Scott R. Ast

Scott R. Ast

Shareholder

Assistant :

Scott R. Ast is chair of SAKG’s Transportation and Product Liability practice groups and a nationally recognized trial attorney delivering results in high stakes commercial and personal injury litigation. Clients trust Scott’s strategic counsel and courtroom skill when the risks are greatest.

About

Scott is a cofounding shareholder of the firm, where he chairs the Firm's commercial litigation and product liability practice groups. Scott is a seasoned litigator who advises clients and maintains an active trial practice in a wide range of matters. He leverages firsthand insight and business acumen to provide practical advice that puts clients' goals front and center. Scott is repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine for his work and is sought after for his practical, business‑focused legal guidance.

With significant first-chair jury trial experience in state and federal courts, Scott has successfully handled complex disputes for businesses and individuals involving high-stacks, multi-week trials related to large-exposure business and personal injury claims. Scott has defended claims involving breach of contract, fraud and misrepresentation, defamation, misappropriation of trade secrets, non-compete disputes, violations of federal laws with the potential for significant penalties and class certification such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the False Claims Act (FCA) qui tam claims, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) law regarding website accessibility. In addition to his commercial litigation practice, Scott has years of experience as manufacturers’ national counsel in the investigation and defense of claims involving fires and alleged product defects. He has also leveraged this experience as counsel for plaintiffs in fire cases involving physical injures, death and property damage. Scott actively defends transportation clients in the railroad and trucking industries.

Areas of Practice

Business & Commercial

Product Liability

Transportation

Employment law

$11.1 million verdict for mother in wrongful death fire case against landlord for failing to provide adequate smoke alarms and failing to inspect rental home.
Won defense verdict in Oregon federal court in case involving claims of misappropriated trade secrets and tortious interference.
Prevailed with defense verdict in Wyandotte County in case alleging brain injury and permanent disability from head strike.
Successfully defended railroad against wrongful death claim by trespassers and motorists at grade crossings.
Navigated claims of trade secret misappropriation against manufacturer which had contracted with former employee of competitor, and avoided prolonged litigation
Participated in numerous fire origin and cause investigations arising from events that resulted in catastrophic injuries, death and millions of dollars in damage.
Defend manufacturers against product liability claims involving consumer products and components parts.
Defended manufacturer’s transportation department and driver in personal injury and death claims arising out of collision on an interstate between tractor trailer and minivan. The representation included the trial of minor child’s claims for traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting in significant permanent injury.
Successfully prosecuted claims of breach of contract and fraud on behalf of bank after it successfully foreclosed on collateral pledged by debtor which included a minority stake in a privately held family business. The majority owners had attempted to block the redemption of the stock at the fair and agreed value.
Secured voluntary dismissal for defendant after plaintiff’s expert admitted his opinion – that the cause of a house fire was our client’s component part – was unsupported by the evidence.
Represented recreational boat component part manufacturer in wrongful death action tried out of state which arose from carbon monoxide poisonings allegedly caused by defects in design in which jury was asked to award over $200 million.
Achieved a unanimous defense verdict for manufacturer of exercise equipment in product liability action arising out of commercial structure fire.
Defended product liability cases involving battery technologies such as lithium-ion, lead-acid and nickel–cadmium (NiCd) in which products were alleged causes of fires and acid burns.
Obtained a defense verdict for medical device manufacturer in jury trial in Kansas City, Missouri, against allegations of design and warnings defects leading to permanent injuries.
Achieved dismissal of tractor manufacturer in wrongful death claims allegedly caused by failure of equipment to include roll over protection system (ROPS).
Extensive defending manufacturers and sellers in cases involving toxic exposures to acids, benzene, asbestos, carbon monoxide, heavy metals and other chemicals.
Recovered nearly all amounts claimed in breach of contract claim arising out of an asset sale in which the buyer failed to pay the agreed purchase price for the assets of a chemical manufacturer.
Obtained summary judgment in contract dispute between retail business owners arising out of a terminable-at-will royalty agreement.
Obtained temporary restraining order on behalf of chemical manufacturer and against key employee of distributor resulting in prompt resolution of misappropriation of trade secrets case.
Obtained summary judgment in federal court for manufacturer sued by supplier alleging breach of a requirements contract for component parts and damages exceeding $1 million.
Represented conveyor manufacturer in multimillion dollar contractual indemnity claim arising out of failure of material handling equipment.