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.

Gregory M. Miller, a principal, came to the firm in 2008 with Mike King to join Jim Lobsenz and Ken Kagan in forming the firm's uniquely experienced Appellate Group. Mr. Miller has argued more than 60 cases on the merits before the Washington appellate courts and the Ninth Circuit in civil, family, constitutional and criminal law. He is a founding member of the Washington Appellate Lawyers Association, chaired the WALA Appellate Judges CJE presentations in 2003 and 2006 and the KCBA Appellate Practice Section in 2006-07.

Mr. Miller clerked for Judge C. Kenneth Grosse at the Washington Court of Appeals from January 1985 to August 1986, then worked in private practice before and after serving as staff counsel to the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee for the 1990 legislative session. For 10 years beginning in 1996, he operated his own firm and fully developed his appellate practice. Mr. Miller's 24 years of practice gives him deep experience in health law, general litigation, municipal law, and labor and employment law & negotiations. He has represented physicians, lawyers, business owners, employees, house cleaners, parents, students, school districts, cities and towns including as a city prosecutor, prisoners, companies, management, and labor.

Mr. Miller 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. Miller 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.

Representative Cases

  • Keene v. Edie, 131 Wn.2d 822, 935 P2d 588 (1997). Overruled 9-0 Brotton v. Langert, 1 Wash. 73, 23 Pac. 388 (1890), on the construction of community property statutes to permit victims to recover from the tort-feasor's interest in community real property where other resources were exhausted or inadequate.
  • Marriage of Katare, 125 Wn. App. 813, 105 P.3d 44 (2004), rev. den., 155 Wn.2d 1005 (2005). Vacated 2-county travel restriction for visitations and remanded to clarify intent and rulings on international travel restrictions in relocation case.
  • Hargis v. Foster, et al, 312 F.3d 404 (9th Cir., 2002). Reversed dismissal of Idaho prisoner's 1st Amendment claim and remanded to determine whether discipline of prisoner speech violated the constitution.
  • State v. King and Israel, 113 Wn. App. 243, 54 P.3d 1218 (2002), rev. den., 149 Wn.2d 1015 (2003). Reversed four convictions for instructional error on conspiracy charges which permitted finding of guilt for accomplice liability based on reasonable forseeability of acts rather than knowledge of the specific substantive crimes charged.
  • Marriage of Possinger, 105 Wn. App. 326, 19 P.3d 1109 (2001), rev. den., 145 Wn. 2d 1003 (2002). Affirmed trial court's retention of jurisdiction for later determination of permanent parenting plan when circumstances were inadequate or inappropriate to determine permanent plan at time of divorce.
  • Ackler, et al. v. Cowlitz County, 7 Fed. Appx. 543, 2001 WL 115019 (9th Cir., 2001). Reversed denial of double damages; reversed refusal to award third year of damages for willful violation of Fair Labor Standards Act for sheriffs' deputies; awarded attorney's fees on appeal.
  • Hunter v. U.W, 101 Wn.App. 283, 2 P.3d 1022 (2000), rev. den., 142 Wn.2d 1021 (2001): Reversed denial of administrative appeal; mandated grant of tuition wavier to law student because the University of Washington was required to follow administrative rule-making in adopting policies; awarded fees under EAJA.
  • Estrada v. McNulty, 98 Wn. App. 717, 988 P.2d 492 (1999). Vacated award of pension death benefits to deceased's ex-wife and awarded benefits to client because statute in effect at time of death did not require that the designated beneficiary have an insurable interest in the deceased. Obtained appellate stay to preserve benefits during appeal.
  • Abbott v. CUNA Mutual Ins. Soc., 102 Wn. App. 519, 7 P.3d 852 (2000) (amicus). Argued in favor of pubic policy ban on care-takers insuring the lives of their patients and disallowing life insurance recovery by quadriplegic's caretaker.

Professional Activities and Recognition

Admissions

Mr. Miller is admitted to practice in Washington state; the U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington; the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Education

BA, Harvard University, 1976; JD, Northeastern University School of Law, 1984.

Gregory M. Miller

Gregory M. Miller

Phone: 206 622-8020
E-Mail: Miller
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