Recent Blog Posts
UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF CLARK COUNTY JURY TRIALS
Clark County courts are now scheduled to resume doing jury trials, in both district and superior courts, commencing February 28, 2022. They had been paused back in January of this year due to the surge in local coronavirus cases. Masks are currently required in the courthouse until further notice. The Court’s website may be… Read More »
MORE ON THE SUBJECT OF INSURANCE IN TRIALS, AND THE “SHHHH…DON’T ASK DON’T TELL” MINDSET
As a recent previous blog posted by Scott Staples of this firm noted, the word “insurance” has become a bad word in the courtroom. I suppose it always has been. This is because court rules have always been read to exclude the word “insurance” from evidence. By way of example, in Washington state courts, Evidence Rule 411 states:… Read More »
CASE UPDATE: KOSOVAN V. OMNI INSURANCE COMPANY
In Kosovan v. Omni Insurance Company, the Washington Court of Appeals issued a consumer-friendly decision based on sound legal principles and public policy. A major takeaway of the case is that an insurance company cannot escape liability if it delegates its duties to its customers to a third party claims administrator who mishandles a claim,… Read More »
SCHAUERMANN THAYER PARTNERS TAKE THE LEAD
Being a lawyer is more than studying the law, working with clients, and resolving disputes. Service and volunteering are both encouraged in the profession. Schauermann Thayer prides itself on volunteering for leadership opportunities within the law. First, Scott Edwards has taken up the mantle in both Oregon and Washington. He is set to serve… Read More »
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY U.S. SUPREME COURT
Two hundred and thirty-two years ago, on February 1, 1790, the first formulation of the United States Supreme Court convened for official judicial business. The Court consisted at that time of just six justices, with founding father John Jay having been selected by then-President George Washington to be its initial Chief Justice. Today, the… Read More »
ZOOM: EVEN IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW
It has now been nearly two full years since COVID-19 changed the world. All of us (most all of us anyway) have adapted and learned how to go out in public in a mask, how to socially distance, and how to stay home if we have any Covid-like symptoms. Hopefully these changes are temporary…. Read More »
THE “INSURANCE” JURY INSTRUCTION
I wrote recently about Washington ER 411 and how it usually prevents a defendant’s liability insurance from being mentioned at trial. Will the Jury Know about the Insurance Company? The natural question to ask, faced with that reality, is: “So won’t the jurors think this defendant is uninsured and take pity on them, resulting in a… Read More »
TWO OF SCHAUERMANN THAYER ATTORNEYS SET FOR ADMISSION TO PRACTICE IN COWLITZ TRIBAL COURT
Scott Edwards and Brad Thayer are scheduled to be sworn in to become eligible for practice as attorneys in the Cowlitz Tribal Court. The ceremony is set for Wednesday, January 26, 2022, and will be conducted remotely on Zoom. Indian tribes are independent sovereign entities, which although subject to federal law and the U.S…. Read More »
SCOTT EDWARDS GRADUATES FROM ESTEEMED TRIAL LAWYERS COLLEGE
During most of the month of September of last year, I had the opportunity to witness the changing of the seasons—from summer to fall—in Estes Park, Colorado; deep in the Rocky Mountains at the “YMCA of the Rockies”. I was there, not just enjoying the scenery, although that certainly was a welcome benefit, but… Read More »
CAN A FIREFIGHTER (OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL) INJURED ON THE JOB RECOVER FROM THE PERSON WHO CAUSED THEIR NEED TO RESCUE ANOTHER?
Bill Thayer wrote a great summary in August of last year about the rescue doctrine, which makes negligent parties legally responsible for injuries suffered by rescuers coming to aid in the emergency created by the negligence. I write here to highlight one wrinkle to the rule I was reminded of recently: The “professional rescuer” doctrine. This… Read More »
