Biography
Scott has substantial experience handling complex construction claims in mediation, arbitration, and litigation. In his practice, Scott relies upon his extensive experience in the construction industry. Scott earned a civil engineering degree in 1990 and became a licensed Professional Engineer in 1994. For over 10 years prior to becoming an attorney, Scott worked as a project manager and estimator for a general contractor. Scott’s construction industry experience includes construction layout, estimating, contract review, quantity take-offs, change order negotiations, buy-out, subcontract negotiations, shop drawings/submittals including delegated design items, and claims handling.
A frequent author and speaker on issues relating to construction industry, Scott is an authority on various topics such as mechanic’s liens, bond claims, changed conditions, extra work, lost productivity, acceleration, delay, scheduling issues, and important changes in the law. Scott is also the Editor of the Connecticut Construction Law Blog. As such, Scott’s relationship with his clients involves not only assisting them with dispute resolution, but also making every effort to keep them apprised of important decisions, new laws and regulations, emerging trends, and other developments that might affect their businesses.
Scott’s primary goal is achieving the best result for his client. That approach often leads to the use of alternative dispute resolution techniques, such as mediation and/or arbitration. No business benefits by protracted litigation. For that reason, Scott always works to help his clients achieve the fastest, most economical resolution of any dispute. Of course, sometimes litigation is necessary. If that ends up being your situation, you need an experienced advocate with a proven track record. Scott’s accomplishments include prevailing on everything from routine mechanic’s lien foreclosures to complex lost productivity claims and everything in between. He has even prevailed in separate cases by arguing the opposite side of the same issue. Scott can handle any dispute no matter how large or complex. He’s familiar with all aspects of public and private construction, including commercial building, heavy highway, utilities, infrastructure, site development, and residential.
After growing up in Massachusetts, Scott moved to Connecticut in 1990 to start his professional career. His practice now serves the three southern New England states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Scott has been married over 20 years and has two daughters. In his downtime, he enjoys hiking and reading. He also serves his community by serving as chairman for his local standing building committee for 14 years.
Education
Quinnipiac University School of Law, Juris Doctor Cum Laude 2001
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering 1990
Department of Labor OSHA 10-Hour Construction Training
Certified Dispute Arbitrator, American Dispute Resolution Center
Licensed Professional Engineer, State of Connecticut
Honors
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating: AV Preeminent
Super LawyersRising Stars 2011 (Construction Litigation, Land Use/Zoning)
Guilford Public Schools Friend of Education Award 2015
View peer-review methodologies at superlawyers.com and martindale.com.
Professional Leadership
Member, CSA-AGC-CMAA Joint Committee
Executive Committee Member, Connecticut Bar Association, Construction Law Section
Rhode Island Bar Association
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) — Connecticut Chapter
Associated General Contractors of Connecticut
Representative Matters
Successfully defended a $21 million lost productivity claim.
Obtained a million dollar settlement of a claim arising out of defective plans and specifications.
Obtained a $1.2 million settlement for a delay claim on a public works construction project.
Obtained a $300,000 arbitration award in favor of a general contractor that had its million dollar contract for a commercial building project wrongfully terminated while simultaneously defeating the owner’s $750,000 counterclaim for defective workmanship and the failure to pay subcontractors.
Obtained a trial court judgment in favor of a subcontractor that was not paid for its work after the general contractor claimed that the subcontractor’s work was defective. After a 10 day trial, the trial court awarded the subcontractor its contract balance, attorneys’ fees and costs and found in the subcontractor’s favor on the general contractor’s $1 million counterclaim for defective work.
Obtained a $225,000 settlement of contractor’s claim for delay damages and lost productivity on a public works construction project.
Community
Former Chairman, Town of Guilford Standing Building Committee (2006-2020)
Former Member, Town of Guilford High School Building Committee (2011-2015)
Presentations
Speaker, “Fundamentals Of Construction Contracts & Litigation,” New York State Bar Association, June 23, 2021
Presenter, “OSHA Rapid Response,” Connecticut Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Plainville, CT, June 21, 2018
Presenter, “Construction Law,” Foxmoor Continuing Education, November 6, 2014
Presenter, “Legal Issues for Professional Engineers,” HalfMoon LLC CLE, January 27, 2012
Presenter, “Introduction to Mechanic’s Lien Law,” Connecticut Bar Association CLE, February 2010
Presenter, “Connecticut Construction Law: What Do You Do When…?”, National Business Institute CLE, January 13-14, 2005
Publications
“The True Meaning of ‘Pay When Paid’ Clauses,” CDC News,Houston Texas Edition, January 23, 2006
“Beware of ‘Information Not Guaranteed’ Clauses,” CDC News, Southern Florida, December 19, 2005
“Mechanic’s Lien Law Applied to Retail Construction,” New England Construction News, November 21, 2005
“Sick Building Syndrome: What Every Contractor Should Know,” New England Construction News, October 24, 2005
“Disappointed Bidders May Have Day in Court,” New England Construction News, September 19, 2005
Author, “The Laws Governing Blasting,” ISEE Journal, November-December 2003