Family Law

• Premarital Agreement
  In addition to Wills, Trust and Probate representation, we handle the legal aspects of all kinds of transitions to support our clients’ businesses and families. Hanson Baker creates business succession plans to reduce estate tax liability while ensuring business continuity, guardianships to protect and provide for the young and disabled, and prenuptial agreements negotiated to ensure fair distribution of assets in both marital and non-marital relationships.
• Guardianship
• Spousal Support
  Successfully represented widow facing claims by deceased husband’s previous wife for unpaid spousal support.  All claims against widow were dismissed on summary judgment, which was affirmed on appeal. Coyle v. Stroh-Coyle, 2005 WL 1090170, 2005 WL 1540992, 2006 WL 2873798 (2005, 2006).

Criminal Law

• Arson
  Obtained jury verdict and judgment declaring that insurance policy did not cover corporation’s claims for destruction of property by establishing that the property was in fact destroyed by arson committed by the corporation’s own agent.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  I have represented clients in the development of business parks and approximately 75 different condominium projects.  In these matters I represent clients in negotiations, prepare the necessary acquisition documents and schedules, assist in legal due diligence matters, prepare condominium formation and disclosure documents, and provide legal counsel for unit sales. I also provide general counsel services to dozens of community associations in matters such as property disputes, easements, architectural disputes, CC&R modifications, corporate governance, and collection matters.
• Mergers and Acquisitions
  My business practice is focused on counseling individuals and businesses on a range of legal issues including entity selection, business formation and maintenance, sales, mergers and acquisitions, buy/sell and shareholder agreements,  redemptions, and dissolutions.
• Business Formation
• Business Disputes
  My litigation practice also has a construction law component in which I represent owners, lenders, general contractors, and subcontractors in a variety of disputes, including lien claims and contract disputes, and related litigation.
• Limited Liability Companies
• Construction Contracts
  With decades of experience and a thorough knowledge of construction projects, we are adept at drafting and reviewing construction contracts, and helping to resolve disputes expeditiously in the vast majority of cases, often through negotiation and creative resolution development. Hanson Baker has represented contractors, subcontractors, owners, suppliers, and sureties in nearly all types of construction matters, including...

Employment Law

• Employment Contract
  My business practice centers on forming limited liability companies and corporations, and helping my clients maintain those entities and keep them in good standing. I’m responsible for all of the corporate maintenance work at Hanson Baker. I help clients buy or sell their ownership interests either by way of a stock (or LLC membership units) purchase and sale agreement or a redemption agreement, and buy or sell company assets. I also draft employment agreements, non-disclosure agreements, LLC operating agreements, shareholders’ agreements, consents to action, and other corporate documents.  I’d love to help your business with its legal needs.

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  Hanson Baker’s history dates back more than 50 years to founder R. Eugene Boyd, one of the City of Bellevue’s “Fathers of Incorporation.” Since then, our small, talented team has played an integral role in the growth of the Eastside as a multi-disciplinary firm with deep roots in real estate law. Our firm’s size is a reflection of the type of excellence we want to deliver, with around a dozen of the best legal minds in the state of Washington. A dynamic balance of established lawyers and bright young talent provides our clients with forward-thinking legal counsel for an ever-changing world.
• Premises Liability
• Construction Litigation
  Construction disputes can be caused by a wide variety of issues, from severe weather to project variances such as the unexpected delay of parts and materials. It’s not always clear which party is at fault, but in nearly every case, a timely resolution is critical to all involved.
• Real Estate Transactions
  Hanson Baker has a long history of successfully representing property owners, developers, landlords, associations and title insurance companies across the full spectrum of matters encountered before, during and after real estate transactions and development projects. We advise, assist and represent local, regional and national companies in the purchase, sale, lease and financing of a wide variety of property classes. These include office buildings, shopping centers, hotels and resorts, hospitals and medical office buildings, apartment and condominium complexes, telecommunications facilities, timberlands and energy generation and transmission facilities.
• Easement
• Land Use and Zoning
  Our project development services include land use planning; preparing covenants, easements and operating agreements; organizing owners’ associations; and developing architectural standards. We also help landlords and tenants with new leases, renewals, modifications, terminations and disputes in the office, warehouse/industrial, retail, medical and apartment sectors.
• Condominium Law
  Represented developer of condominium conversion in defense of lien and breach of contract claim by painting contractor. Chayer Enterprises v. Townhomes at Kirkland, LLC, 2008 WL 2132813 (2008).

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  My practice largely focuses on commercial litigation and disputes. I have significant experience in complex litigation, construction litigation, and matters involving contractual, premises liability, and personal injury issues. I have also represented clients in real property, employment, consumer protection, product liability, and toxic tort matters.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Our estate planning attorneys take pride in their ability to assist individuals and families in transferring their wealth in a manner that accomplishes their important personal goals while minimizing taxes. Hanson Baker attorneys have extensive experience providing creative solutions that address unique circumstances.
• Wills
• Trusts
  Among our many strategies for achieving clients’ goals is establishing limited liability companies (LLCs) to hold and manage real estate investments, along with gifting and transition plans to take advantage of available discounts in value to reduce estate tax exposure. We represent individuals in establishing irrevocable living trusts for educational and other purposes, which enable them to exert greater control over the use of the funds than would otherwise be available with Uniform Transfer to Minors Act gifts. As needed to assist with specific situations, we create special needs trusts, revocable living trusts, By Pass trusts and more, considering both tax and personal management issues.
• Power of Attorney
  Estate Planning is a personal and often emotional process. I aim to give my clients peace of mind by engaging in open conversations and thoroughly explaining all available strategies in understandable terms. My estate plans typically incorporate estate tax planning tools in wills or trusts. I also assist clients with lifetime planning using powers of attorney, health care directives, and other mechanisms.  As a key component of the Estate Planning process, I also help business owners create succession plans designed to efficiently pass businesses to the next generation.
• Probate

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  In connection with non-performing real estate loans, I assist creditors in seeking to resolve non-payment matters through loan modifications, workouts, forbearance agreements, deeds in lieu of foreclosure, and other potential solutions prior to initiating a lawsuit.  In state courts, my practice is focused on matters including lien foreclosures, collections, and receiverships.  In federal courts, I represent creditors in all aspects of bankruptcy litigation, including actions concerning relief from stay, preferences, fraudulent transfers, leases, lien priority disputes, and objections to bankruptcy plan proposals.
• Foreclosure
  Conducted hundreds of nonjudicial deed of trust foreclosures for a variety of banks and numerous private lenders, and defended lenders from allegations of wrongful foreclosure.
• Tax Law