Donald Scaramastra
About Don
Don Scaramastra represents businesses, particularly those in the Pacific Northwest’s maritime, fisheries, transportation, and industrial sectors, in complex insurance recovery and high‑stakes disputes. Companies turn to Don when facing major losses, denied claims, insurance coverage disputes, environmental liabilities, commercial contract matters, antitrust issues, and challenges related to corporate transactions. He works to guide clients to efficient, negotiated solutions that avoid costly, resource‑intensive litigation. When litigation is unavoidable, Don draws on trial and appellate experience gained in courts throughout the West Coast.
Don’s practice includes significant insurance recoveries for environmental remediation under federal and state Superfund laws; coverage for products, professional liability, and D&O claims; and disputes involving maritime and transportation losses. He has secured coverage victories against many of the largest national insurers. Don is consistently recognized for his insurance coverage work, including a Band 1 ranking in Insurance in Washington by Chambers USA.
A passionate believer in the power and obligation of lawyers to give back to their communities, Don devotes part of his practice to pro bono work. His work includes impact litigation to protect the constitutional rights of foster children to a safe home, to defend the procedural protections that ensure a fair trial for those accused of crimes, and to restore driver's licenses to impoverished individuals who lose those licenses simply because they were too poor to pay a traffic fine.
In addition to his practice, Don has a history of leadership in the legal profession, including senior roles in bar associations, and in community nonprofits. He is also co-leader of the firm’s insurance recovery practice and co-chair of its pro bono committee.
Don earned his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and later clerked for Judge Kenneth L. Ryskamp, U.S. District Judge, Southern District of Florida.
Activities
- Miller Nash Pro Bono Committee, Co-Chair
- King County Bar Association
- Board of Trustees, 2017-2019
- Young Lawyers Division
- Board of Trustees, 2001-2004
- Chair, 2003-2004
- King County Bar Foundation Board of Trustees
- Chair, 2015-2016
- Member, 2008-2017
- Risk Management Society, Washington Chapter, Member
- Washington Athletic Club, Arts & Entertainment Committee, Member, 2024-present
- Reclaim (formerly Snoqualmie Valley Shelter Services)
- President, 2022-present
- Board of Directors, 2020-present
- Children’s Alliance
- Board Member, 2002-2012
- President, 2004-2007
Recognition
- Recognized as a “Leader in Their Field” by Chambers USA for Insurance—Washington, 2024-present
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® (Seattle, WA)
- Insurance Law, 2024-present
- Selected for inclusion as a Washington Super Lawyer, 2009-present
- Selected as a Rising Star, 2001-2002, 2006-2007
- Champion for Children Award, Children’s Alliance, 2007
- Civil Libertarian Award, ACLU of Washington, 2006
- Named to Puget Sound Business Journal's 40 Under 40 list, 2005
- Dallaire Public Service Award, Garvey Schubert Barer, 2004
- Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®
Insights from Don
- “When the Application is the Risk (of Rescission): Don’t Let your Insurance Application Shred your Policy,” Miller Nash, The Northwest Policyholder, coauthor (Feb. 2025)
- “Enterprise Liability Insurer Has Duty to Defend Against a Vendor’s Claim, Even When Presented as an Invoice for ‘Usage Fees,’” Miller Nash, The Northwest Policyholder (January 2025)
- “This Is [Not] How We Do It: Insurer Gets Schooled on the Consequences of a Bad Faith Refusal to Defend,” Miller Nash, The Northwest Policyholder (May 2024)
- “Social Inflation: Myth or Menace?” Miller Nash, The Northwest Policyholder (Apr. 2024)
- “Livin’ on a Prayer (for Noneconomic Damages in a Coverage Dispute),” Miller Nash, The Northwest Policyholder, coauthor (May 2022)
- "Washington Court of Appeals Makes It Easier for Policyholders to Tap Excess Coverage," Miller Nash, The Northwest Policyholder (Sept. 2021)
- “How Much Is One Picture Worth?: Visual and Data-Driven Tools for Clarifying Coverage and Illuminating Claims,” ABA Litigation Section Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee, CLE Seminar (Mar. 2026)
- “Help Me Help You: Collaborative Problem-Solving with Opposing Counsel,” ABA Litigation Section Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee, CLE Seminar, copresenter (Mar. 2025)
- “‘Social Inflation,’ Limits-Demands, and Consent Judgment Settlements,” The Seminar Group, Northwest Insurance Law Seminar, copresenter (Nov. 2023)
- “Insurance Applications: Best Practices and the Consequences of Missteps,” Miller Nash, Insurance Webinar Series (May 2023)
- “Insurance Coverage for Digital Assets: Cryptocurrency, NFT Losses Under Traditional and Specialized Crypto Policies,” Strafford CLE, copresenter (Dec. 2022)
Outside the Office
When he is not spending time enjoying the company of his two kids and honing his ability to tell the best (worst?) dad jokes, Don likes to try his hand at hiking, cooking, and pretending he knows the finer points of wine.