Scott W. Weatherford
Practice Areas
Experience
- Affirmative Action & Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Background Checks
- Blockchain & Digital Assets
- Business Litigation
- Discrimination & Harassment Claims
- Employee Whistleblower & Retaliation Claims
- Employment & Governmental Investigations
- Employment Policies, Procedures, & Handbooks
- Employment Practice Audits
- Hiring, Performance Management, & Termination
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Labor & Employment Appellate
- Labor & Employment Litigation
- Labor Management & Traditional Labor Relations
- Non-Compete Issues
- Staffing, Independent Contractors, & Contingent Workers
- Trade Secrets
- Unfair Competition & Trade Secrets
- Wage & Hour
- Workplace Ethics, Compliance, & Investigations
- Workplace Safety & Health
- Workplace Training
Biography
Scott Weatherford is an innovative trial attorney with a comprehensive complex litigation practice focusing on intellectual property, trade secret, and technology-related commercial disputes. Scott advocates on behalf of Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and local business owners in state courts, federal courts, arbitrations, and administrative agencies across the state of Texas.
Using his experience with litigation, Scott also counsels clients on how to navigate workplace compliance and legal issues related to employee misconduct, personnel policies, unfair competition, and protection of proprietary business information.
Education
B.A., with honors, University of Texas at Austin
B.B.A., University of Texas at Austin
J.D., Baylor Law School
- Baylor Law Review
- Articles Editor
- Associate Editor
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
Blockchain & Digital Assets
- Successfully obtained permanent injunction and final judgment on behalf of a dual-token cryptocurrency company after its former President stole trade secrets and attempted to form a competing company.
Technology Litigation
- Obtained favorable settlement in “bet-the-company” litigation when client’s computer network was hacked due to faulty security software and integration.
- Represented Silicon Valley corporation in breach of contract action involving sale of domain names and other intellectual property.
- Prosecuted breach of contract and other claims resulting from poor design and implementation of enterprise resource planning system.
- Represented a local business owner in the prosecution of a breach of contract claim related to a dispute over personal property. Tried the case to a judge in state court in Travis County and obtained a favorable ruling awarding damages and attorneys’ fees.
Trade Secret/Non-Compete Litigation
- Delivered a complete defense jury verdict in a multimillion-dollar alleged trade secrets dispute between two competing insurance companies selling insurance policies in Latin America. After a two-week jury trial, the jury awarded the plaintiffs zero dollars and awarded the clients a combined $1.29 million as a result of the plaintiffs’ wrongfully taking away their sales commissions.
- Successfully defended a former employee against allegations of trade secret misappropriation resulting from alleged violations of non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure obligations.
- Obtained temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, and favorable settlement when client’s business partner attempted to steal goodwill and trade secrets from the company.
- Successfully avoided preliminary and permanent injunctions sought against former franchisee for alleged violations of a non-compete agreement.
- Obtained temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, and favorable settlement when client’s competitor downloaded and misappropriated thousands of proprietary and confidential documents.
- Represented a plumbing and HVAC service company in obtaining a permanent injunction and a six-figure settlement in a case involving theft of trade secrets claims.
Workplace Compliance
- Resolved numerous discrimination, harassment and retaliation lawsuits.
- Successfully resolved a purported class-action involving allegations of widespread wage and hour violations resulting from misclassification of independent contractors.
- Defended an engineering and construction company throughout an extensive OSHA investigation conducted by the Department of Labor, resulting in a dismissal of the initial complaint and a finding of no violations.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2019-2024
- Business Litigation
- Employment Litigation
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- “Austin’s Top Attorneys” List – Commercial Litigation, Austin Monthly, 2021-2023
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation, 2018
- Author, “The Ad Hoc Duty: A Landowner’s Duty to Protect After Del Lago Partners v. Smith” 63 Baylor L. Rev. 656.
- Speaker, General Counsel Forum (Austin/San Antonio Chapter) Quarterly Event, Attorney/Client Privilege, September 2016.
- Speaker, Association of Corporate Counsel (Austin Chapter) Luncheon, Attorney/Client Privilege, April 2016.
- Speaker, Jackson Walker 2015 Labor & Employment Seminar, Attorney/Client Privilege, October 2015.
- Speaker, TWCA/TRWA Water Law Seminar, Legal Ethics and Social Media, January 2015
- Speaker, Labor & Employment Seminar, Social Media and the NLRB, September 2014
- Speaker RMCMI Conference & Annual Meeting, Social Media: Policy, Procedure, and Personal Use, June 2014
Scott is a native Austinite who prides himself on active participation in the Austin community and bar.
- Austin Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, Board Member
- Austin Young Chamber of Commerce, General Counsel and Board Member
- Lloyd Lochridge American Inn of Court, Barrister
- Central Texas Food Bank of Texas, Past Board Member
- Junior Achievement of Central Texas, Past Board Member
- Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Austin
- Graduate of Emerge Class of 2015
- Austin Stone Community Church, Deacon
- State Bar of Texas
- American Bar Association
- Austin Young Lawyers Association
- Graduate of Leadership Academy Class of 2018
August 15, 2024
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
July 11, 2024
Attorney News
‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 21 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2024
Jackson Walker congratulates the 21 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthly’s list of “Austin’s Top Attorneys” for 2024. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 39 categories.
May 28, 2024
Attorney News
Scott Weatherford Elected to Austin Bar Association’s Civil Litigation Section Board of Directors
Jackson Walker proudly congratulates partner Scott W. Weatherford on his election to the Board of Directors of the Austin Bar Association’s Civil Litigation Section.
March 21, 2024
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates 2024 Texas Rising Stars
Each year, Super Lawyers recognizes only 5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less as “Rising Stars.”
August 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
July 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 12 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2023
Jackson Walker congratulates the 12 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthly’s list of “Austin’s Top Attorneys” for 2023. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 39 categories.
March 23, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2023 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 63 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2023 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list, which recognizes only 5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less.
October 25, 2022
Attorney News
‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 14 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2022
Jackson Walker congratulates the 14 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthly’s list of “Austin’s Top Attorneys” for 2022. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 38 categories.
March 30, 2022
Newsletters
Labor & Employment Dispatch: April 2022
View the April 2022 edition of the Labor & Employment Dispatch.
- Represented a local business owner in the prosecution of a breach of contract claim related to a dispute over personal property. Tried the case to a judge in state court in Travis County and obtained a favorable ruling awarding damages and attorneys’ fees.
- Defended a federal contractor against a qui tam lawsuit brought by a former employee. Obtained a voluntary dismissal by the plaintiff after filing a motion to dismiss under Federal Rule 12(b)(6).
- Defended an engineering and construction company throughout an extensive OSHA investigation conducted by the Department of Labor, resulting in a dismissal of the initial complaint and a finding of no violations.
Practice Experience
Blockchain & Digital Assets
- Successfully obtained permanent injunction and final judgment on behalf of a dual-token cryptocurrency company after its former President stole trade secrets and attempted to form a competing company.
Technology Litigation
- Obtained favorable settlement in “bet-the-company” litigation when client’s computer network was hacked due to faulty security software and integration.
- Represented Silicon Valley corporation in breach of contract action involving sale of domain names and other intellectual property.
- Prosecuted breach of contract and other claims resulting from poor design and implementation of enterprise resource planning system.
- Represented a local business owner in the prosecution of a breach of contract claim related to a dispute over personal property. Tried the case to a judge in state court in Travis County and obtained a favorable ruling awarding damages and attorneys’ fees.
Trade Secret/Non-Compete Litigation
- Delivered a complete defense jury verdict in a multimillion-dollar alleged trade secrets dispute between two competing insurance companies selling insurance policies in Latin America. After a two-week jury trial, the jury awarded the plaintiffs zero dollars and awarded the clients a combined $1.29 million as a result of the plaintiffs’ wrongfully taking away their sales commissions.
- Successfully defended a former employee against allegations of trade secret misappropriation resulting from alleged violations of non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure obligations.
- Obtained temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, and favorable settlement when client’s business partner attempted to steal goodwill and trade secrets from the company.
- Successfully avoided preliminary and permanent injunctions sought against former franchisee for alleged violations of a non-compete agreement.
- Obtained temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, and favorable settlement when client’s competitor downloaded and misappropriated thousands of proprietary and confidential documents.
- Represented a plumbing and HVAC service company in obtaining a permanent injunction and a six-figure settlement in a case involving theft of trade secrets claims.
Workplace Compliance
- Resolved numerous discrimination, harassment and retaliation lawsuits.
- Successfully resolved a purported class-action involving allegations of widespread wage and hour violations resulting from misclassification of independent contractors.
- Defended an engineering and construction company throughout an extensive OSHA investigation conducted by the Department of Labor, resulting in a dismissal of the initial complaint and a finding of no violations.
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2019-2024
- Business Litigation
- Employment Litigation
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- “Austin’s Top Attorneys” List – Commercial Litigation, Austin Monthly, 2021-2023
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation, 2018
Publications & Speeches
- Author, “The Ad Hoc Duty: A Landowner’s Duty to Protect After Del Lago Partners v. Smith” 63 Baylor L. Rev. 656.
- Speaker, General Counsel Forum (Austin/San Antonio Chapter) Quarterly Event, Attorney/Client Privilege, September 2016.
- Speaker, Association of Corporate Counsel (Austin Chapter) Luncheon, Attorney/Client Privilege, April 2016.
- Speaker, Jackson Walker 2015 Labor & Employment Seminar, Attorney/Client Privilege, October 2015.
- Speaker, TWCA/TRWA Water Law Seminar, Legal Ethics and Social Media, January 2015
- Speaker, Labor & Employment Seminar, Social Media and the NLRB, September 2014
- Speaker RMCMI Conference & Annual Meeting, Social Media: Policy, Procedure, and Personal Use, June 2014
Community Involvement
Scott is a native Austinite who prides himself on active participation in the Austin community and bar.
- Austin Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, Board Member
- Austin Young Chamber of Commerce, General Counsel and Board Member
- Lloyd Lochridge American Inn of Court, Barrister
- Central Texas Food Bank of Texas, Past Board Member
- Junior Achievement of Central Texas, Past Board Member
- Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Austin
- Graduate of Emerge Class of 2015
- Austin Stone Community Church, Deacon
- State Bar of Texas
- American Bar Association
- Austin Young Lawyers Association
- Graduate of Leadership Academy Class of 2018
Career Highlights
- Represented a local business owner in the prosecution of a breach of contract claim related to a dispute over personal property. Tried the case to a judge in state court in Travis County and obtained a favorable ruling awarding damages and attorneys’ fees.
- Defended a federal contractor against a qui tam lawsuit brought by a former employee. Obtained a voluntary dismissal by the plaintiff after filing a motion to dismiss under Federal Rule 12(b)(6).
- Defended an engineering and construction company throughout an extensive OSHA investigation conducted by the Department of Labor, resulting in a dismissal of the initial complaint and a finding of no violations.
Practice Areas
Experience
- Affirmative Action & Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Background Checks
- Blockchain & Digital Assets
- Business Litigation
- Discrimination & Harassment Claims
- Employee Whistleblower & Retaliation Claims
- Employment & Governmental Investigations
- Employment Policies, Procedures, & Handbooks
- Employment Practice Audits
- Hiring, Performance Management, & Termination
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Labor & Employment Appellate
- Labor & Employment Litigation
- Labor Management & Traditional Labor Relations
- Non-Compete Issues
- Staffing, Independent Contractors, & Contingent Workers
- Trade Secrets
- Unfair Competition & Trade Secrets
- Wage & Hour
- Workplace Ethics, Compliance, & Investigations
- Workplace Safety & Health
- Workplace Training