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.

Michael J. Havers, a principal, joined the firm in 2002. His practice focuses on commercial law and general business contracts, including domestic and international business and financing transactions. Mr. Havers has negotiated a broad range of contracts involving the acquisition, leasing and financing of aircraft, vessels and telecommunications equipment and other capital assets. He has extensive experience with supply management contracts, representing suppliers and purchasers of goods and services, with emphasis on telecommunications services, equipment and software. He also advises on entity formation, employment and shareholder agreements, with a focus on contracts for physicians and medical practice groups and other professional firms, such as architecture and law firms. Mr. Havers also has wide experience with joint venture arrangements.

Mr. Havers was formerly a shareholder of Stokes Lawrence, P.S. and prior to that he was with the Seattle office of Perkins Coie. Before moving to Seattle in 1978, he was a partner in the Johannesburg, South Africa law firm of Bowman Gilfillan. Mr. Havers served as a law clerk to the Honorable George Colman of the Supreme Court of South Africa and also worked with the London law firm Linklaters.

Mr. Havers has been a speaker at various continuing legal education programs including Washington State Bar Association Business Law CLE programs in 1998 and 1999; the National Business Institute program on Contract and Purchasing Law in Washington in 1998; the Legislative and Case Law Update at the Washington State Bar Association Business Law Section annual meeting in 1997; and the 2005 annual meeting of the Aviation Law Section of the King County Bar Association.

Mr. Havers 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. Havers 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

Education

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, BA, 1966; University of the Witwatersrand School of Law, LLB, cum laude 1968.