Carney Badley Spellman, P.S. is a Pacific Northwest law firm located in Seattle, Washington. Our clients will tell you we are known for providing exceptional value in legal services by recognizing case objectives early and obtaining cost-effective results. The Carney firm provides legal services in business, litigation, construction, government affairs and insurance to individuals and to privately-held and publicly-traded companies.
Dean V. Butler, a principal, joined the firm in 2002. He was formerly a shareholder at the Seattle law firm of Stokes Lawrence, P.S. and a member of Foster Pepper, PLLC, also in Seattle. He concentrates his practice in the areas of federal and state taxation, trusts, estates, probate, and estate planning.
Mr. Butler counsels individuals, families, and businesses on income tax; estate and gift tax; state tax; transfer, wealth, and successor planning; and business structures. He also handles probate and trust matters, and works with charitable trusts and tax exempt estates.
Mr. Butler holds an LLM in taxation and is a CPA (inactive). He has been named a Washington Law and Politics' Super Lawyer for each of the years 2001-2010, and a Top 100 Super Lawyer. In addition, he has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for each of the years 2001-2010, for the speciality of Trusts and Estates.
Mr. Butler was recognized by Seattle Metropolitan Magazine as one of "King County's Top Lawyers 2010." Seattle Metropolitan Magazine culled their list using the Martindale-Hubbell ratings. Mr. Butler has been awarded an "AV" Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell®. This rating is given to attorneys that demonstrate the highest ethical standards and professional ability.
Associations
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow
- Washington State Bar Association
- Estate & Gift Tax Committee, Taxation Law Section, Washington State Bar Association, Member and former chair
- Real Property, Probate & Trust Section, Washington State Bar Association, Former Executive Committee member, former editor of section's newsletter
- Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants
Honors and Recognition
- Member, Beta Alpha Psi (National Accounting Fraternity)
- Chagrin Law Award (highest Law School GPA), Santa Clara Law, 1979
- Emery Law Scholarship, Santa Clara Law, 1977-1979
- Chapter Beta Gamma Sigma (National Business Honor Fraternity), Seattle University, President, 1975-1976
- Leadership and Scholarship Award, Albers School of Business, Seattle University, 1975-1976
- President's List (second highest GPA in Business School), Seattle University
Education
Seattle University, BA, Accounting, summa cum laude, 1976; Santa Clara Law, JD, summa cum laude, 1979; New York University School of Law, LLM, Taxation, 1980.
