News and Insights
120 Day Rent Increase
On March 13, 2023, Bellingham City Council gave final approval to an ordinance that requires 120 days advance notice before any rent increases for residential units. This new requirement applies only to properties located within the city limits of Bellingham. The ordinance takes effect March 28, 2023. Currently, State [...]
Aaron Haynes elected to serve as Chair-Elect for the Washington State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Committee and as District Representative for Oregon and Washington to the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division
The WSBA’s Young Lawyers Committee recently elected CSD associate Aaron Haynes to serve as its Chair-Elect for 2022-2023 and as District Representative to the ABA’s Young Lawyers Division for 2022-2024. Aaron’s appointment comes after two years of serving as an At-Large Representative to the ABA Young Lawyers Division and [...]
Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S. Welcomes Attorney Conner A. Sapp
Conner graduated from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in May 2020, then went on to clerk for the Honorable Timothy M. Churchwell of Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District. Prior to graduating, Conner served as an extern to the Honorable David M. Furman of the Colorado Court of [...]
Frank Chmelik & Jon Sitkin selected to 2022 WA Super Lawyers list
Over the past thirty-eight years, the lawyers of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis have built a reputation for offering dependable, high-quality service to various individuals, corporations, and municipalities alike throughout Washington. While our CSD team continues to grow, we continue to hold the same values which have made our firm [...]
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 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 [...]
July 2025 Knowing the Waters
It’s an election year, which means election law is front and center. In this month’s column, I will discuss updates to port-specific election laws and revisit some election season tips for port staff, commissioners and candidates to keep in mind.
June 2025 Knowing the Waters
Summertime at the port means increased use of port facilities—port marinas, piers, and boat launches will be filled with recreational boaters, commercial fishers, and whale watchers; port parks will host festivals and events; and general aviation airports will see increased traffic.
May 2025 Knowing the Waters
In April, the Washington Court of Appeals issued a decision in West v. Walla Walla City Council , a case involving an alleged violation of the Open Public Meetings Act (“OPMA”).
April 2025 Knowing the Waters
In this month’s column, I cautiously dip my legal toe into the implications around recent federal funding actions. I say “cautiously” because I realize there are strong opinions on all sides of federal politics right now.
March 2025 Knowing the Waters
This past January I had the pleasure of attending WPPA 2025 Port Day in Olympia and observing WPPA Staff and members engage their state legislative delegations and other elected officials to advance the interests of ports all over Washington.
February 2025 Knowing the Waters
Does your port own buildings that are 20,000 square feet or larger? If so, between June 2026 and June 2028, your port will likely have to comply with Building Performance Standards (“BPS”) in the Clean Building Act, Chapter 19.27A RCW
July 2025 Knowing the Waters
It’s an election year, which means election law is front and center. In this month’s column, I will discuss updates to port-specific election laws and revisit some election season tips for port staff, commissioners and candidates to keep in mind.
June 2025 Knowing the Waters
Summertime at the port means increased use of port facilities—port marinas, piers, and boat launches will be filled with recreational boaters, commercial fishers, and whale watchers; port parks will host festivals and events; and general aviation airports will see increased traffic.
May 2025 Knowing the Waters
In April, the Washington Court of Appeals issued a decision in West v. Walla Walla City Council , a case involving an alleged violation of the Open Public Meetings Act (“OPMA”).
April 2025 Knowing the Waters
In this month’s column, I cautiously dip my legal toe into the implications around recent federal funding actions. I say “cautiously” because I realize there are strong opinions on all sides of federal politics right now.
March 2025 Knowing the Waters
This past January I had the pleasure of attending WPPA 2025 Port Day in Olympia and observing WPPA Staff and members engage their state legislative delegations and other elected officials to advance the interests of ports all over Washington.
February 2025 Knowing the Waters
Does your port own buildings that are 20,000 square feet or larger? If so, between June 2026 and June 2028, your port will likely have to comply with Building Performance Standards (“BPS”) in the Clean Building Act, Chapter 19.27A RCW