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.

Nicholas P. Scarpelli, Jr., is a principal in the firm. He has held the position of managing partner and head of the litigation department. He has been associated with the firm since 1974 and practices in the area of civil litigation. He has extensive jury trial experience.

Mr. Scarpelli was named a Washington Law and Politics Super Lawyer for each of the years 1999 - 2009. He was also listed in Seattle Magazine as one of the top 115 lawyers in Seattle for 2003. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Mr. Scarpelli 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. Scarpelli 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 Matters

Higgins v. Intex Recreation Corp., 123 Wash.App. 821, 99 P.3d 421, Prod.Liab.Rep. (CCH) P 17,188 (Wash.App. Div. 3, Oct 26, 2004) (NO. 22140-7-III)
Mr. Scarpelli represented Tom Higgins, who sustained quadriplegic injuries when he was hit by a sledding device while trying to rescue a young boy from being hit by the sled. Mr. Higgins claim was based on a product liability theory of defective design.
Barrett v. Lucky 7 Saloon, Inc., 152 Wash.2d 259, 96 P.3d 386 (Wash., Aug 24, 2004) (NO. 72984-I)
Mr. Scarpelli defended the Lucky Seven Tavern in a liquor liability case brought by Mr. Barrett, who had been severely injured when hit in a head on collision by a intoxicated patron of the Lucky Seven. Mr. Barrett claimed the tavern over served the patron four pitchers of beer. The jury returned a defense verdict for Mr. Scarpelli's client. The Court of Appeals affirmed, but the Supreme Court reversed, and changed the standard for liquor liability in the State of Washington.
Deming v. Estate of Deming, Not Reported in P.3d, 105 Wash.App. 1032, 2001 WL 310341 (Wash.App. Div. 2, Mar 30, 2001) (NO. 25555-3-II)
Mr. Scarpelli represented the Estate of Deming in a suit against Mark Deming, a former Pierce County judge. The Estate claimed that Judge Deming had breached the contract he made with his mother to pay full price for the family home. The jury agreed with Mr. Scarpelli and the Estate, and found against Judge Deming.
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community v. Island County, 87 Wash.App. 552, 942 P.2d 1034 (Wash.App. Div. 1, Aug 25, 1997) (NO. 39421-5-I)
This was a case involving tribal burial sites.
Mackey v. American Fashion Institute Corp., 60 Wash.App. 426, 804 P.2d 642, 30 Wage & Hour Cas. (BNA) 365 (Wash.App. Div. 1, Jan 28, 1991) (NO. 25292-5-I)
Mr. Scarpelli defended American Fashion from a wage loss claim brought by Mackey. The Court found for Mr. Scarpelli's client.
Uni-Com Northwest, Ltd. v. Argus Pub. Co., 47 Wash.App. 787, 737 P.2d 304, 4 UCC Rep.Serv.2d 317 (Wash.App. Div. 1, May 26, 1987) (NO. 16353-1-I, 16404-0-I)
Mr. Scarpelli represented Uni-Com in a case involving a breach of contract claim. The trial Court found in favor of Uni-Com, but the Court of Appeals reversed.
Johnson v. Martin, 28 Wash. App. 774, 626 P.2d 525 (Wash.App. Div. 1, Apr 06, 1981) (NO. 7833-0-I)
Mr. Scarpelli successfully defended the Chelan Tavern in a liquor liability case involving an attack on a patron by another patron.
City of Tacoma v. O'Brien, 85 Wash.2d 266, 534 P.2d 114 (Wash., Apr 17, 1975) (NO. 43398)
Mr. Scarpelli contributed to a successful petition for extraordinary relief by multiple parties to the Washington State Supreme Court.

Associations

Education

University of Notre Dame, BA, 1970; Gonzaga University School of Law, JD, 1974.