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"Scott has outstanding judgment and is a uniquely knowledgeable resource on student and academic matters. He is an excellent litigator, provides insightful and practical advice for navigating complex problems, and is a pleasure to work with."

Assistant General Counsel, research university

Overview

The first in his family to attend college, Scott sees education as the key to opportunity.

His passion for the educational mission of colleges and universities led him to take a job early in his legal career in the general counsel’s office at Northwestern University. He enjoyed the personal element of campus work as well: Legal matters in his office often involved the education of individual students or faculty research.

In his private practice, Scott works exclusively with higher education institutions. His goal is to partner closely with clients, becoming a trusted advisor. Clients find that his deep understanding of the academic world comes through in his legal advice.

Scott’s years in-house at Northwestern gave him firsthand familiarity with academia’s unique culture. He has extensive experience with the wide variety of legal issues that affect higher education, such as crisis management, board governance, faculty personnel, student affairs, and campus sexual assault and other compliance matters.

"Scott has outstanding judgment and is a uniquely knowledgeable resource on student and academic matters. He is an excellent litigator, provides insightful and practical advice for navigating complex problems, and is a pleasure to work with."

Assistant General Counsel, research university

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors Professional Scholarship
  • Illinois Super Lawyers, 2013-2021
  • Journal of College and University Law, Media Award, 2008

Education

  • University of Michigan Law School
    • cum laude
  • B.A., University of Michigan
    • Political Science

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Association for Student Conduct Administration
  • National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), Board Member
  • Law Firm Antiracism Alliance Public Benefits Working Group

Languages

  • French, Conversant
2024 Pro Bono Contributor
Experience
  • Worked closely with governing boards and senior administrators to address high-profile allegations of wrongdoing and related litigation.
  • Represented colleges, universities and seminaries in investigations by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Illinois Department of Human Rights involving institutional compliance with Title IX and other state and federal anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws and regulations.
  • Advised private and public institutions on internal disciplinary proceedings involving tenured faculty and collective bargaining unit members to ensure compliance with due process and contractual requirements.
  • Advised institutions about their response to COVID-19 and the CARES Act, keeping clients fully informed during the rapidly changing and unprecedented events.
Outside the Office

Scott is a food lover who is married to an excellent cook, and he’s particularly fond of Italian and Vietnamese dishes.

When he is not in the office or the kitchen, Scott often travels with his family, one of his favorite ways to spend time with his two young children. Top family destinations include anyplace warm and Germany, where Scott’s brother-in-law lives and works as an organic farmer.

Community Leadership
  • Chicago Scholars, Mentor, 2021–present
  • The Civic Federation, Board of Directors, June 2022–present
In-House Counsel Experience
  • Assistant/Associate General Counsel, Northwestern University, 2002-2006