Scott Kelly is a nationally recognized leader in equal employment opportunity law, pay equity, and legally compliant diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, regularly advising and counseling employers on matters including employment discrimination, compliance programs, government contracting, affirmative action obligations, and workplace-related crises. His practice focuses on proactively advising clients in C-suite, senior leader, managerial, talent acquisition, and compensation executive roles in the financial services, media and entertainment, healthcare, higher education, retail, manufacturing, and technology industries—in addition to federal contractors and federal grant recipients.
He advises and counsels employers on the full spectrum of workplace related matters. Scott also provides advice regarding the proper validation of employment selection procedures to ensure compliance with Title VII and other applicable employment laws. Drawing on years of strategic litigation, Scott has represented employers in connection with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) systemic pattern or practice investigations, as well as litigation involving challenges to hiring, compensation, promotion and other practices alleged to cause class-wide disparate impact or disparate treatment discrimination. He is skilled in evaluating damages assessments that impact systemic enforcement actions, litigation defense, and settlement options.
Scott leads the firm’s workforce analytics and compliance team of more than 30 multidisciplinary attorneys and analytics professionals. Combining expertise in employment law and data analytics, Scott advises organizations on policies affecting all stages of the employment life cycle, including
- sourcing and recruitment,
- selection,
- career advancement and promotions, and
- retention.
With experience in designing and defending compensation systems, Scott has led numerous proactive pay equity analyses across various industries.
Private, public, and non-profit employers call on Scott for his practical advice and counseling and to provide training in all aspects of employment law and leadership skills. He frequently speaks on national employment law issues and has published articles and papers on employment law issues in publications around the country.
Scott is a fellow in College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Thomson Reuters named Scott a Stand-Out Lawyer in 2025, based on client feedback that he provides “great responsiveness and client service,”and“his advice … helps you formulate strategies that are effective for your business in your context.”
The Best Lawyers in America® has included Scott in every edition since 2016. He is currently recognized in the Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment categories. Scott is also a fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and the Birmingham Business Journal named him Best of the Bar in 2019.
Scott is admitted to practice in Alabama, Georgia, as well as in various federal courts.