Scott is a partner with 25 years of experience in litigation. He is the Practice Group leader of the law firm's Product Liability Practice Group. He also handles business disputes. His specialties include personal injury and wrongful death actions, all types of product liability cases, contract disputes, property disputes with a focus on easements, and business torts such as fraud and conversion.

Representative Experience
Product Liability and Personal Injury (utility industry):

Defended numerous tort and product liability claims against the largest electric utility in Georgia for 25 years, including personal injury and wrongful death actions involving overhead lines, pad-mounted transformers, commercial panel boxes, and various other types of electrical equipment. This representation has included several published decisions and trials, including the following:

Preston v. Georgia Power Company - Summary judgment granted to Georgia Power in this case of first impression regarding the interpretation of Georgia’s High-voltage Safety Act as amended in 1992. The plaintiff received severe electrical burns while working near a high-voltage line.

Jordan v. Georgia Power Company - Involved extensively in the preparation and successful trial of the second case to go to trial in the United States involving a claim that electromagnetic fields from power lines allegedly caused cancer. After three weeks of testimony, the jury returned a defense verdict. Through this representation, developed working knowledge of epidemiology and oncology.

David Burnett v. Georgia Power Company - Defense verdict granted in this jury trial (first chair) involving a worker who was severely burned when a dump truck contacted an overhead high-voltage line. This seven-day trial took place in the State Court of DeKalb County.

Other Product Liability:

Defended manufacturer of electrical cord against claims involving an alleged breakdown of plasticizer in the cord which in turn led to cracking of acrylic lenses used in high pressure sodium lights.

Defended large plumbing contractor in regard to the extensive failure of plastic nuts used to connect the water supply line with toilet bowls primarily installed in houses.

Defended large utility in fire allegedly caused by failure of underground power lines. This case involved issues regarding the breakdown and corrosion of metals placed underground.

Defended national manufacturer of overhead doors in cases regarding the alleged failure of its product. These cases have involved both design and manufacturing issues.

Defended pump manufacturer in a suit regarding the alleged failure of a rubber component in the pump.

Business Disputes:

Defended real estate developer in several contract disputes with investors.

Represented banks in cases regarding Article 9 issues, including irrevocable payment instructions.

Legislation:

Drafted legislation for Virginia electric utility in 2003 that extensively amended Virginia’s current High Voltage Safety Act, codified at Va. Code Ann. § 59.1-406, et seq. This legislation became law on July 1, 2003.

Representative Cases
Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia v. Gold-Arrow Farms, Inc., 276 Ga. App. 862, 625 S.E.2d 57 (2005) (class action easement dispute).

Davis v. Williams Communications, Inc., 258 F. Supp. 2d 1348 (N.D. Ga. 2003)(class action easement dispute; represented CSX Transportation, Inc.).

Preston v. Georgia Power Company, 227 Ga. App. 449, 489 S.E.2d 573 (1997), cert. denied, 119 S. Ct. 163 (1998)(high voltage electrocution case).

AMLI Residential Properties, Inc. v. Georgia Power Company, 293 Ga. App. 358, 667 S.E.2d 150 (2008) (fire case involving spoliation of evidence issues).

Presentations and Speaking Engagements
Speaker, Taking and Defending Effective Depositions in Georgia, "The Who, When, and Where of Depositions" (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007).

Speaker, "Brief Writing," UGA School of Law (2006).

Program Co-Chair, ICLE Toxic Torts Seminar (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006).

Speaker, Civil Litigation for Younger Lawyers, "Direct and Cross Examination of Witnesses" (2002).

Speaker, Georgia Products Liability Section Annual Seminar, "Negotiating and Settling A Products Case: Defendant’s Perspective" (1999).