State is liable for safety of foster children, Washington Supreme Court rules

By Agueda Pacheco-Flores and Paige Cornwell   | The Seattle Times The Washington State Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the state is responsible for the welfare of children after they’re placed with foster parents, broadening protections for more than 10,000 kids in government custody. In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled that the state Department of Social and Health Services … Read More

Attorney Meaghan M. Driscoll awarded WSAJ’s Ready to Soar Award

WSAJ EAGLE Meaghan Driscoll of Connelly Law Offices received WSAJ’s Ready to Soar New Lawyer Award: “To a star in the making. In recognition of your exceptional dedication to seeking justice for your clients and for introducing new attorneys to join you in advancing the mission of WSAJ.” The award was presented by WSAJ EAGLE Will Dixon of the Dixon … Read More

Attorney Lincoln C. Beauregard awarded WSAJ’s Trial Lawyer of the Year

WSAJ EAGLE Jack Connelly of Connelly Law Offices bestowed one of the greatest honors a trial lawyer can receive upon a former intern, a current partner and great friend. WSAJ EAGLE Lincoln C. Beauregard of Connelly Law Offices is WSAJ’s Trial Lawyer of the Year! Congratulations, Lincoln, on your amazing body of work on behalf of your clients and the … Read More

Family of unarmed black man killed by SWAT sniper settles for $13 million

By Agueda Pacheco-Flores   | The Seattle Times The city of Lakewood, its police chief and two officers have dropped an appeal of a record $15.1 million jury verdict in the 2013 SWAT-team sniper-death of Leonard Thomas, an unarmed black man who was killed as he clutched his 4-year-old son following a four-hour standoff, and have agreed to pay Thomas’ family … Read More

Lawsuit: Former Bellevue College dean raped assistant for years

Multiple people have complained against the man, attorneys claim By Lynsi Burton, SeattlePI Updated 4:09 pm PDT, Tuesday, August 14, 2018 Editor’s note: SeattlePI is withholding the plaintiff’s name to protect her privacy. After S.R. began working at Bellevue College in 2009, as a front desk representative for the Assistant Dean for Student Programs, she was promoted quickly from a … Read More

Ballard High student charged with on-campus rape

  Demonte Rigney was a stand-out football player for Ballard High School. On Tuesday, he was charged with sexually assaulting a female student during class last spring. “I was afraid, so I did everything he told me,” the alleged victim told KIRO 7 during a recent interview. As an alleged sexual assault victim, KIRO 7 has agreed not to reveal … Read More

Western State employee misconduct cases spark concern

Employee misconduct cases at Western State Hospital raise concerns about the psychiatric hospital’s culture and staff supervision. Author: Chris Ingalls Published: 1:00 PM PDT July 11, 2018 Updated: 6:25 AM PDT July 12, 2018 A KING 5 investigation reveals a rash of employee misconduct at Western State Hospital, the troubled state mental institution that evaluates and treats mentally ill criminal … Read More