Hagan & Van Camp, P.S. v. Kassler Escrow, Inc.

Is RCW 19.62 authorizing escrow agents

and other lay persons to perform certain actions with regard to real estate or personal property transactions constitutional? We hold, affirming the trial court, that the legislative action violates Const, art. 4, § 1 inasmuch as therein the Supreme Court is given the exclusive power to regulate the practice of law.

Defendant petitioner is a registered escrow agent under the Escrow Agent Registration Act, RCW 18.44, and employs licensed escrow officers for closing real estate transactions. Petitioner closed several real estate transactions and in the…