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Clayton Graham

Clayton Graham

Recent Articles

New Rule Limits Agency Consultation Under Endangered Species Act

Clayton Graham
December 23, 2008 18:39

New Rule Limits Agency Consultation under Endangered Species Act: In a move decried by many environmentalist groups, the Interior Department finalized a rule which changes the way government agencies administer and comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This new rule allows agencies to...

Statute of Frauds - Legal Description Requirements Strictly Enforced

Clayton Graham
November 20, 2008 21:00

  A recent Division One Court of Appeals case highlights the importance of including an unambiguous legal description in any contract for the sale of real property. The Court has once again strictly enforced the Statute of Frauds, which requires a description of the land to be transferred...

Development Buffers under the Endangered Species Act?

Clayton Graham
November 20, 2008 18:25

  A consultation under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) could potentially impact development on property near shorelines in Washington State. In response to a consultation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a...

Ballard Denny's Demolition Decision

Clayton Graham
June 25, 2008 18:08

The owners of the Ballard Denny's site in Seattle have acted quickly now that the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board has cleared the way for demolition of the building (Discussed in the June 3rd entry on this blog).  On June 24, the Seattle Times reported that the building was...

Washington's Domestic Partnership Law Soon to Expand Community Property Rights

Clayton Graham
June 04, 2008 01:35

On June 12, 2008, a number of provisions of HB 3104 - 2007-08 will go into effect, which will expand the rights of registered domestic partners to include property rights previously enjoyed only by married individuals.  The text of the session law can be viewed here   Under the new...