John M. Scott’s practice focuses on construction law, complex commercial, corporate and general civil litigation matters. He further counsels his business clients in a wide range of legal issues. Mr. Scott has successfully represented owners, contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and lenders in construction project disputes; telecommunications providers; wholesalers and retailers; and many other commercial industries. He works closely with clients to identify the important legal and economic issues of each case and to tailor an appropriate approach to resolve those issues. Where litigation through trial is appropriate, Mr. Scott utilizes focused motions, expert engagement and cost-appropriate discovery prior to trial. He has extensive state, federal court, and arbitration trial experience. Mr. Scott has represented clients in collection disputes, defective or delayed construction work, condemnation actions, intellectual property and unfair competition claims, breach of contract cases, shareholder disputes and personal injury actions. He also has represented many employers or former employees in non-competition agreements, trade secret matters and related litigation. In short, Mr. Scott is willing and able to handle a very wide range of civil disputes that may be presented to him.

Mr. Scott has been recognized extensively for his work.  Since 2006, he has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America^® publication in three areas: Construction Law, Construction Litigation, and Commercial Litigation.  He has been selected "Lawyer of the Year" for Fayetteville, Arkansas in the areas of Litigation-Construction in 2020 and 2021 and Construction Law in 2022, 2023, and 2025.  Mr. Scott has been named to the Mid-South Super Lawyers list since 2018.  He is also a Fellow in the Construction Law Society of America, an organization limited to a very small percentage of construction lawyers. Mr. Scott has actively served various legal organizations, including stints as Vice President and President of the William Putman Inns of Court. He served as the Chairman of the Construction Section of the Arkansas Bar Association, after a 5 year tenure on its governing board. He is a member of the ABA Forum on Construction Law. In 2008, he was selected to the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list. He authored a chapter on construction contract claims in the Arkansas Construction Law Manual (2016 edition) and has lectured on various law topics, including materialman’s liens, construction law, and alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Scott has volunteered his time speaking to classes and judging competitions at the University of Arkansas Law School.

Mr. Scott earned his accounting degree from Baylor University in 1992, graduating cum laude. He worked as a certified public accountant with KPMG Peat Marwick and is an inactive CPA in Arkansas. Mr. Scott received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law in 1997, graduating with highest honors. While in law school he served as an associate editor on the Law Journal. He clerked for the Honorable G. Thomas Eisele, Senior United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas from 1996 through 1998, before entering private practice.

Publications

Supreme Court Invalidates Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act.  United States v. Lopez, 115 S. Ct. 1624 (1995), UALR Law Journal, Vol. 18:3

Honors & Recognitions

Named the Best Lawyers in America^® "Lawyer of the Year" in Fayetteville for Litigation – Construction (2020, 2021) and for Construction Law (2022, 2023, and 2025).

Inducted as a Charter Fellow in the Construction Law Society of America, 2017

Northwest Arkansas Business 40 Under 40 honoree, 2008

Listed in Best Lawyers in America© - currently recognized in three areas:  Construction Law, Construction Litigation, and Commercial Litigation (2006-2022)

Mid-South Super Lawyers list, 2018-2022

Former officer Covington Park Property Owner's Association

Community & Professional

Former Chairman and Vice Chairman, Governing Board of the Construction Law Section, Arkansas Bar Association

Former President and Vice President, William Putman Inns of Court

Member of Construction Forum of American Bar Association