Commercial landlords in Washington often lose lease disputes not because of bad faith or negligence, but because one poorly worded clause in their lease hands the tenant a legal advantage. Washington courts apply the ambiguity doctrine against the drafter, which is almost always the landlord. The five provisions that create the most risk are default notice language, maintenance allocation, permitted use definitions, assignment approval requirements, and holdover terms. Accepting rent from a defaulting tenant, failing to document agreements in writing, and relying on a lease that has never been reviewed by an attorney are the most common mistakes that turn manageable disputes into expensive litigation. A lease review before a dispute develops is the most cost-effective step a commercial landlord can take, and it is far less expensive than King County Superior Court.
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Testimonials
I enjoy working with Bryn. He is great at picking up the legal details that I miss when we are putting contracts together. He is thorough and asks great questions. His legal knowledge is excellent and he is often able to provide a challenge that leads to a better result.
Ian D.
Bryn has been an outstanding lawyer to work with. He is conscientious and always on top of things. Not only does he stay on top of the small details of the job, but also keeps the big picture in focus. He is personable and easy to work with, and has a good sense of humor. Highly recommended!
Elton L.
Bryn has been a big asset to me as he is always thorough and has impeccable integrity. Bryn’s knowledge and skills have made it easy to accomplish projects on time and on budget. He always has a great attitude and is a pleasure to work with.
Ray C.
I had the pleasure of working with Bryn when he was our inside counsel. Our interactions were centered around supplier contracts and the occasional issue where I needed guidance. Bryn was always helpful, thoughtful and thorough in his responses. Very good to work with.
Scot R.
Bryn was detailed and thorough in reviewing agreements. Bryn was responsive and communicated well the major points I need to be aware of before signing an agreement. Bryn was personable and was knowledgeable in his area of study.
William C.
Bryn helped with a few members who were in dealing with legal situations. I was very pleased with his ability to listen and understand their situations and to provide a well thought out conclusion that was fact based. Each situation meet the demands and needs of our members.
Monty S.