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.
Ken Hart's practice is focused on commercial and business transactions, business startups, real estate transactions and related litigation. He assists clients with business formations, as well as with negotiating and drafting partnership, shareholder and employment contracts; and negotiating and documenting business purchases and sales and secured sales transactions.
For many of his business clients, Ken serves the role of general counsel to handle such matters as lease negotiations, vendor disputes, employment issues, sales and acquisitions, and ownership succession. He strives to stay current with his clients and to be available and responsive when they need help and advice, so that they can concentrate on running and growing their businesses.
In addition to business law, Ken has extensive litigation, trial practice and appellate experience in various courts and jurisdictions, both state and federal, and in a broad range of areas. These include general civil litigation, commercial and real estate law. He has researched and written extensively on the law as it pertains to adverse possession, property boundary line and easement disputes, and is a sought-after CLE speaker on those topics. Ken is also a trained mediator and experienced arbitrator.
Both by training and inclination, Ken is a problem-solver, and his approach to the practice of law is collaborative. That means helping clients better understand whatever situation they are facing and providing them with information and guidance they need to make informed decisions. Ken's experience as both a transactional lawyer and litigator allows him to better provide his clients with insightful strategic planning and the advice they need to meet their day-to-day challenges.
Professional Honors and Activities
Ken has been active in both the state and local bar associations, and over the years has served with distinction in various leadership roles. In 1990, Ken was honored as the Washington State Bar Association's Young Lawyer of the Year. Ken is also a former treasurer of the King County Bar Association. He served for three years on the Washington State Bar Association Disciplinary Board, a dedicated group of practicing lawyers and laypersons appointed to review complaints of lawyer misconduct and determine disciplinary actions when appropriate.
Ken is the former editor of the Washington Lawyers Practice Manual and a former member of the Editorial Advisor Board for De Novo magazine. He has also served as chairman of the King County Fair Judicial Campaign Practices Committee and currently serves as a Trustee of the King County Bar Association's Employee Retirement Fund.
Ken has been 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. Ken 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.
Admitted to practice
- US District Court, Western District of Washington
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- US Claims Court
- US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
Memberships
- Washington State Bar Association
- King County Bar Association, Trustee, Employee Retirement Fund
Education
- University of Puget Sound School of Law (now Seattle University Law School), cum laude (1985)
- University of Washington, BA (1981)
- Judicial Law Clerk, Washington State Court of Appeals, Division One
