Scott C. Watson one of the three founding partners of Keller, O’Reilly & Watson, with 40 years of experience, graduated from St. Johns School of Law in 1981. He is the managing partner and has been the President since its inception. The firm is very proud to have celebrated its 30th year of practice in November of 2020. Mr. Watson’s collegiate career was at Macalester College where he graduated in 1977, as a history and political science major, while also playing varsity soccer for two seasons and baseball for one year.
Mr. Watson began his distinguished legal career at a large defense litigation firm where he spent years honing his legal skills. During this time he had the distinction to clerk for Federal Judge Glenn Mencer in the Western District Court of Pennsylvania; during this clerkship Mr. Watson assisted Judge Mencer during multiple trials in the Courtroom.
Mr. Watson is a seasoned trial attorney acting as lead counsel in over 100 cases during his career; and has taken verdicts in every county of New York City; Nassau and Suffolk Counties; and both the Southern District of NY and Eastern District of NY. He has successfully defended physicians, hospitals, nurse practitioners and other health care providers against multi- million dollar claims of medical malpractice. Mr. Watson works tirelessly to defend the clients he represents: giving his full and undivided personal attention to each and every client. Mr. Watson is a specialist in the defense of complex matters involving medical malpractice, products liability and premises liability. In addition to his extensive trial practice, Mr. Watson has written briefs for the appellate practice and successfully argued appeals in both the NYS First and Second Departments. He orally argued in the US Second Circuit Appellate Court as well as the NYS Court of Appeals.
As an annually invited speaker at the St. Johns Law School continuing legal education program; he lectures and educates lawyers in developing their litigation skills. He has interviewed and hired many dozens of young lawyers during his career. The dedication and interest he shows to his clients extends to the many young attorneys he has hired and trained: often bringing them to court during his trials and all other facets of the litigation process including important depositions and appellate process. In this capacity it is Mr. Watson’s belief that his mentorship, provided over many years, not only fosters the legal profession in general, but also adds to the overall legal community. Many of the young professionals that have been mentored by Scott Watson have found success starting their own firms or have become partners in other Long Island law-firms.
Mr. Watson is known as a relentless advocate who brings his unyielding abilities to stand up for those individuals and corporations sued in personal injury litigation all over the City of NY and Long Island. He brings a work ethic that allows for the mastery of each matter as well as compassion for his client and the overall circumstances of each case. Mr. Watson is also known for his word is his bond—by all members of the Bar. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association; the New York State Trial Lawyers Association; the Nassau Suffolk Trial Lawyers Association and the Nassau County Bar Association.
While being raised in Queens, Scott and his wife Dawn have happily lived in Cold Spring Harbor on Long Island for 30 years where they raised their three children. During this time, Mr. Watson volunteered coaching little league baseball for ten years, a soccer coach for seven years and spent five years as the Cub Master for the local Cub Scout organization. When not actively involved in a matter, Mr. Watson enjoys spending time in Saratoga Springs, NY and working on his golf game.
Mr. Watson can be contacted directly or by his administrative assistant, Diane Buondelmonte.