StokesLaw™ Briefs

On November 22, 2016, a federal judge in Texas granted a nationwide preliminary injunction that prevents new Department of Labor overtime rules from going into effect on December 1. Krista Nelson explains what employers should do now.

On November 8, 2016, Washington voters approved mandatory sick leave for employees and a statewide minimum wage increase. Initiative 1433 passed with a 59 percent voter approval rate, according to the most recent election tally, and will require many Washington employers to make significant changes. Krista Nelson explains what steps employers should take to prepare for these changes.

Washington wine grape growers enjoy automatic super-priority lien status on wine grapes they sell to wine producers; however, this priority can be lost if growers fail to timely file wine producer lien statements. Charissa Johnston and Dustin Yeager explain how growers can avoid losing this priority.

The end of the year often means gift giving, and many families consider contributing to savings for a child's future college education as a gift. Ellen Jackson outlines the differences between Guaranteed Education Tuition Programs and 529 Plans.

Accelerating a defaulted loan seems almost automatic. There will be times when the statute of limitations may lead to a different decision. Tom Lerner explains that the Court of Appeals holds that the decision to accelerate must be explicitly stated. It is not enough to leave it to be inferred.

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries announced that piece rate workers who earn a nondiscretionary bonus are entitled to additional rest break pay. Sarah Wixson explains the impact of this policy and how employers should calculate rest break pay.