Scott B. Novak Partner
- Houston
- 281.640.3470
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Since 2005, Scott has pursued a career of aggressive client service with a focus on representing matters in state and federal court, as well as in administrative proceedings. Scott divides his time between defending catastrophic personal injury matters in the commercial transportation arena, cargo claims, premises claims, healthcare medical matters, and commercial matters. While maintaining a strong trial advocacy practice, Scott is equally involved in handling complex matters at the appellate level, whether they be post-judgment appeals, appealing interlocutory orders, and managing contentious discovery matters via mandamus.
Scott represents clients in all phases of pre-litigation, litigation, trial and appeal, often counseling clients in the wake of incidents or accidents to aid in the preservation of evidence and to prepare for imminent claims. Scott also takes his role as counselor to heart, offering analysis and advice to his clients on an as needed basis on subject ranging from commercial matters, contract interpretation, and negotiations. His motivation stems from justice and fairness and takes pride in the equity of the judicial system’s ability to deal in both. He believes that defendants should not be targeted simply due to their deep pockets or ability to pay excessive, outlier verdicts that have triggered excessive litigation which he zealously matches through thoughtful defense tactics and counsel.
Scott is a native Houstonian and is married to Barbra Jean Novak who holds a Masters in Audiology and a Ph.D. in Neurolinguistics. They both enjoy watching their two daughters, Ava and Zoe, grow into bright, curious, and daring young women. Scott is an avid film watcher and armchair reviewer with a highly critiqued Top 10 list. While not in the office or reviewing movies, Scott enjoys going to live music events with his family.
Services
- Appellate
- Healthcare
- Litigation
Education
- South Texas College of Law, J.D., 2005
- University of Texas, B.S., 1999
Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
Representative Experience
- Being a father to two whip-smart daughters and husband to my beautiful, brilliant, and better-than-me wife who did not make me say that.
- Being entrusted to both first- and second-chair multiple, complex matters in state and federal court
- Resolving a multi-million dollar matter post-trial against a multinational party represented by an ex-Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court
- Arguing multiple matters before Texas appellate Courts
- Successfully bringing two substantively relevant Carmack cases to appeal, winning the desired results for my clients, and doing my part to clarify the law
- Successfully defended an unlicensed, illegal alien in an automobile case when she was ticketed at the scene for causing the collision. Damages in excess of $150,000 sought by Plaintiff. 6-0 defense verdict in Harris County.
- Achieved a successful dismissal of a third-party medical consulting provider in a Federal ERISA action brought by an employee seeking damages for the alleged wrongful denial of coverage for in-patient substance abuse counseling.
- Successfully argued to the First Court of Appeals that the trial Judge’s determination that an expert report passed muster under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §74.351 was in error and an abuse of discretion under Palacios and its progeny.
- Successfully obtained a dismissal of a medical malpractice case on the grounds that statutory requirements of Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §74.351 require proof of receipt of an expert report within the 120-day deadline, not merely proof that the report was sent.
- Obtained favorable mediated settlement agreements with state municipalities far below the municipalities Worker’s Compensation payouts.
- Obtained several dismissals of medical malpractice cases on procedural grounds including expert report deficiencies and Daubert/ Robinson.