A construction lien is a statutory interest in privately owned real property. It is granted to individuals and entities who provide labor, materials, or services that improve the property. Because the construction lien is an interest in real property, it
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Building Fairness: The Public Policy Behind Oregon’s Lien Law
Oregon’s construction lien statutes are grounded in several public policy considerations:
FinCEN’s Residential Real Estate Rule: What Commercial Real Estate Developers Need to Know
[3/20/26 Update] Since this alert was published, a federal district court in Texas struck down FinCEN’s Residential Real Estate Rule discussed below. We will continue to monitor developments, including any appeal or further guidance, and update this alert as appropriate.
Washington Bans Noncompete Agreements: What Employers Need to Know
UPDATE AS OF 3/24/2026: This week, Governor Bob Ferguson signed HB 1155 into law, effectively banning workplace noncompete agreements and redefining permissible nonsolicitation agreements. The law takes effect on June 30, 2027. While its effective date is more than a
The California Court of Appeal Rules in Favor of the CPUC’s Net Billing Tariff
On March 9, 2026, the California Court of Appeal handed down a decision in favor of the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Net Billing Tariff, which was adopted in 2022 as a successor to the then-current Net Energy Metering (NEM)
A Brief History of Oregon’s Construction Lien Law
Like many modern American legal principles, the concept of the lien originated in England, where those who performed physical labor—so-called “mechanics”—were given a “charge” on the items upon which they worked. Shortly after the American Revolution, states and territories in
Starting work before a contract is signed: risks, realities, strategies
Getting construction underway before a contract is signed can feel like a practical necessity in fast-paced projects. But what seems like progress can create unintended legal and operational risks. Modern construction agreements are detailed documents that define scope, risk allocation,
“You May No Longer Be a QF”
April 20, 2026 Update: On April 20, 2026, the Qualifying Facility owners from Branch Street filed a petition in the D.C. Circuit asking the court to review FERC’s February 19, 2026 order.
On February 19, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory
Securing and Contracting Agentic AI
Agentic AI refers to AI systems that can independently plan, decide, and act toward a goal across multiple steps, often invoking tools, APIs, or other systems without continuous human prompting. Unlike traditional generative AI—which produces content in response to a
Understanding Washington’s New Solicited Real Property Act
Effective January 1, 2026, Washington’s newly enacted RCW 61.40.010 (the “Solicited Real Property Act”) introduces a suite of statutory protections for property owners in transactions initiated through direct solicitation. While many prospective purchasers will be impacted, this provision will have