Scott A. Elder

• National counsel to an international mining corporation in talc mass tort litigation in multiple jurisdictions around the country. 
• Lead counsel in jury trials in Los Angeles and New Jersey involving allegations that cosmetic talcum powder was contaminated with asbestos and caused cancer. 
• National counsel to one of the nation’s largest wireless phone service providers in litigation alleging adverse health effects from the use of wireless phones.
• Represented a manufacturer of over-the-counter medication in a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) inquiry related to advertising. The FTC concluded the investigation without requiring any corrective action. 
• Counsel to a leading over-the-counter drug manufacturer in multiple challenges before the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau.
• Counsel to numerous clients involved in assessments and recalls under the Consumer Product Safety Act, including consumer electronics, auto parts, appliances, toys, play sand, and other consumer goods.
• National science counsel to a pharmaceutical company in multidistrict litigation involving 6,000 plaintiffs and associated state court cases. Obtained favorable scientific evidence rulings leading to the exclusion of opinions from six of the plaintiffs’ expert witnesses in three different jurisdictions.
• Represented an international paint and coatings manufacturer in a proposed nationwide class action alleging the sale of defective deck paint. 
• Counsel to a glass products manufacturer in an environmental class action alleging contamination from historic glass manufacturing operations. 
• Represented a national restaurant chain in a purported class action in California alleging false advertising to children. The court dismissed all claims at the motion to dismiss stage. 

Scott Elder represents corporations in complex litigation, from inception through trial, throughout the country. As a leader of the firm’s Products Liability Team, Scott is called on by clients for his extensive experience in mass torts and class actions, as well as in commercial cases involving product warranties and related contracts. He frequently handles cases at the intersection of product defect and false advertising and also provides advice on advertising claim construction, product development, and risk mitigation. Scott’s experience includes pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, asbestos, silica, chemicals, automobiles, and consumer equipment and electronics. Scott was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America^© 2016–2022. He received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University, where he was a member of the Vanderbilt Law Review and the Order of the Coif.

Bar Admissions

• Georgia

Education

• Vanderbilt University (J.D., 1997)
• Duke University (B.A., 1994)