John M. Scott
Overview
John Scott helps businesses, construction industry participants, and other organizations resolve complex disputes and navigate legal challenges. Where that cannot be accomplished by agreement, he is prepared to do so through trial or arbitration. He also serves as an arbitrator panelist with the American Arbitration Association and has sat as a sole arbitrator on construction and commercial arbitrations.
A significant portion of John’s practice focuses on construction law and commercial litigation. He represents owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, lenders, and other stakeholders in disputes involving construction defects, delays, payment disputes, contract claims, and other project-related matters. His experience also includes representing clients in industries such as telecommunications, wholesale and retail distribution, entertainment venues, and other commercial sectors.
John regularly handles complex business and civil litigation matters in state and federal courts and in arbitration proceedings. His experience includes breach of contract disputes, negligence, nuisance, trespass, shareholder conflicts, collection matters, condemnation actions, intellectual property and unfair competition claims, trade secret disputes, restrictive covenant litigation, and personal injury actions. He works closely with clients to understand the legal, business, and strategic implications. He then formulates a practical approach tailored to the matter.
In addition to his litigation practice, John advises businesses on a broad range of operational and legal issues. His extensive trial and arbitration experience allows him to provide practical counsel designed to help clients manage risk, resolve disputes efficiently, and pursue successful outcomes when litigation becomes necessary.
John is a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America and has been recognized for his leadership within the construction law community. He is a frequent author and speaker on construction law topics, including construction contract claims, materialman’s liens, and alternative dispute resolution.
Credentials
Education
- University of Arkansas School of Law, 1997 (J.D.), with highest honors
- Baylor University, 1992 (B.B.A.), cum laude
- Certified Public Accountant, 1994
Clerk Experience
- Honorable G. Thomas Eisele, Senior U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas, 1996-1998
- Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law; Construction Litigation; Commercial Litigation, 2006-2026
- Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Construction, 2020-2021; Construction Law, 2022, 2023, 2025
- Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2018-2020, 2023-2026
- Northwest Arkansas Business, 40 Under 40, 2008
- American Arbitration Association, International Centre for Dispute Resolution, Panel Member, 2025
- Construction Law Society of America, Charter Fellow, 2017
- Covington Park Property Owner’s Association, Former Officer
- Arkansas Bar Association, Construction Law Section, Governing Board, Former Vice Chairman and Chairman
- William Putman Inns of Court, Former President and Vice President
- American Bar Association, Construction Forum
- “Supreme Court Invalidates Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act. United States v. Lopez,” UALR Law Journal, 1995