Picture of Scott L. Zimmer

Scott L. Zimmer

Partner

Shreveport: 318.562.2655
 Houston: 713.844.3018

scott.zimmer@keanmiller.com
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Litigator and trial and appellate advocate, Scott Zimmer, defends energy companies and other businesses involved in high-stakes federal and state court lawsuits. He brings decades of earned and proven experience to resolving – inside and outside of court, in mediation and arbitration, and at trial and on appeal – single and multiple plaintiff claims, class action lawsuits, and MDLs.

Whether Scott is aggressively defending complex oil and gas and environmental lawsuits, resolving commercial, transportation, and gaming industry disputes, or litigating serious, emotionally charged personal injury claims, clients appreciate his consistently good judgment and proven skill. Notably, Scott has succeeded in cases that appeared dire at the onset of the claim and where he was able to find a resolution that far exceeded client expectations while also mitigating their liability.

On behalf of Fortune 500 corporations and other privately held companies, Scott has resolved billions of dollars of claims across Louisiana and beyond over the course of his career. Among his clients are global, national, and local energy companies doing business in Louisiana and Texas, as well as major household-name trucking and gaming businesses, among other examples.

In everything he does, Scott is known and sought out for serving as an effective advocate who delivers meticulous case preparation, tactical litigation strategy on attack or defense, and veteran case management acumen that leverages and expedites resolution by settlement or via the courts. An active trial and appellate advocate in a time where very few litigators actually try cases, Scott brings substantial trial and appellate advocacy skill – and therefore the advantage – to his clients when negotiating with the opposition outside of court.

From the onset of the claim, Scott prepares his cases for trial and on appeal, which often results in more pressure on opposing counsel to acquiesce to his client’s position. He prioritizes the most persuasive arguments and case facts that will be effective before judges and juries alike.

Scott is known for results that are efficient and cost-effective. He proves, time and again, his ability to create a compelling narrative in support of his client’s position. He is known for building optimal trial teams, including in-house discovery attorneys, and for identifying and developing evidence that promotes potential settlement or, ultimately, the win at trial and on appeal. With a reputation that is national in scope, Scott is regularly called upon by other lawyers and law firms to serve as Louisiana and Texas counsel in their most complex multi-state claims.

Representative Experience
  • Representation of oil and gas companies in lawsuits involving alleged property damage and remediation related to historic oil and gas operations
  • Successful defense in Louisiana state court of a premises owner resulting in a jury verdict denying plaintiff's claims for serious personal injury
  • Successful defense in Texas state court of an international business resulting in a favorable jury verdict in commercial dispute case
  • Representation of commercial motor vehicle carriers in large personal injury suits in Texas and Louisiana state and federal courts
  • Representation of manufacturers in defective design claims
  • Successful defense of various clients in the defense of personal injury claims alleging traumatic personal injuries and toxic exposure
Education

  • University of Houston Law Center, J.D., 1998
    • Executive Member, Trial Advocacy Program
  • University of Southwestern Louisiana, B.S., 1994

Admissions
  • Louisiana
  • Texas
  • United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana
  • United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • United States District Courts for the Eastern, Southern and Northern Districts of Texas
Memberships
  • Member, Shreveport Bar Association
  • Member, Houston Bar Association
  • Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Member, Texas State Bar Association
  • Member, Federal Fifth Circuit Bar Association
  • Member, Harry V. Booth and Judge Henry A Politz American Inn of Court
  • Member, Louisiana Association of Defense Council
Reported Cases
  • McKinney v. Horseshoe Bossier City Hotel & Casino, 2019 WL 1560463 (W. D. La. 2019)
  • Stringer v. Hand Construction, 261 So. 3d 139 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2018)
  • Davisson V. Davisson, 248 So. 2d 633 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2018)
  • Daniels v. International Paper Company, 245 So. 3d 180 ( La. App. 2 Cir. 2017)
  • Succession of Davisson, 211 So. 3d 597 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2016)
  • Gardner v. Craft, 2014 WL 880401, (La. App. 2 Cir. 2014)
  • Layton v. Chevron, 2014 WL 222829, (W.D. La. 2014)
  • Hollybrook Cottonseed Processing v. Carver, Inc., 2013 WL 6903901 (W.D. La. 2013)
  • Haygood v. Louisiana State Board of Dentistry, 101 So.3d 90, (La. App. 4 Cir. 2012)
  • Quillian v. Dixie Bonded Warehouse, 105 So.3d 71 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2012)
  • In Re Succession of Carroll, 72 So.3d 384 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2011)
  • Regional Urology, LLC v. Price, 2010 WL 702260 (Tex. App. – Tyler, 2010)
  • Hughes v. T.G. Mercer Consulting Services, 26 So.3d 954 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2009)
  • Nextstar Broadcasting, Inc. v. Gray, 2008 WL 2521967 (Tex. App. – Beaumont, 2008)
  • Signal v. Anderson, 973 So.2d 933 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2007)
  • Lewis v. Albertson’s, 935 So.2d 771 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2006)
  • Whitmore v. Louisiana Hydro-Electric, 893 So.2d 961 (La. App. 3 Cir. 2005)
  • Nelson v. Southeast Foods, Inc., 892 So.2d 790 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2005)
  • Meynard v. Pickett Industries, Inc., 896 So.2d 126 (La. App. 3 Cir. 2004)
  • Koehn v. Rhodes, 882 So.2d 757 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2004)
  • Coker v. Morris, 855 So.2d 916 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2003)
  • Morgan v. Investment Cars Unlimited, Inc., 843 So.2d 580 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2002)
  • Jones v. Ruskin Mfg., 834 So.2d 1126 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2002)
  • Connor v. Scroggs, 821 So.2d 542 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2002)
  • SWAT 24 Shreveport Bossier, Inc. v. Bond, 808 So.2d 294 (La. Supreme Ct. 2001)
  • Knowles v. McCright’s Pharmacy, Inc., 785 So.2d 101 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2001)
  • Rhodes v. Dolet Hills Mining Co., 779 So.2d 1101 (La. App. 3 Cir. 2001)
  • Trinity Universal Ins. Co. v. Horton, 756 So.2d 637 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2000)