the following construction projects are authorized during Phase 1: Any of the “essential” construction activities that were [...]
October 2024 Knowing the Waters
On June 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued a final rule on how special purpose district governments, including Washington ports, must make their website content and mobile apps readily accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.
September 2024 Knowing the Waters
Knowing the Waters – This month’s column discusses what restrictions ports can put on persons attempting to access port property.
August 2024 Knowing the Waters
Knowing the Waters – This month’s KTW blog post is going to look at some “best practices” for managing a contentious public meeting. We covered this topic in a bit more depth with the help of Commissioner Skip Novakovich of the Port of Kennewick at the recent Commissioner Seminar in Richland.
June 2024 Knowing the Waters
Knowing the Waters – This month’s KTW blog post is going to take a deeper dive into this issue and discuss specific nuances in the best practices.
May 2024 Knowing the Waters
This month we will focus on claims and lawsuits where there is no insurance. Our goal here is to give ports a quick course on what happens when an incident occurs, a claim is filed, or a lawsuit is served.
New Public Records Act Closure Letter Requirements
On April 11, 2024, the Washington State Supreme Court decided Cousins v. State, setting new criteria for how public agencies can sufficiently close public records requests to start the one-year statute of limitations under the Public Records Act (“PRA”).
October 2024 Knowing the Waters
On June 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued a final rule on how special purpose district governments, including Washington ports, must make their website content and mobile apps readily accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.
September 2024 Knowing the Waters
Knowing the Waters – This month’s column discusses what restrictions ports can put on persons attempting to access port property.
August 2024 Knowing the Waters
Knowing the Waters – This month’s KTW blog post is going to look at some “best practices” for managing a contentious public meeting. We covered this topic in a bit more depth with the help of Commissioner Skip Novakovich of the Port of Kennewick at the recent Commissioner Seminar in Richland.
June 2024 Knowing the Waters
Knowing the Waters – This month’s KTW blog post is going to take a deeper dive into this issue and discuss specific nuances in the best practices.
May 2024 Knowing the Waters
This month we will focus on claims and lawsuits where there is no insurance. Our goal here is to give ports a quick course on what happens when an incident occurs, a claim is filed, or a lawsuit is served.
New Public Records Act Closure Letter Requirements
On April 11, 2024, the Washington State Supreme Court decided Cousins v. State, setting new criteria for how public agencies can sufficiently close public records requests to start the one-year statute of limitations under the Public Records Act (“PRA”).