About Judy Malmon, J.D.
Judy Malmon has blended law and writing throughout her career. She got her J.D. from University of California, Davis and practiced elder and disability law in California and Minnesota. She honed her writing by drafting appellate decisions in a nationwide class action, writing blogs for law firms, and writing for Westlaw. She loves digging into everyday legal questions, deciphering the complexities of law, and telling personal stories.
Articles written by Judy Malmon, J.D.
Claiming Workers' Comp for Job-Related Stress
Stress is a part of life. For most people, our levels of worry and anxiety fluctuate from day to day based on a wide variety of factors. For some, work is a primary source of stress, typically related to deadlines, responsibility, time management and in-office relationships. But there may be circumstances when work becomes more than an ordinary source of mental stress — when it can actually cause a kind of harm for which an individual may be eligible for workers’ compensation. Under …
A Notary Is Not a Lawyer
When it comes to a notary public, the traditional thinking is that their signature provides a kind of official approval — a rubber stamp that elevates the contents of the document. But this is not so. Unless a notary is also a licensed attorney, their training, duties and authority are limited to witnessing and extrinsic verification (that the document being signed is, for example, a power of attorney). If you need advice, explanation or verification regarding the contents of the documents …
The Public's Right To Know in Washington State
In 2017, a coalition of news agencies in Washington state filed a lawsuit against the Washington State Legislature and its leadership over conflicting interpretations of the state’s public records law. The underlying matter involved requests for documents— emails, calendar entries, text messages—related to claims of sexual harassment within the legislature. Public Access to Information in the State of Washington Public records disclosure laws are intended to ensure that members of the …
State Laws That Protect Freedom of the Press for Students
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of freedom of speech or of the press. Though freedom of the press is a fundamental constitutional right, student journalists often face pressure from school administrators to limit what they publish. In response to this problem, a number of states have passed press freedom laws for student journalists, including students in public and private schools. For more information on state …
Social Media at Work: All Kinds of Ways To Get in Trouble
Social media and work-related activity often overlap. Many companies use social media content for engagement, marketing, or generating traffic. Many employees also use personal social media accounts during the workday, even on company devices. Social media in the workplace can expose employers to potential security threats and harm to reputation. Employers need strong and consistent company policies. Employees also need training to reduce the risk of harm. For more information about employee …
Tips for a Family Business Succession Plan
When starting or taking over a family business, you may not be thinking about how it will survive in the future. But succession planning is an important consideration at all stages of business development. In a family business, where relationships are more than professional and multiple family members can bring differing perspectives, this can be particularly critical. Family Businesses Big and Small Family-owned businesses, where more than one member of a single family shares in small business …
Can My Special Needs Student Be Suspended or Expelled?
All children test boundaries in an effort to learn what’s acceptable and what’s off limits. At best, each child will have sufficient relationships with parents, teachers, counselors, and other adults. In the school year and beyond, these adults can help create a strong network of nurturing, teaching, modeling, and correcting. However, there will always be exceptions. As an early intervention, schools have policies and practices for disciplining student behavior. If a child’s behavior …
Can You Sue the City for Potholes?
Dealing with winter driving is bad enough. But just when the welcome rays of spring begin: Bam! You hit a giant hole, smack in the middle of the road, blowing out your tire, maybe also damaging your rims, alignment or axle. It could be hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars to fix. But is it possible to recover the cost of the repairs from the local government, city, county or state whose road caused it? Maybe. The Problem With Potholes While potholes may seem like a relatively trivial matter, …
How To Seek Academic Advancement for a Special Ed Student
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all students enrolled in programs receiving federal funds are entitled to a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE). Sounds great, but what do these federal laws mean? Throughout the last three decades, the definition of this standard has been the subject of analysis and refinement, as well as geographic divisions, but was not unified by a single national standard until the …
Legal Liability for Opioid Deaths
The United States continues to face the crisis of opioid addiction. Many states have taken legal action against drug companies for their role in creating and perpetuating the opioid crisis. These lawsuits alleged that drug manufacturers and distributors improperly marketed and distributed these dangerous drugs, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths. Most of the lawsuits have settled, but victims of the defective products continue to suffer. If you have questions about taking part in a …
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