Opinion ID: 2640812
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: An actual conflict of laws exists between the laws of Washington and California with respect to Erwin's claim for fees

Text: ¶ 30 When parties dispute choice of law, there must be an actual conflict between the laws or interests of Washington and the laws or interests of another state before Washington courts will engage in a conflict of laws analysis. Seizer, 132 Wash.2d at 648, 940 P.2d 261 (citing Burnside v. Simpson Paper Co., 123 Wash.2d 93, 100-01, 864 P.2d 937 (1994)). If the result for a particular issue is different under the law of the two states, there is a `real' conflict. Id. at 648, 940 P.2d 261 (citing Pac. Gamble Robinson Co. v. Lapp, 95 Wash.2d 341, 344-45, 622 P.2d 850 (1980), overruling on other grounds recognized by Haley v. Highland, 142 Wash.2d 135, 12 P.3d 119 (2000)). [W]here laws or interests of concerned states do not conflict, the situation presents a `false' conflict and the presumptive local law is applied. Id. at 648-49, 940 P.2d 261 (quoting Burnside, 123 Wash.2d at 101, 864 P.2d 937). ¶ 31 There is an actual conflict between the laws of Washington and the laws of California with respect to Erwin claiming fees under the Agreement for his services as a real estate broker. Both Washington and California law make it unlawful to operate as a real estate broker within each state, respectively, without possessing an in-state license. [15] If Erwin and Cotter were both California residents and all of the events material to this dispute had occurred in California, then the Agreement would be unenforceable because Erwin lacked a California broker's license. See In re Estate of Baldwin, 34 Cal.App.3d 596, 110 Cal.Rptr. 189, 194 (1973) (California contract employing a person without a California broker's license as a real estate broker is illegal, void and unenforceable). By contrast, if Erwin and Cotter were both Washington residents and all material events had occurred in Washington, the Agreement would be enforceable because Erwin did have a Washington broker's license. ¶ 32 These results are differentthus an actual conflict exists. [16]