Scott C. Holbrook

Partner

Cleveland
T +1.216.861.7325
F +1.216.696.0740

Overview

Scott Holbrook is a seasoned trial lawyer who handles his clients’ biggest and highest-stakes cases. He has extensive experience in a wide array of commercial litigation, including healthcare, breach of contract, tortious interference, banking and professional malpractice matters. Scott excels at distilling complex cases into compelling themes and arguments that resonate with juries.

Select Experience

  • Trial counsel for large hospital client in two-month jury trial against its major market competitor. Successfully obtained an award of more than $10 million in damages and attorneys' fees in one of the largest commercial verdicts in the county's history.
  • Trial counsel for major health system in business dispute against joint venture partner. Following a three-week trial, the jury rendered a verdict in the client’s favor on all of its claims.
  • Trial counsel for major health insurer in eight-day jury trial against the nation’s largest air ambulance provider. Obtained complete defense verdict for client.
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Experience

  • Trial counsel for large hospital client in two-month jury trial against its major market competitor. Successfully obtained an award of more than $10 million in damages and attorneys' fees in one of the largest commercial verdicts in the county's history.
  • Trial counsel for leading health insurer in one-month trial against major market competitor. Obtained significant tortious interference verdict in which jury awarded most of the damages our client requested.
  • Trial counsel for major health system in business dispute against joint venture partner. Following a three-week trial, the jury rendered a verdict in the client’s favor on all of its claims.
  • Trial counsel for major health insurer in eight-day jury trial against the nation’s largest air ambulance provider. Obtained complete defense verdict for client.
  • Represented major financial institution against one of the world's largest reinsurance companies. After several years of contentious litigation in multiple jurisdictions, the team obtained a favorable settlement in excess of $275 million shortly before trial.
  • Trial counsel for bankruptcy trustee in 12-day trial against Fortune 250 company.
  • Defended national financial institution against Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) class action, in which the company's stock fund lost hundreds of millions of dollars in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. In a decision receiving national attention because of its major implications for damages calculations in ERISA "stock drop" cases, the litigation team obtained a dismissal of the case for lack of standing, which the Sixth Circuit affirmed on appeal.
  • Represented national retailer in multi-state putative data breach class actions. Negotiated a favorable settlement for the client.
  • Lead counsel for publicly held company in consumer class actions filed in federal and state courts. Successfully negotiated favorable settlements after years of hard-fought litigation.
  • Represented prominent medical inventor in dispute against business advisor. The case settled on confidential terms after four years of litigation.
  • Defended major insurance company in consumer class action involving insurance rates. After moving for summary judgment with respect to the named plaintiff's claims, class counsel dismissed the case.
  • Represented financial institution as lead counsel in nine consolidated actions alleging improper lending practices. Negotiated a favorable settlement for the client.
  • Defended major financial institution against shareholder derivative suit. The team obtained dismissal of the action on demand futility and statute of limitations grounds.

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • Ohio Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (2005, 2007, 2011 to 2015)

Community

  • Cleveland Restoration Society: Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Pro Bono

  • Represented Cleveland Restoration Society in injunction proceeding to save historically significant home. Successfully defeated attempt to demolish home and obtained receivership appointment for CRS to stabilize the property and prepare it for new owner-occupants.
  • Successfully defended police officer against government's appeal before the Sixth Circuit.

Prior Positions

  • Clerk for the Honorable Karen Nelson Moore, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
  • Ohio

Education

  • J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 2000, Order of the Coif; Editor, Virginia Law Review; Bracewell & Patterson outstanding appellate advocate award
  • B.A., Ohio Wesleyan University, 1997, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa