Scott M. Clearman

Scott decided his career when he was eight, watching the Watergate hearings. Senator Sam J. Ervin Jr., Senator Howard H. Baker Jr. and Representative Barbara Jordan became his role models, people who defended our Constitution from one of its worse crises in our country’s history.

He graduated both high school and college a year early before entering the University of Texas School of Law.

Scott focused his career primarily on complex commercial litigation at the trial and appellate levels in both federal and state courts. Scott has successfully resolved cases involving the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (commonly referred to as the “RICO Act” or “RICO”), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”), Medicare, healthcare, insurance, regulated industries, oil and gas, real estate, and personal injury. Scott has also litigated cases involving patent infringement, antitrust and trade secret issues. He has represented individuals and small companies.

Courts in Texas and federal courts have appointed Scott to serve as lead counsel in several large class actions. He started his class action work representing large businesses alleging that their workers’ compensation insurers overcharged them for their workers' compensation insurance. He has also represented classes in cases involving Corporate Owned Life Insurance (also known as COLI or, unfortunately, 'dead peasant' or 'janitor' insurance). The defendants included Wal-Mart and Fina.

Scott represented a class against Stream Energy and its marketing arm, Ignite, alleging that they and others operate their business as a pyramid scheme in violation of the RICO Act.

In 2001, the Texas Lawyer recognized Scott as one of "40 under 40" judges, lawyers and law professors "across the state whose accomplishments distinguish them among their peers." Scott has been listed by Thompson Reuters as a "Texas Super Lawyer" each year from 2003 to 2009. In 2008, Forbes featured Scott for his contingent fee work for businesses. In 2012, H Texas Magazine recognized Scott in their list of Houston's Top Lawyers. He has received recognition from many other publications.

Scott pursues his clients' cases with diligence and vigor while usually remaining on professional and even friendly terms with his opposing counsel, something that is rare in today legal world.

Taking a few cases allows Scott to give attention to his clients’ needs. He frequently works with other much larger law firms to seek the best representation of his clients’ interests.