Published Decisions - Catherine Wright Smith

Matter of Marriage of Hauk & Wuesthoff  

__ Wn. App. 2d __, __ P.3d __, No. 59057-3-II (2025)

Snyder v. Virginia Mason Med. Ctr.  

__ Wn. App. 2d __, __ P.3d __, No. 83526-2-I (2025) (ex parte contact with treating physician)

Al Hayek v. Miles  

33 Wn. App. 2d 541, 562 P.3d 1270 (2025) (standard for new trial on grounds of implicit bias)

Cox v. Fulmer  

31 Wn. App. 2d 485, 555 P.3d 431 (2024) (domestic violence protection order)

Simbulan v. Nw. Hosp. & Med. Ctr.  

32 Wn. App. 2d 164,  555 P.3d 455 (2024) (standard for new trial on grounds of implicit bias)

Matter of Guardianship of L.C.  

28 Wn. App. 2d 766, 538 P.3d 309 (2023) (minor guardianship)

R.K. v. United States Bowling Cong.  

27 Wn. App. 2d 187, 531 P.3d 901 (2023) (statute of limitations for sex abuse; vicarious liability for failure to supervise)

StarKist Co. v. State  

25 Wn. App.2d 83, 522 P.3d 594, rev. denied, 1 Wn.3d 1011 (2023) (reversal of summary judgment for State on restitutionary measure on CPA claim)

Tisdale v. APRO LLC  

25 Wn. App.2d 47, 522 P.3d 116 (2022) (allocation of damages to intentional tortfeasor)

Marriage of Abbess  

23 Wn. App.2d 479, 516 P.3d 443 (2022) (child relocation)

DeVogel v. Padilla  

 22 Wn. App.2d 39, 509 P.3d 832 (2022) (modification of parenting plan)

Marriage of Lesinski & Mienko  

21 Wn. App.2d 501, 506 P.3d 1277 (2022) (contempt)

Carroll v. Akebono Brake Corp.  

22 Wn. App.2d 845, 514 P.3d 720 (2022), rev. denied, 200 Wn.2d 1023 (2023) (reversing dismissal of plaintiff's asbestos claim for alleged discovery violations and remanding for trial on the merits)

Davies v. MultiCare Health Sys.  

199 Wn.2d 608, 510 P.3d 346 (2022) (medical malpractice/informed consent)

Fite v. Mudd  

19 Wn. App.2d 917, 498 P.3d 538 (2021), rev. denied, 200 Wn.2d 1004 (2022) (intoxication defense)

Serpanok Constr., Inc. v. Point Ruston, LLC  

19 Wn. App.2d 237, 495 P.3d 271 (2021), rev. denied, 199 Wn.2d 1006 (2022) (liability of guarantor)

Norg v. City of Seattle  

18 Wn. App.2d 399, 491 P.3d 237 (2021), aff'd, 200 Wn.2d 749, 522 P.3d 580 (2023) (municipal liability)

Matter of Custody of SA-M  

17 Wn. App.2d 939, 489 P.3d 259, rev. denied, 198 Wn.2d 1021 (2021) (de facto parentage)

In re E.J.S.  

16 Wn. App.2d 776, 483 P.3d 110 (2021) (restricted stock units/child support)

Beauregard v. Washington State Bar Association  

197 Wn.2d 67, 480 P.3d 410 (2021) (Open Public Meetings Act)

Gerlach v. Cove Apartments, LLC  

8 Wn. App.2d 813, 437 P.3d 690 (2019), rev'd, 196 Wn.2d 111, 471 P.3d 181 (2020) (intoxication defense; premises liability)

Estate of Petelle  

8 Wn. App.2d 714, 440 P.3d 1026 (2019), aff'd, 195 Wn.2d 661, 462 P.3d 848 (2020) (intestate succession, property settlement agreement)

Messenger v. Whitemarsh  

13 Wn. App.2d 206, 462 P.3d 861 (2020) (malpractice liability for mental health services)

Marriage of Bundy and Rush  

12 Wn. App.2d 933, 460 P.3d 1111 (2020) (imputed income/child support)

Mohandessi v. Urban Venture, LLC  

13 Wn. App.2d 681, 468 P.3d 622 (2020), rev. denied, 196 Wn.2d 1043 (2021)

McLelland v. Paxton  

11 Wn. App.2d 181, 453 P.3d (2019)

Group Health Cooperative v. Coon  

193 Wn.2d 841, 447 P.3d 139 (2019) (subrogation)

Marriage of Groves  

10 Wn. App.2d 249, 447 P.3d 643 (2019) (characterization of disability pension) 

Estate of Little  

9 Wn. App.2d 262, 444 P.3d 23 (2019) (probate)

Beltran-Serrano v. City of Tacoma  

193 Wn.2d 537, 442 P.3d 608 (2019) (public duty doctrine)

Everi Payments, Inc. v. Washington State Department of Revenue  

6 Wn. App.2d 580, 432 P.3d 411 (2018) (B&O taxes)

Marriage of Snider and Stroud  

6 Wn. App.2d 310, 430 P.3d 726 (2018) (relocation)

Marriage of Rounds  

4 Wn. App.2d 801, 423 P.3d 895 (2018) (retention of jurisdiction)

Marriage of Kaplan  

4 Wn. App.2d 466, 421 P.3d 1046 (2018) (property division, maintenance after long-term marriage)

Gosney v. Fireman's Fund Insurance Company  

3 Wn. App.2d 828, 419 P.3d 447 (2018) (insurance bad faith)

Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle v. RBS Securities, Inc.  

3 Wn. App.2d 642, 418 P.3d 168 (2018) (Washington Securities Act)

Gilmore v. Jefferson County Public Transportation Benefit Area  

190 Wn.2d 483, 415 P.3d 212 (2018) (new trial; preservation of error)

Roake v. Delman   

189 Wn.2d 775, 408 P.3d 658 (2018) (evidentiary requirements of SAPO)

Murray v. Southern Route Maritime SA  

870 F.3d 915 (9th Cir. 2017) (admiralty; Daubert evidence)

C.L. v. State Department of Social and Health Services  

200 Wn. App. 189, 402 P.3d 346 (2017) (governmental liability)

Zhaoyun Xia v. ProBuilders Specialty Insurance Company RRG  

188 Wn.2d 171, 400 P.3d 1234  (2017) (liability insurance coverage for efficient proximate cause; duty to defend)

Marriage of Ruff and Worthley  

198 Wn. App. 419, 393 P.3d 859 (2017) (50/50 parenting plan and relocation act)

Boyd v. Sunflower Properties, LLC  

197 Wn. App. 137, 389 P.3d 626 (2016) (implied easement)

Newman v. Highland School District No. 203  

186 Wn.2d 769, 381 P.3d 1188 (2016) (attorney-client privilege)

Binschus v. State  

186 Wn.2d 573, 390 P.3d 468 (2016) (municipal liability)

Custody of M.W.  

185 Wn.2d 803, 374 P.3d 1169 (2016) (defacto parenting)

Roake v. Delman  

194 Wn. App. 442, 337 P.3d 258 (2016) (evidentiary requirements of SAPO)

Marriage of Aiken  

194 Wn. App. 159, 374 P.3d 265 (2016) (child support)

Estate of Hook  

193 Wn. App. 862, 374 P.3d 215 (2016) (execution of wills)

King County v. Vinci Const. Grand Projects  

191 Wn. App. 142, 364 P.3d 784 (2015) (public surety bond)

Wuth ex rel. Kessler v. Laboratory Corp. of America  

189 Wn. App. 660, 359 P.3d 841 (2015), rev. denied, 185 Wn.2d 1007 (2016) (wrongful life)

Walsh v. Reynolds  

183 Wn. App. 830, 335 P.3d 984, rev. denied, 345 P.3d 784 (2014) (committed intimate, same-sex relationships)

Anderson v. Dussault  

181 Wn.2d 360, 333 P.3d 395 (2014) (statute of limitations; breach of fiduciary duty)

LK Operating, LLC v. Collection Group, LLC  

168 Wn. App. 862, 279 P.3d 448, 287 P.3d 628 (2012), aff'd on other grounds, 181 Wn.2d 48, 331 P.3d 1147 (2014) (rescission)

Fair v. Powers & Therrien  

181 Wn.2d 117, 330 P.3d 190 (2014) (damages)

Holmquist v. King County  

182 Wn. App. 200, 328 P.3d 1000, rev. denied, 181 Wn.2d 1029 (2014) (effect of street vacation), after remand 192 Wn. App. 551, 368 P.3d 234 (2016) (delay damages on appeal)

Marriage of Wright  

179 Wn. App. 257, 319 P.3d 45, rev. denied, 180 Wn.2d 1019 (2014) (property division)

Marriage of Valente  

179 Wn. App. 817, 320 P.3d 115 (2014) (property division)

Custody of B.M.H.  

165 Wn. App. 361, 267 P.3d 499 (2011), aff'd in part, rev'd in part, 179 Wn.2d 224, 315 P.3d 470 (2013) (third party custody; defacto parentage)

Marriage of Larson and Calhoun  

178 Wn. App. 133, 313 P.3d 1228 (2013), rev. denied, 180 Wn.2d 1011 (2014) (division of property)

Bank of America, N.A. v. Owens  

153 Wn. App. 115, 221 P.3d 917 (2009), aff'd in part, rev'd in part, 173 Wn.2d 40, 266 P.3d 211 (2011), after remand, 177 Wn. App. 181, 311 P.3d 594 (2013) (priority of judgments; decision on remand)

National Surety Corp. v. Immunex Corp.  

162 Wn. App. 762, 256 P.3d 439, aff'd, 176 Wn.2d. 872, 297 P.3d 688 (2013) (insurer's liability for attorney fees in absence of duty to defend)

Washington Builders Ben. Trust  

173 Wn. App. 34, 293 P.3d 1206, rev. denied, 177 Wn.2d 1018 (2013) (breach of trust)

Oytan v. Oytan  

171 Wn. App. 781, 288 P.3d 57 (2012), rev. denied, 177 Wn.2d 1017 (2013) (personal jurisdiction)

In re G.W.-F.  

170 Wn. App. 631, 285 P.3d 208 (2012) (committed intimate relationship)

Litchfield v. KPMG, LLP  

170 Wn. App. 431, 285 P.3d 172 (2012), rev. denied, 177 Wn.2d 1013 (2013) (Minimum Wage Act)

Katare v. Katare  

125 Wn. App. 813, 105 P.3d 44 (2004), after remand, 175 Wn.2d 23, 283 P.3d 546 (2012), cert. denied, 133 S. Ct. 889 (2013) (passport restrictions in parenting plan)

Tatham v. Rogers  

170 Wn. App. 76, 283 P.3d 583 (2012) (appearance of fairness)

Anfinson v. FedEx Ground Package System, Inc.  

159 Wn. App. 35, 244 P.3d 32 (2010), aff'd, 174 Wn.2d 851, 281 P.3d 289 (2012) (Minimum Wage Act)

Probst v. State Dept. of Retirement Systems  

167 Wn. App. 180, 271 P.3d 966 (2012) (retirement class action)

Spradlin Rock Products, Inc. v. PUD No. 1 of Grays Harbor County  

164 Wn. App. 641, 266 P.3d 229 (2011) (contract)

Westberry v. Interstate Distributor Co.  

164 Wn. App. 196, 263 P.3d 1251 (2011), rev. denied, 174 Wn.2d 1013 (2012) (Minimum Wage Act)

In re K.R.P.  

160 Wn. App. 215, 247 P.3d 491, rev. denied, 171 Wn.2d 1033 (2011) (Uniform Parentage Act)

Bennett v. Smith Bunday Berman Britton, P.S.  

156 Wn. App. 293, 234 P.3d 236 (2010), aff'd, 176 Wn.2d 303, 291 P.3d 886 (2013) (open courts; sealing court files)

Marriage of Rockwell  

141 Wn. App. 235, 170 P.3d 572 (2007), rev. denied, 163 Wn.2d 1055 (2008), appeal after remand, 157 Wn. App. 449, 238 P.3d 1184 (2010), rev. denied of unpublished decision after second remand, 176 Wn.2d 1012 (2013) (valuation and characterization of pension plans; division of marital estate)

Corey v. Pierce County  

154 Wn. App. 752, 225 P.3d 367, rev. denied, 170 Wn.2d 1016 (2010) (wrongful termination, defamation)

Marriage of Krieger and Walker  

147 Wn. App. 952, 199 P.3d 450 (2008) (child support)

Costanich v. Washington State Dept. of Social and Health Services  

138 Wn. App. 547, 156 P.3d 232 (2007), rev'd, 164 Wn.2d 925, 194 P.3d 988 (2008) (fees under Equal Access to Justice Act)

Custody of E.A.T.W.  

144 Wn. App. 865, 184 P.3d 668 (2008), aff'd, 168 Wn.2d 335, 227 P.3d 1284 (2010) (third party custody)

Ducote v. Dept. of Social & Health Services  

144 Wn. App. 531, 186 P.3d 1081 (2008), aff'd, 167 Wn.2d 697, 222 P.3d 785 (2009) (DSHS liability to step-parent for negligent investigation)

Marriage of R.E.  

144 Wn. App. 393, 183 P.3d 339 (2008) (sealing court files)

Angelo v. Angelo  

142 Wn. App. 622, 175 P.3d 1096, rev. denied, 164 Wn.2d 1017 (2008) (UFTA liability)

Kwiatkowski v. Drews  

142 Wn. App. 463, 176 P.3d 510, rev. denied, 164 Wn.2d 1005 (2008) (statute of limitations; claims against fiduciaries)

Fluor Enterprises, Inc. v. Walter Const., Ltd.  

141 Wn. App. 761, 172 P.3d 368 (2007) (finality and enforceability of judgments)

Estate of Borghi  

141 Wn. App. 294, 169 P.3d 847 (2007), aff'd, 167 Wn.2d 480, 219 P.3d 932 (2009) (presumption of community property)

Parentage of M.F.  

141 Wn. App. 558, 170 P.3d 601(2007), aff'd, 168 Wn.2d 528, 228 P.3d 1270 (2010) (de facto parentage)

Marriage of Bernard  

137 Wn. App. 827, 155 P.3d 171 (2007), aff'd, 165 Wn.2d 895, 204 P.3d 907 (2009) (enforceability of marital agreements)

Marriage of Mueller  

140 Wn. App. 498, 167 P.3d 568 (2007), rev. denied, 163 Wn.2d 1043 (2009) (enforceability of oral property agreements)

State ex rel. M.M.G. v. Graham  

123 Wn. App. 931, 99 P.3d 1248 (2004), aff'd in part, rev'd in part, 159 Wn.2d 623, 152 P.3d 1005 (2007) (residential credits; child support calculations)

McCausland v. McCausland  

129 Wn. App. 390, 118 P.3d 944 (2005), rev'd, 159 Wn.2d 607, 152 P.3d 1013 (2007) (extrapolation of child support)

Parentage of C.S.  

134 Wn. App. 141, 139 P.3d 366 (2006) (paternity; statute of limitations)

Disciplinary Proceedings Against Poole  

156 Wn.2d 196, 125 P.3d 954 (2006) (attorney discipline)

Helenius v. Chelius  

131 Wn. App. 421, 120 P.3d 954 (2005), rev. denied, 158 Wn.2d 1026 (2007) (abuse of process; setoff of judgments)

Marriage of Holmes  

128 Wn. App. 727, 117 P.3d 370 (2005) (child support; extrapolation)

Marriage of Daubert/Johnson  

124 Wn. App. 483, 99 P.3d 401 (2004) (child support)

Chai v. Kong  

122 Wn. App. 247, 93 P.3d 936 (2004) (vacation of judgment)

Marriage of Horner  

114 Wn. App. 495, 58 P.3d 317 (2002), rev'd, 151 Wn.2d 884, 93 P.3d 124 (2004) (parental relocation)

In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Michels  

150 Wn.2d 159, 75 P.3d 950 (2003), cert. denied, 540 U.S. 1112 (2004) (judicial discipline)

Chumbley v. Beckmann  

110 Wn. App. 871, 43 P.3d 53 (2002), as modified by 150 Wn.2d 1, 74 P.3d 129 (2003) (stock options)

Marriage of Waters  

116 Wn. App. 211, 63 P.3d 137 (2002)

Dewberry v. George  

115 Wn. App. 351, 62 P.3d 525, rev. denied, 150 Wn.2d 1006 (2003) (property division; prenuptial agreements)

Lundberg ex rel. Orient Foundation v. Coleman  

115 Wn. App. 172, 60 P.3d 595 (2002), rev. denied, 150 Wn.2d 1010 (2003) (non-profit corporations)

Dependency of J.W.H.  

106 Wn. App. 714, 24 P.3d 1105 (2001), rev'd, 147 Wn.2d 687, 57 P.3d 266 (2002) (rights of intervenors in dependency actions)

Marriage of Grigsby  

112 Wn. App. 1, 57 P.3d 1166 (2002) (Child Relocation Act)

Parentage of J.H.  

112 Wn. App. 486, 49 P.3d 154 (2002), rev. denied, 148 Wn.2d 1024 (2003) (parenting plans)

Marriage of Wallace  

111 Wn. App. 697, 45 P.3d 1131 (2002), rev. denied, 148 Wn.2d 1011 (2003) (division of property)

Marriage of Ayyad  

110 Wn. App. 462, 38 P.3d 1033, rev. denied, 147 Wn.2d 1016 (2002) (child support)

Magnusson v. Johannesson  

108 Wn. App. 109, 29 P.3d 1256 (2001) (modification of parenting plan)

Luvaas Family Farms v. Ferrell Family Farms  

106 Wn. App. 399, 23 P.3d 1111 (2001) (scope of review of arbitration award)

Troxel v. Granville  

530 U.S. 57, 120 S. Ct. 2054, 147 L. Ed. 2d 49 (2000), affirming Custody of Smith, 137 Wn.2d 1, 969 P.2d 21 (1998) (constitutionality of third party visitation statute)

In Re Pennington  

142 Wn.2d 592, 14 P.3d 764 (2000), reversing Chesterfield v. Nash, 96 Wn. App. 103, 978 P.2d 551 (1999) (meretricious relationships)

Custody of Nunn  

103 Wn. App. 871, 14 P.3d 175 (2000) (third party custody)

Christel v. Blanchard  

101 Wn. App. 13, 1 P.3d 600 (2000) (parenting plan modification)

DGHI Enterprises v. Pacific Cities, Inc.  

91 Wn. App. 109, 956 P.2d 324 (1998), rev'd, 137 Wn.2d 933, 977 P.2d 1231 (1999) (finality of judgment)

Disciplinary Proceedings Against Turco  

137 Wn.2d 227, 970 P.2d 731 (1999) (judicial discipline)

Neel v. Luther Child Center  

98 Wn. App. 390, 989 P.2d 600 (1999) (medical records)

Rogerson Hiller Corp. v. Port of Port Angeles  

96 Wn. App. 918, 982 P.2d 131 (1999), rev. denied, 140 Wn.2d 1010 (2000) (attorney fees)

Knies v. Knies  

96 Wn. App. 243, 979 P.2d 482 (1999) (CR 60)

State ex rel. Quick-Ruben v. Verharen  

136 Wn.2d 888, 969 P.2d 64 (1998) (judicial elections)

Marriage of C.M.C.  

87 Wn. App. 84, 940 P.2d 669 (1997), aff'd, 136 Wn.2d 800, 966 P.2d 1247 (1998) (parenting plan)

Leslie v. Verhey  

90 Wn. App. 796, 954 P.2d 330 (1998), rev. denied, 137 Wn.2d 1003 (1999) (child support modification)

Marriage of Jacobson  

90 Wn. App. 738, 954 P.2d 297, rev. denied, 136 Wn.2d 1023 (1998) (shared custody)

Auburn Mechanical, Inc. v. Lydig Construction, Inc.  

89 Wn. App. 893, 951 P.2d 311, rev. denied, 136 Wn.2d 1009 (1998) (jury trial)

Marriage of Briscoe  

82 Wn. App. 529, 919 P.2d 84 (1996), rev'd, 134 Wn.2d 344, 949 P.2d 1388(1998) (child support)

Marriage of Farr  

87 Wn. App.177, 940 P.2d 679 (1997), rev. denied, 134 Wn.2d 1014 (1999) (contempt)

Marriage of Schneider  

82 Wn. App. 471, 918 P.2d 543 (1996), rev'd, 133 Wn.2d 39 (1997) (travel restrictions)

Marriage of Wicklund  

84 Wn. App. 763, 932 P.2d 652 (1996) (restrictions on gay parents)

Marriage of Harrington  

85 Wn. App. 613, 935 P.2d 1357 (1997) (property division)

Snokist Growers v. WIGA  

83 Wn. App. 496, 922 P.2d 821 (1996), rev. denied, 131 Wn.2d 1010 (1997) (environmental coverage)

CTVC of Hawaii, Co. v. Shinawatra  

82 Wn. App. 699, 919 P.2d 1243 (1996), op. modified, 932 P.2d 664, rev. denied, 131 Wn.2d 1020 (1997) (long-arm jurisdiction)

Pfaff v. H.U.D.  

88 F.3d 739 (9th Cir. 1996) (familial status discrimination)

In re Firestorm 1991  

129 Wn.2d 130, 916 P.2d 411 (1996) (attorney disqualification)

Seattle Seahawks, Inc. v. King County  

128 Wn.2d 915, 913 P.2d 375 (1996) (priority of action)

Marriage of Sheley  

78 Wn. App. 494, 895 P.2d 850 (1995), rev. denied, 128 Wn.2d 1009 (1996) (travel restrictions)

Marriage of Short  

71 Wn. App. 426, 859 P.2d 636 (1993), aff'd in part, rev'd in part, 125 Wn.2d 865, 890 P.2d 12 (1995) (stock option characterization)

State v. Young  

123 Wn.2d 173, 867 P.2d 593 (1994) (infrared surveillance; search and seizure)

Ellis v. William Penn Life Assur. Co. of America  

67 Wn. App. 1048 (1992), rev'd, 124 Wn.2d 1, 873 P.2d 1195 (1994)

U.S. v. Becerra  

992 F.2d 960 (9th Cir. 1993) (entrapment; duress)

Waite v. Morisette  

68 Wn. App. 521, 843 P.2d 1121, 851 P.2d 1241, rev. denied, 122 Wn.2d 1006 (1993) (effect of settlement under Tort Reform Act)

Parry v. Hewitt  

68 Wn. App. 664, 847 P.2d 483 (1992) (restrictive covenants)

Hedlund v. White  

67 Wn. App. 409, 836 P.2d 250 (1992) (surface water)

Marriage of Nuss  

65 Wn. App. 334, 828 P.2d 627 (1992) (defunct marriage)

George v. Helliar  

62 Wn. App. 378, 814 P.2d 238 (1991) (parenting plan modification)

Marriage of Williams  

56 Wn. App. 138, 782 P.2d 1087 (1989), rev'd, 115 Wn.2d 202, 796 P.2d 421 (1990) (maintenance)

Custody of Stell  

56 Wn. App. 356, 783 P.2d 615 (1989) (third-party custody)