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Overview

Scott Atwood chairs Henderson Franklin’s Labor and Employment Law Group and represents employers in employment litigation, workplace compliance and other labor and employment matters. With three decades of experience, he advises businesses, entrepreneurs and public entities throughout Florida and across the United States on workplace disputes and day-to-day employment issues.

Scott represents employers in matters involving Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims. He also counsels employers on FMLA leave, FLSA and wage-and-hour compliance, wage and commission disputes, whistleblower claims, non-compete agreements, trade secrets and employment contracts. His broader business practice includes drafting, negotiating, and litigating confidentiality agreements, operating agreements and shareholder agreements.

As a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator, Scott also assists parties in resolving employment, business and other civil disputes through mediation. His decades of litigation experience provide practical perspective when evaluating risk, potential resolution and the costs associated with continued litigation.

Scott has been recognized for his work in employment law numerous times by Best Lawyers in America,® Florida Super Lawyers,  and Naples Illustrated, which has repeatedly named him a “Top Lawyer.” Earlier in his career, he was recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star while practicing with labor and employment law firms in Atlanta. Scott has long been active with the Florida Bar’s statewide Labor & Employment Law Section, where he still serves on its Executive Council, after his peers previously elected him to the prestigious position of Chair.

Scott is an honors graduate of Dartmouth College, and currently serves on the board of the Dartmouth Club of Southwest Florida. He also holds an M.A. from the College of William & Mary, where he received a full scholarship. After a short stint in publishing, Scott earned his law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, with honors, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Journal of International Law and editor of the law school newspaper, and received the President’s Award for service. He currently serves on the University of Florida Law Alumni Council, where he is a past National Alumni Relations Chair.

Scott addresses pertinent topics such as overtime pay regulations and civil rights in the workplace, including:

Outside of his professional life, Scott treasures time spent with his family, enjoys discovering new travel destinations, and is an avid follower of New England sports teams.

Professional and Civic Affiliations

Beyond his personal professional accomplishments, Scott has a long record of service as a statewide leader in the legal profession. He has served on The Florida Bar’s highest regulatory body, the Board of Governors, including roles on its Executive and Disciplinary Review Committees. He also was elected as President of the 100,000-member Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, and was twice elected President of the Florida Bar’s 10,000 member Out-of-State Division. Scott’s contributions also include past roles as vice-chair of the Florida Bar’s Continuing Legal Education Committee, chair of the Small Firm Section of the Atlanta Bar Association, and service on the Florida Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism.

Scott is also a dedicated local community leader. He has held significant roles in various organizations in Southwest Florida, including past service as president of both the Lee County Bar Association and Lee County Bar Association Foundation. He has also chaired the Board of Directors for the Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center, and served on the Allocations Committee for the United Way of Lee County. He currently serves as Legislative Chair for SHRM Naples. Scott is an alumnus of both the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class of 2017, and Chamber of Southwest Florida‘s Leadership Lee, Class of 2021.

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