Donald Scaramastra
About Don
Don Scaramastra focuses his practice on helping businesses—many in the transportation and natural resource sectors—resolve disputes, improve outcomes, and reduce risk across a variety of projects. He is well-versed in all forms of dispute resolution, outside the courtroom, through arbitration or trial, and before federal and state appellate courts.
Don has successfully represented clients on a range of large-dollar disputes, acquisitions, and other projects concerning insurance coverage and enterprise risk management, corporate governance and acquisitions, contract disputes, environmental cleanup and compliance, and antitrust compliance. Most recently, Don has assisted a number of businesses in the hospitality sector that are facing losses and disruptions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over his career, Don has assisted entities across an array of industries: marine, rail, trucking, air transportation, as well as various fisheries. Most of his clients began life in the Pacific Northwest, having long and storied histories here.
Certified as a Legal Lean Sigma White Belt, Don has devoted much of his career to improving internal legal project management and developing data-driven strategies that increase efficiency and boost productivity. He has helped create tools that better manage litigation, more accurately predict project costs, and achieve better outcomes. As a result, Don is often sought after to assist large or sophisticated businesses with multifaceted legal needs.
Don believes in the power and responsibility of lawyers to make the communities in which they live and work a better place. He has assisted with a number of pro bono matters seeking institutional change. Most recently, he helped win an injunction against suspending drivers’ licenses for impoverished drivers.
Don currently serves on the Board of Directors for Snoqualmie Valley Shelter Services. He has previously served in leadership positions on the boards of other non-profit organizations, including the Children’s Alliance, the King County Bar Foundation, and the King County Bar Association.
Activities
- North Seattle Industrial Association, Member
- 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
- Snoqualmie Valley Shelter Services
- President, 2022-present
- Board of Directors, 2020-present
- Children’s Alliance
- Board Member, 2002-2012
- President, 2004-2007
Recognition
- Selected for inclusion as a Washington Super Lawyer, 2009-present
- Selected for inclusion as a Washington Super Lawyer—Rising Star, 2001-2002, 2006-2007
- Selected for inclusion as a Washington Super Lawyer—Rising Star, 2001-2002, 2006-2007
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® (Seattle, WA)
- Insurance Law, 2024-present
- Selected to Top Lawyers in Environmental Law, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, 2010
- 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
- “Social Inflation: Myth or Menace?,” Miller Nash, The Northwest Policyholder (Apr. 2022)
- “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)
- “‘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.