Civil Litigation, Business & Real Property

Whether you are launching a new venture or restructuring an existing business, choosing the right entity structure is one of the most important decisions you will make. Our attorneys provide strategic guidance on entity selection — including LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships — tailored to Washington state requirements and your specific business goals.

We handle every aspect of formation, from drafting articles of incorporation and operating agreements to establishing buy-sell agreements and succession plans. Our goal is to create a legal foundation that protects your personal assets, minimizes tax exposure, and positions your business for sustainable growth.

For existing businesses considering restructuring, we evaluate your current entity structure and advise on conversions, mergers, or dissolutions when circumstances change. We also assist with franchise agreements, joint ventures, and multi-entity structures for businesses with complex operational needs.

Running a business means navigating a constant stream of legal questions — from contract negotiations and employment issues to regulatory compliance and risk management. Our team serves as your trusted outside general counsel, providing the same level of strategic legal support as an in-house legal department at a fraction of the cost.

We handle day-to-day legal needs including contract drafting and review, corporate governance matters, annual meeting compliance, shareholder communications, and regulatory filings. Our attorneys stay ahead of changes in Washington business law so you can focus on what you do best — growing your business.

Beyond reactive legal support, we take a proactive approach to risk management. We conduct periodic legal audits, review your business practices for potential liability exposure, and develop strategies to prevent disputes before they arise. This forward-thinking counsel saves our clients significant time and money over the long term.

When business disputes escalate beyond negotiation, you need litigation counsel who understands both the legal landscape and the business implications of every decision. Our commercial litigation team has extensive experience in Washington state and federal courts, handling complex disputes involving breach of contract, business torts, partnership and shareholder conflicts, and trade secret misappropriation.

We develop litigation strategies with your business objectives in mind, understanding that the goal is not just to win in court but to achieve the best possible outcome for your enterprise. This means we evaluate every case for early resolution opportunities through negotiation or mediation while preparing aggressively for trial when settlement is not in your best interest.

Our litigation experience spans industries including technology, construction, real estate, healthcare, and professional services. We handle cases involving non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, intellectual property disputes, fraud and misrepresentation claims, and unfair business practices under Washington's Consumer Protection Act.

Real property disputes in Washington can involve significant financial stakes and complex legal issues. Our attorneys represent property owners, developers, landlords, tenants, and homeowners associations in a wide range of real estate matters, from boundary and title disputes to construction defect claims and land use controversies.

We handle cases involving quiet title actions, adverse possession claims, easement disputes, trespass, and encroachment issues. For landlord-tenant matters, we represent both commercial and residential property owners in lease disputes, eviction proceedings, security deposit claims, and compliance with Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.

Our real property practice also covers purchase and sale disputes, real estate fraud, mechanic's lien claims, homeowner association disputes, and eminent domain proceedings. We work closely with surveyors, appraisers, and title companies to build strong cases and protect our clients' property interests throughout Washington state.

Trusts are powerful tools for protecting assets, managing wealth, and ensuring your wishes are carried out — but they also create complex legal relationships and obligations. Our attorneys handle trust formation, modification, and administration, helping grantors create trusts that achieve their goals and guiding trustees through their fiduciary responsibilities.

We assist trustees with understanding their duties of loyalty, care, and impartiality under Washington's Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA). When disputes arise between trustees and beneficiaries, we provide skilled representation in trust contests, accounting disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and petitions for trustee removal or appointment.

Our fiduciary services extend beyond trusts to include guardianship and conservatorship matters, powers of attorney disputes, and representation of personal representatives in estate administration. We help fiduciaries navigate their legal obligations while protecting the interests of the individuals and estates they serve.

Every business registered in Washington is required to maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state. BFQ serves as a professional registered agent for businesses of all sizes, providing a reliable point of contact for service of process, government correspondence, and compliance notifications.

As your registered agent, we ensure that important legal documents are received promptly and forwarded to the appropriate contacts within your organization. This includes lawsuits, subpoenas, tax notices, annual report reminders, and other official communications from the Washington Secretary of State and other government agencies.

Using a law firm as your registered agent provides added benefits beyond simple document handling. Our attorneys can immediately review any legal notices you receive, advise you on required responses and deadlines, and take swift action when time-sensitive matters arise. This gives you peace of mind knowing that critical legal documents are being handled by experienced professionals.

Washington has a 6-year statute of limitations for written contracts (RCW 4.16.040) and 3 years for oral contracts. The state imposes a Business & Occupation (B&O) tax instead of a corporate income tax. Washington is a community property state, which affects business assets owned by married individuals. Real property transactions in Clark County are recorded through the County Auditor's office. Washington follows the Uniform Commercial Code for commercial transactions.