Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig

10/16/2026

If an insurer denies a medication you need and cannot safely stop taking, you can appeal that decision. However, the ordinary appeal calendar, which runs thirty to sixty days, may take too long. Virginia and D.C. law both build a faster track for exactly this situation. Here is what you need to know.

Read more: https://www.dbllawyers.com/your-options-in-virginia-and-dc-health-insurance-denied-medication/

By: Alex Rowan

10/06/2026

Congratulations to DBL Partner Buckley Warden who recently became the only attorney member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 17A Technical Committee. His legal perspective will be a valuable addition to the committee's work on fire protection standards. We are proud to have him on our team!

10/01/2026

If you own a Washington business, your company is probably your legacy and your largest asset causing a future-potential liquidity problem. If your business is growing, this can push your estate’s net worth past the Washington state ($3 million per person in 2026) or federal estate tax exemptions ($15 million per person for 2026) creating potential tax liability that must be paid by your estate.

Read more: https://www.dbllawyers.com/business-legacy-planning-in-washington/

By: Dubs Herschlip

09/30/2026

There are many new business owners who have some confusion regarding what copyright is and why it is important. For content creators, musicians, authors, graphic designers, photographers, influencers, production companies, designers in the fashion industry, and artists, copyright is even more critical to comprehend.

Read more: https://www.dbllawyers.com/copyright-registration-why-you-should-register-before-infringement-occurs/

By: Chris Arakaky

For entrepreneurs, registering their work with the United States Copyright Office should happen as soon as possible to stop others from undermining their business efforts.

09/30/2026

After another year of cannabis existing in a legal grey area – with some states allowing recreational and medical ma*****na and the federal government barely enforcing the Controlled Substance Act against cannabis companies – 2025 brought an interesting ruling from the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.

Read more: https://www.dbllawyers.com/cannabis-trademarks-in-federal-court-bbk-tobacco-decision-for-2026/

By: Michael Shafer

After another year of cannabis existing in a legal grey area – with some states allowing recreational and medical ma*****na and the federal government barely enforcing...

09/30/2026

From disputes between neighbors to conflicts involving commercial construction, trespass to property is a significant legal issue that can arise in various contexts. In Virginia, the law provides a framework for addressing these matters, particularly regarding the measure of damages that may be recovered by property owners.

Read more: https://www.dbllawyers.com/understanding-trespass-damages-to-real-property-in-virginia/

By: Andy Webb

09/29/2026

You named the brand, poured a marketing budget into it, launched it, and started collecting invoices. Then a routine search, or worse, a letter in the mail, tells you that another business has been using a confusingly similar or even identical mark for the same goods or services. The instinct is to assume the worst; do I have to rebuild the brand? Did I just waste my marketing budget? Or should I anticipate a lawsuit?

Read more: https://www.dbllawyers.com/someone-else-is-already-using-an-identical-mark-to-mine-options/

By: Jane Cho

09/25/2026

Anyone who has chased a federal contract knows the moment. The award goes to a competitor, and the company has a short window to decide whether to protest, where to file, and whether it’s even worth it. The FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (“NDAA”) just made that decision more complicated, and not in the way most of the coverage suggests.

Read more: https://www.dbllawyers.com/what-the-fy2026-ndaa-changes-for-bid-protests/

By: Leo Sun

09/24/2026

Preparing for a deposition means knowing the common tactics opposing counsel uses to trip up witnesses: over-answering, controlling your pace, baiting you into guessing, digging for embarrassing facts, and repeating questions to make you second-guess yourself. The best defense is simple: answer only what’s asked, take your time before responding, say “I don’t know” when you don’t, and always tell the truth. Understanding these five tactics in advance can help you testify clearly and avoid common deposition traps.

Read more: https://www.dbllawyers.com/five-strategies-opposing-counsel-use-to-undermine-deposition-testimony-and-how-to-counter/

By: John Deming

To learn more about Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, visit dbllawyers.com.

09/23/2026

Rule 701 allows startups to pay employees, consultants, and advisors with equity without registering those securities with the SEC. Recent SEC guidance clarifies key details: when enhance disclosure is required, how repriced options restricted stock count toward the $10 million threshold, and how mergers affect an acquirer’s limits. Startups issuing equity compensation should review their employee equity plans against this guidance before their next grant.

Read more: https://www.dbllawyers.com/what-the-secs-march-2026-rule-701-guidance-means-for-startups-sweat-equity/

By: Brendan Thompson

To learn more about Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, visit dbllawyers.com.