A member of the California State Bar, Seaver practices in the areas of business law, civil litigation, probate and trust, and estate planning, and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Tax Court. He began his legal career in 1975 with the firm of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton. Six years later, he founded the computerized documentation service firm JURIX and served as its president. In 1983, he returned to law practice as a partner in the firm of Baker, Ancel, Morris & Hruby. Following eight years in private practice, he formed the firm of Seaver & Gill in 1993.

A 1968 cum laude graduate of Princeton University, Seaver earned his J.D. degree from Stanford University in 1975.

His membership on the Board of Trustees continues a long relationship between the College and the Seaver family. His father, Richard Seaver '43, as well as all five of Richard's uncles and aunts, are Pomona graduates. Carlton's great-uncle, Frank Seaver 1905 was the first president of the Associated Student Body and a trustee from 1947 to 1964. Richard Seaver served on the Board from 1970 to 1995 and remains an honorary member. u