Attorneys

Scott F. Hessell​

Partner

Scott Hessell has represented clients in complex commercial disputes throughout the country in both state and federal courts, as well as arbitration tribunals. He co-leads Sperling & Slater’s tax shelter liability practice which has successfully recovered in excess of $70,000,000 for the firm’s clients from the professionals who designed, marketed and implemented sham tax strategies. Among other trial successes, Scott was lead trial counsel in two jury trials in the Summer of 2023 that resulted in 8-figure jury verdicts – one against Walmart in Fayetteville, Arkansas for $20 million and other against PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Portland, Oregon for $65.5 million.

Prior to joining Sperling & Slater in 2006, Mr. Hessell spent four years as a litigation associate at the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis and also served as a law clerk to the Hon. Karen LeCraft Henderson (D.C. Cir.).

Publications

  • “Attempting to Put the Genie Back in the Bottle — Is ‘Selective’ Waiver of Attorney-Client an Work-Product Privileges Dead?”
  • “Limited Scope Tax Engagements – Not as Limited as You Think,” Tax Notes, April 4, 2016.,

Education

  • University of Chicago Law School (J.D. 2001)
    • with Honors
  • University of Michigan (B.A. in Political Science 1997)

Admissions

  • Illinois (2001)
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar, 2008)

Memberships and Professional Affiliations

  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Decalogue Society
  • National Urban Debate League (Chicago Debate Commission)
  • University of Michigan Debate Alumni Association
  • Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School