Scott N. Hunt

After  arguing at the United States Supreme Court (in 1999), Mr. Hunt developed an outstanding reputation during his 30-plus years as a litigator.  For over 10 years Super Lawyers rated him one of the top 50 attorneys in Oregon, and in 2016 and 2019 Best Lawyers named him Lawyer of the Year in his field.  Mr. Hunt brings the same dedication, drive, and passion to his mediation practice.  His philosophy toward mediation is that the parties generally are willing to resolve a dispute, but often need creative insight (or sometimes simply a third party’s objective perspective) to reach a solution.  Through patient listening and utilizing the experience gained by having participated in scores of mediations Mr. Hunt is ready, willing (and able) to provide that assistance.  He understands that if the parties approach mediation in good faith with an open-mind and a desire to reach an agreement, a satisfactory resolution is nearly always obtainable . . . with a little help.  His role is to assist the parties in making an informed decision having been made aware of the risks of not settling and the advantages of reaching an agreement.  Because resolution almost always requires compromise, by all the parties, it is often said both sides leave unhappy from a successful mediation.  However, Mr. Hunt believes a successful mediation results in a win-win situation, where all parties rightfully feel empowered, because they retain control over their decision, and the resolution provides closure both financially and personally.

Prior to opening his own firm, Busse & Hunt, LLC, in 2020, Mr. Hunt was a partner with Busse & Hunt since 1997. He represents employees in wrongful discharge claims and all types of discrimination, harassment, retaliation and whistleblowing actions as well as medical leave claims and wage claims. In 1999 he argued Albertsons v. Kirkingburg, a seminal disability discrimination case, before the United States Supreme Court. Since then his primary focus has been on disability law. He has also argued before the Washington Supreme Court, the Oregon Court of Appeals, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Many of those cases have resulted in significant appellate court rulings, including Head v. Glacier Northwest, 413 F.3d 1053 (9th Cir. 2005).  He teaches Disability Law at Willamette University Law School.

Mr. Hunt has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Labor and Employment Law, since 2007. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Oregon Super Lawyers from 2007 to the present. He is currently listed in Oregon Super Lawyers Top 50 attorneys and has been for over ten years. Martindale-Hubbell has awarded him an “AV rating”, its highest for legal ability and ethics. In addition to his trial and appellate practice, Mr. Hunt is active in the Oregon State Bar continuing legal education program. He has co-authored numerous chapters in various Oregon State Bar publications.

In addition to speaking at continuing legal education seminars, his bar activities include service on the following committees: Disability Section Executive Committee (2000-2002); Uniform Civil Jury Instructions Committee (2004 through 2006); the Civil Rights Section Executive Committee (2007 to 2009); and the Labor and Employment Section Executive Committee (2005 through 2006 and 2008 through 2017) and as an advisory member from 2019 to the present.

In 2010 he was appointed to The Bench and Bar Commission on Professionalism, on which he served through 2018. In 2014, Mr. Hunt was elected into The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, an international organization. Recently he was selected by The Best Lawyers in America as Portland, Oregon’s 2016 and 2019 “Lawyer of the Year,” for the category of “Employment Law-Individuals,” and as Portland, Oregon’s 2017 “Lawyer of the Year,” for the category “Litigation – Labor and Employment.” In 2018 he served on the Oregon Law Commission’s Sexual Harassment Work Group.

1992, State of Oregon
1993, U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
1993, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
1999, Supreme Court of the United States

Grinnell College, B.A., Phi Beta Kappa.
Northwestern School of Law, Lewis and Clark College, J.D., magna cum laude.
Straus Institute at Pepperdine University “Mediating the Litigated Case:.

Recognized as 2023 Best Lawyer

The Lifetime Achievement selection among America’s Top 100 Attorneys

Included in the 5th edition of Benchmark Litigation, Labor & Employment Annual Guide

Selected to the 2023 list as a member of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel

Named 2023 AV Preeminent Attorney – Judicial Edition Martindale-Hubbell