David P. Carpman

David’s practice focuses on land use and environmental law for projects throughout the state of Washington, including zoning analysis, entitlements, permitting issues, and a particular focus on appeals and other litigation. He assists property owners of all kinds in entitling and defending their projects, which include residences, nonprofit facilities, and retail, and he has particularly valued the opportunity to assist school districts and low-income/transitional housing organizations.

David enjoys collaborating with technical experts and permitting staff to reach mutually beneficial solutions. When disputes cannot be resolved, he works tirelessly to defend entitlements or challenge adverse interpretations before local hearing examiners and state judges. His cases frequently involve interpretations of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (“SEPA”), the Land Use Petition Act (“LUPA”), the Shoreline Management Act and local shoreline master programs, and local zoning codes.

Prior to joining McCullough Hill, David served as a senior legislative counsel in the United States Senate, where he drafted and analyzed environmental and economic legislation and coordinated with a wide variety of local and national interest groups. Before working in the Senate, he served as a law clerk to federal district and appellate judges.

David moved to Seattle in 2018 in order to spend more time outdoors. As an avid backpacker and hiker, he is passionate about environmental conservation and believes strongly in enabling greater urban density in order to facilitate transit and minimize sprawl. He lives with his husband and dog in Greenwood and sings with two local choirs.

• Assisted a school district in conducting and successfully defending environmental review and entitlements for upgraded and modernized facilities.
• Successfully defended a zoning change to facilitate construction of a transitional facility for families experiencing homelessness.
• Lead or second-chair litigator in multiple successful defenses of multifamily housing developments in Seattle, including briefing before the Seattle Hearing Examiner, Superior Court, and Washington Court of Appeals.
• Obtained summary dismissal of appeal challenging downtown hotel development, avoiding the need for hearing.
• Defended property owners alleged to have violated local ordinances concerning tree protection and stormwater runoff.

• Assist property owners in negotiating with city and county staff regarding zoning interpretation, landmark issues, environmental review, easement and property rights disputes.
• Drafted legislation and worked with staff to change applicable zoning regulations to facilitate planned projects.
• Drafted correspondence advocating for comprehensive plan amendments that would enable more residential development.

• Harvard Law School, J.D. cum laude
  • Harvard Environmental Law Review, Senior Editor
  • Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, Student Attorney
• Yale University, B.A., History

• Washington