Overview
Scott Chinn represents businesses, governments and nonprofits in public-private transactions, policymaking and disputes. He also provides advice on public sector legal matters and constitutional law.
Scott leads the firm's government and regulatory group, co-leads the public-issues ESG initiative and is a member of the political law working group. Scott also serves as the lead for the social-asset class on the firm’s infrastructure team. He is the former leader of the firm’s public finance practice and public-private partnership initiative.
As a litigator, Scott has argued constitutional and public law cases at every level of state and federal court, including in the U.S. Supreme Court. He teaches and is a frequent lecturer on constitutional law.
Government Experience
Prior to joining Faegre Drinker, Scott served from 2000 to 2005 as Corporation Counsel for the City of Indianapolis. In this role he coordinated the Indianapolis Works government consolidation plan, the Lucas Oil Stadium construction / convention center expansion project, and the purchase of the Indianapolis Water Company. He served as Special Counsel to the Attorney General of Indiana from 1997 to 1999.
Faculty Positions
- Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law — Adjunct Professor of Law, 2016-present
Related Legal Services
Related Policy, Advocacy, and Consulting Services
Related Industries
Related Topics
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Indiana
Court Admissions
Indiana Supreme Court
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Clerkships
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Hon. David F. Hamilton, 1994-1995
Education
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
J.D. magna cum laude, Indiana International and Comparative Law Review (editor-in-chief) (1994)
Indiana University, Bloomington
B.A. (1991)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
News
Other Perspectives
- Dissecting challenges to employers’ diversity programs
Indiana Employment Law Letter, September 1, 2023
Great Lakes Employment Law Letter, Vol. 4, No. 9, September 2023 - Bar Be Nimble, Bar Be Quick. Is Advocating in Our Bailiwick?
Plenary Session Moderator, National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP), New York City, 2017 - Constitutional Law
Hoosier CLE Annual Law Survey, 2015-present - Constitutional Law
Bar Review Lecturer, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2007-present - To Speak Out or Not to Speak Out: That Is the Question
Plenary Session Moderator, National Conference of Bar Presidents, Boston Massachusetts, August 2014 - Surviving in a Large Firm
Co-presenter, Applied Professionalism CLE, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2012-15
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- Indianapolis Bar Association — President, 2012; President-Elect, 2011; First Vice President, 2010; Board of Directors, 2005-07 and 2009; Legal Counsel to President, 2008 and 2014; Director, IndyBar Innovation and Research Council, 2015; Government Practice Section Executive Committee, 2022-present; Masters Division Executive Committee, 2022-present
- Indiana State Bar Association
- Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association — Board, 2000-07; President, 2005-06
- National Conference of Bar Presidents — Executive Council, 2015-18
- Seventh Circuit Bar Association
- Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Board of Visitors, 2021-present
- Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Alumni Association — Board, 2007-20 (President, 2016-18)
- State Legislative Study Commission on Marion County Consolidation, 2005
- National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms — Advisory Board, 2003-05
- Mayor's Accessibility Review and Oversight Committee — Vice Chair, 2003-05
- Marion County Board of Ethics — Secretary, 2000-04
- History Society of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana — Trustee, 1995-present
Civic Activities
- Ron Chinn Public Sector Law Scholarship
- FACE Low-Cost Spay-Neuter Clinic (Ron & Linda Chinn Community Cat Fund)
- National WWI Museum and Memorial
- Food Bank / Community Kitchen Supporter in Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana; and Sedona, Arizona
- Grand Canyon Association
Firm Leadership
- Leader, Government and Regulatory Group, 2025-present
Honors
- Best Lawyers® — Appellate Practice, 2009-25; Commercial Litigation, 2010-11 and 2019-25; Litigation — Municipal, 2012-25 (Lawyer of the Year — 2016, 2018 and 2021); Public Finance Law, 2012-25 (Lawyer of the Year — 2013)
- Indiana Lawyer Leadership in Law — “Distinguished Barrister”, 2024
- Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020
- Benchmark Litigation — Future Star, 2012-14, 2020
- Indiana Super Lawyers — Government/Cities/Municipalities, 2004-23, 2025
- Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law — Maynard K. Hine Medal for service to the IUPUI campus, 2016
- Indianapolis Bar Association — President's Award for Service to the Profession (as member of study committee), 2010
- Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Program — Class XXXII, 2007-08
- Indianapolis Bar Foundation — Distinguished Fellow
- Sagamore of the Wabash, 2005
- National Register’s Who's Who in Executives and Professionals, 2005-06
- Indianapolis Business Journal — Forty Under 40 Award, 2003; Who's Who, 2002
- Martindale-Hubbell — Peer Review Rating: AV®