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Scott W. Coyle
Of Counsel
Scott Coyle’s practice focuses on appellate litigation, government investigations, and white-collar criminal defense. He has successfully represented clients in high-profile criminal investigations and administrative proceedings and has extensive experience drafting briefs in state and federal appellate courts. He also advises clients on complex civil litigation and compliance with US trade sanctions programs.
Prior to joining the firm, Scott was a litigation associate with full-service law firms in Washington DC and San Francisco. He represented elected officials and members of the intelligence community charged with misconduct, including a former State Department employee indicted under the Espionage Act. He also led the merits briefing team on several notable white-collar appellate matters.
Before his career as a lawyer, Scott was the deputy director of a nationally recognized political consulting firm, where he worked with government officials, business leaders and labor unions to develop strategic communications plans and managed local ballot initiatives that generated more than US$7 billion for California’s public schools.
- Drafted petition for certiorari, appellate briefs and pre-trial motions in defense of a US senator charged with bribery and honest services fraud.
- Led appellate briefing team in successfully overturning largest non-economic damages award in Ohio state history.
- Secured reversal of employee-classification ruling in Sixth Circuit, protecting the company from over US$1 billion in potential exposure.
- Represented a former State Department employee accused of disclosing classified information to news media in violation of the Espionage Act.
- Obtained reversal of order granting a new trial in an asbestos case in California appellate court.
- Conducted an internal investigation for a US company regarding potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
- Represented a member of US intelligence community during an internal investigation that ultimately cleared him of misconduct.
- Drafted a successful Daubert motion to exclude class action plaintiff’s expert report and defeat remand to state court.
- Advised companies on compliance with US trade sanctions programs.
- Drafted numerous amicus briefs for filing in US Supreme Court and federal appellate courts.
Education
- Stanford Law School, J.D., Sontheimer Award for Graduating Second in Class, 2008
- Georgetown University, B.A., summa cum laude, 2000
Admissions
- Ohio, 2018
- District of Columbia, 2012
- California, 2010
- Clerk for the Honorable Marsha S. Berzon of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
- Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America 2021-2025 for Appellate Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar in Cincinnati.