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.

Jason M. Kettrick is a partner in Carney Badley Spellman's litigation section and a member of the firm's construction and real estate practice groups. As general counsel to many local and regional companies, Jason works with owners, contractors and design professionals on commercial, industrial, and civil projects located throughout the Pacific Northwest, and also provides general business counseling to companies in many industries. Jason is a business owner, developer and landlord, and a former extern to the Honorable Judge John A. Rossmeissl, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Jason is licensed to practice in Washington, Montana, and before the United States Court of Federal Claims, and was named a Rising Star by Washington Law and Politics magazine for 2009 and 2010.

Construction and Development Law

Jason assists contractors, public and private owners, developers, design professionals, subcontractors, suppliers and manufacturers with general business matters, transactions, and the resolution of all types of disputes. Jason drafts and negotiates contract documents for local, national and international construction, design and development firms, and provides ongoing advice as to the overall planning and operation of projects. His experience includes litigation and claims prosecution on federal, state and private construction and supply contracts, including differing site conditions, impact and delay claims, bid protests, cost accounting and economic damage, and lien foreclosure.

Commercial Litigation and Business Law

Jason provides business counseling and transactional representation to a broad spectrum of local and regional companies and their owners. He represents shareholder groups in corporate matters, as well as stakeholders in bankruptcy with discharge litigation, preference and fraudulent transfer litigation, and objections to claims. Jason has successfully prosecuted and defended claims involving tax, trade secrets, real estate, business and other commercial disputes, and closed transactions involving secured loans and commercial real estate.

Results

Documented and closed $2.4 million secured loan to equipment rental franchise (2010)
Cox, Ohman and Brandstetter, Chartered, vs. Beckvold (United States Bankruptcy Court, WDWA 2010) (Successful prosecution in adversary proceeding of nondischarge claim under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(4))
P.O.S. Development Company, Inc. vs. Adams & Clark, Inc. (Spokane County 2009) (Recovery for design defect and delay claims on behalf of developer of 60-lot subdivision)
United States of America ex. rel. Technical Systems, Inc. (United States District Court, WDWA 2008) (Recovery on Miller Act claims for changes, impacts and delays)
BC Tax Review, Inc. vs. Lafarge North America (King County 2009) (Successful defense in arbitration of claims involving commissions for tax consulting services)
Grays Harbor Paper, L.P. vs. Grays Harbor Public Utility District (Grays Harbor County 2008) (Obtained temporary restraining order and successfully resolved public records and trade secret dispute)
Oregon Drywall Systems, Inc. vs. Tomco Construction, Inc. (Spokane County 2007) (Summary judgment dismissal of subcontractor's wrongful termination claim and recovery of completion and repair costs and attorneys' fees)
In re Willow Wind Organic Farms, Inc. (United States Bankruptcy Court, EDWA 2006) (Obtained summary judgment on preference claims)

Articles

Challenging Performance Evaluations as "Claims" under the Contract Disputes Act, Carney Badley Spellman Enews, 2010
What is the Anti-Subrogation Rule? Why was my claim dismissed? Construction Law, published by the Construction Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association, Summer 2009
When the Owner Bonds Around Your Mechanics' Lien, You Still Have to Litigate the Lien's Validity, Construction Law, published by the Construction Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association, Summer 2008
Attorneys' Fees Recoverable in Performance Bond Coverage Litigation, Construction Law, published by the Construction Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association, Winter 2007-2008
Counterclaims Not Permitted During Summary Proceedings Under RCW 60.04.081, Construction Law, published by the Construction Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association, Winter 2005-2006
Construction Defect Claims, Homeowners Required to Provide Prelitigation Notice of Construction Defects Only if Contractor Notifies Homeowner of the Requirement to Do So, Construction Law, published by the Construction Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association, Fall 2006
WISHA Repeat Violations, Construction Law, published by the Construction Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association, Summer 2007

Presentations

Construction Liens – Creation, Perfection, Priority & Foreclosure, presented by the Debtor-Creditor Section of the Washington State Bar Association, Fall 2006
Bankruptcy and the Lien Laws, presented by Lorman Education Services, Spring 2006 and 2007
Recent Developments in Washington Construction Law, presented by Lorman Education Services, Fall 2004 and Spring 2005
Cardinal Changes, presented by Lorman Education Services, Winter 2005

Associations

Washington State Bar Association
Construction Law Section, Washington State Bar Association
Creditor Debtor Rights Section, Washington State Bar Association
Bankruptcy Bar Association for the Eastern District of Washington, Former Board Member and Officer

Education

MBA, with honors, Gonzaga University; JD, magna cum laude, Gonzaga University School of Law; BS, University of Washington.