MPBA News & Press Releases
As a service to the visitors of MPBA.com, such as our clients and colleagues, MPBA will continually post articles, white papers authored by attorneys of the firm, press releases and news pertaining to the firm. If there is anything of related interest that you as a client or colleague would like to see posted, please contact MPBA.
Nine MPBA Attorneys Selected as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for 2010
June 6, 2010 - Seattle Washington. The magazine Washington Law & Politics announced its Super Lawyers for 2010, and MPBA has nine reasons to celebrate. The following MPBA attorneys were named as Super Lawyers for 2010:
The following MPBA attorneys were named as Rising Stars for 2010:
This year's honorees represent decades of experience in various practice areas ranging from Employment, Litigation, Corporate Transactions, Estate Planning and Business Law. We applaud our outstanding Super Lawyers and Rising Stars!
MPBA Attorney success in WA Supreme Court case on health law issues
March 18, 2010 - The Washington Supreme Court recently handed down a unanimous decision in favor of the legal arguments advocated in MPBA attorney, Kristiana Farris O'Brien's, amicus curie brief submitted on behalf of the American Medical Association, the Washington State Medical Association, and approximately twenty other medical societies in the Columbia Physical Therapy v. Benton Franklin Orthopedic Associates, et al case.
In the case, Columbia Physical Therapy argued that it was unlawful for a physician group practice to employ physical therapists and offer physical therapy services to its patients under the corporate practice of medicine doctrine, the Washington Professional Service Corporation Act (WPSCA), and the Washington Anti-Rebate Statute, and that such practice violated the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The Washington Supreme Court disagreed, holding that physical therapy is within the physicians' authorized scope of practice of medicine and therefore a physician group practice's offering of physical therapy services is not a violation of the corporate practice of medicine doctrine or the WPSCA.
The Court further found that, under the exemption for charging and collecting for professional services provided by one's own partners and employees set forth in RCW 19.68.040, a physician group practice's provision of physical therapy services through its employed physical therapists did not violate the Anti-Rebate Statute.
Finally, the Court held that any possible deception triggering a CPA violation was a question of fact to be determined by a jury. A copy of the decision can be found at the following link: http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/817341.opn.pdf.
Kristiana Farris O'Brien is an experienced attorney providing business transactions and health law advice to MPBA clients.
MPBA attorneys were successful in a decision handed down by the Washington Supreme Court
March 18, 2010 - Scott B. Easter began representing American Best Foods after they lost their Superior Court case involving insurance coverage. Mr. Easter secured a reversal at Division I of the Court of Appeals. The insurer appealed to the Supreme Court who reaffirmed the Court of Appeals and expanded to heighten the duties of insurers to offer a defense to their insureds. Benjamin I. VandenBerghe did the briefing at the Supreme Court level and Mr. Easter argued the case in the Court of Appeals and before the Supreme Court. To read more about this case, click here.
Congratulations to the talented team at MPBA.
Jonathan Moore Becomes a Member of the Order of the Coif
September 2009 - Seattle, Washington. Jonathan Moore, a recent addition to the associate attorney staff at MPBA, has been elected as a member of the Order of the Coif by virtue of graduating in the top 10% of his class at the University of Washington School of Law. Congratulations, Jonathan.
MPBA Welcomes Two New Associate Attorneys
September 2009 - Seattle, Washington. MPBA is proud to announce the addition of two new associates to the firm. Jonathan R. Moore and Sarah J. Melby joined MPBA in the fall of 2009, upon completing law school at the University of Washington and sitting for the Summer 2009 Washington State Bar exam. Both Jonathan and Sarah intend to focus their practices in the area of litigation. Welcome Jonathan and Sarah!
Dana Reid Passes the California Bar
June 2009 - Dana M. Reid, who has been practicing law in Washington State for more than fifteen years, has passed the California Bar Exam, which was administered in February 2009. She was sworn in to the California Bar on June 1, 2009. Ms. Reid took the California bar exam to be able to better serve her clients who maintain assets in both Washington and California. Though Ms. Reid will maintain her primary practice in Seattle, she will also accept new clients with a California domicile.
Seven MPBA Attorneys Selected as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for 2009
June 2009 - Seattle Washington. The magazine Washington State Law & Politics announced its Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for 2009.
The following MPBA attorneys were named as Super Lawyers for 2009:
The following MPBA attorneys were named as Rising Stars for 2009:
This year's honorees represent decades of experience in various practice areas ranging from Litigation, Corporate Transactions, Estate Planning, Real Estate and Business Law. We applaud our outstanding Super Lawyers and Rising Stars!
MPBA Associates Pass the Summer 2008 Washington State Bar Exam
October 2008 - Seattle, Washington. MPBA would like to congratulate Luke J. Campbell and Jeffrey R. Bashaw for passing the Washington State Bar Exam on their first attempt. Only 71.5% of the total applicants passed this year's exam. Luke and Jeff both joined MPBA as associate attorneys in the fall of 2008.
MPBA Welcomes Two New Associate Attorneys
September 2008 - Seattle, Washington. MPBA is proud to announce the addition of two new associates to the firm. Luke J. Campbell joined MPBA in the fall of 2008. Luke practices commercial and general civil litigation, focusing on real estate-related matters. Jeffrey R. Bashaw also joined the firm in the fall of 2008. Jeff's practice primarily focuses on business, franchise and real estate transactions. Welcome Luke and Jeff!
Wayne M. Blair Honored with Norm Maleng Leadership Award
July 26, 2008 - Seattle Washington. Each year the Washington State Bar Association recognizes outstanding attorneys for their professionalism, community service efforts, and impact upon the legal community. These select lawyers are celebrated at the WSBA Annual Awards Dinner. This year the WSBA created a new honor memorializing the late King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng. Norm passed away in May of 2007, but his legacy continues to inspire lawyers throughout Washington State.
MPBA is humbled that the WSBA selected M. Wayne Blair as the first recipient of the Norm Maleng Leadership Award. This was a special occasion for Wayne as he was a good friend of Norm.
Wayne commented: “Norm Maleng was a special person in my life. We served together as advisers in the residence halls at the University of Washington in 1965. He was my boss and we became good friends. Whether he intended to or not, Norm influenced me in leaving the electrical engineering profession and deciding to attend law school. I am truly honor ed and touched to be named the first recipient of an award in his name.”
Wayne adds this prestigious honor to his President’s Award and Lifetime Service Award earned in previous years. Congratulations, Wayne.
Kristi O'Brien Attends South Asian Bar Association of Washington's Annual Dinner
October 12, 2007 - Seattle, Washington. SABA held the annual event at the W Hotel in downtown Seattle. SABA is committed to advocating issues important to the South Asian community and sponsors several grants and scholarships. This year's keynote speaker, Pramila Jaypal, Director of Hate Free Zone, delivered a rousing speech entitled, "Celebrating Our Achievements, Facing Our Challenges." MPBA member, Kristi O'Brien attended at the invitation of a founding member of SABA and law school classmate, Sandip Soli.
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year®
June 22, 2007 - Seattle, Washington. MPBA would like to congratulate David Fitzgerald of Proliance Surgeons, Inc., P.S. for being selected as a finalist for the 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award for the Health Sciences category. Attorneys, Tammy Roe and Kristi Farris O’Brien, attended the gala held at the Seattle Sheraton Grand Ballroom on June 22. Ironically, Tammy’s husband, EY’s Michael Kucha, presented the award for the Health Sciences category. MPBA thanks Proliance for a wonderful evening and looks forward another successful year.