A. Hugh Scott

Hugh Scott handles complex litigation of all types and is an experienced trial lawyer. He served as head of the firm’s Litigation Department for most of the 1990s.

Hugh has been recognized in Chambers USA, and The Legal 500 as a leading lawyer for Insurance, and has been named a Massachusetts Super Lawyer. He was also one of only 11 insurance industry attorneys recognized as a “2013 Client Service All Star” by The BTI Consulting Group, an honor that annually identifies – through feedback from more than 240 general counsel – a select group of attorneys who display an outstanding commitment to client service excellence. He was also named the 2014 Boston “Lawyer of the Year” for Insurance Law by Best Lawyers.

Practice Focus 

Insurance & Reinsurance Litigation: litigation and arbitration on behalf of insurance companies involving disputes regarding coverage for a variety of claims, including hazardous waste sites, asbestos, business disparagement and d & o liability.

Government Enforcement & Compliance: representation of clients in the full range of criminal and civil government enforcement actions, investigations, and prosecutions.

Complex Commercial Litigation: representation of companies in the litigation of significant disputes involving contracts and commercial dealings.

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers in America (2023)
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers

Representative Engagements

  • Served as lead trial counsel defending major national insurance company against claims for nationwide environmental pollution coverage in lengthy jury trial that resulted in directed verdict for insurers.
  • Served as lead appellate counsel for major national insurer in Wellington ADR appeal that succeeded in reversing adverse trial decision that had awarded substantial coverage for asbestos claims.
  • Defended major Boston bank in criminal jury trial that resulted in directed verdict on fraud charges but conviction on lesser regulatory charges.
  • Represented Fortune 500 company in favorable settlement of groundbreaking criminal environmental charges.
  • Tried Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board case that resulted in largest individual income tax refund in state ($47 million).
  • Defended major national commodities brokerage against nationwide class action fraud case, reaching successful settlement for company.
  • Prosecuted and convicted Chairman of Massachusetts Senate Ways and Means Committee of extortion in lengthy criminal jury trial.

Professional and Community Involvement

Hugh is a member of the Boston Bar Association. He also served for many years on the District of Massachusetts Criminal Justice Act Board and on the New England Legal Foundation Advisory Board for Massachusetts.

Hugh is a Fellow in the American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel, a group of preeminent coverage and extracontractual counsel in the US and Canada dedicated to improving the civility and quality of the practice of insurance law. Membership by nomination is limited to 1,000 lawyers with at least 15 years of experience.

Education & Credentials

Columbia Law School
JD, 1974, James Kent Scholar
Williams College
BA, 1968, cum laude

Admissions

Massachusetts

U.S. Court of Appeals

Federal, First, Ninth Circuits

U.S. Court of Federal Claims

U.S. District Court, Massachusetts

U.S. Supreme Court

Clerkships

Honorable Frank J. Murray
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts