Scott Sell

Scott Sell was born in Minnesota in 1980. Early in his life, Scott worked in the building trades and as a foundryman at a production bronze foundry. He graduated from Marlboro College in Marlboro, Vermont with High Honors after attending with a scholarship for the study of social justice. Between college and law school he worked as an outreach worker for people experiencing mental illness and homelessness.

Scott attended Willamette College of Law in Salem, Oregon on a Merit Scholarship. During law school, Scott worked in the disability section of Thomas, Coon, Newton and Frost and represented the state as a clerk for the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office.

Scott graduated law school Magna Cum Laude.

Before returning to Thomas, Coon, Newton, and Frost, Scott served as the Senior Clerk for the Honorable James C. Egan, the Chief Judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals.

Among other publications, Scott is a co-author of the disability insurance section of the Oregon State Bar treatise, Insurance Law in Oregon. Scott is the co-chair of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association disability section.

Scott exclusively represents disabled people seeking long-term disability benefits from private insurance companies and the Social Security Administration. Scott has successfully represented hundreds of disabled people in administrative hearings and federal court actions. He works with clients at all stages of the disability process – from initial application for benefits through oral arguments to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Scott lives in Southeast Portland with his wife, two children, and dog. He is a committed bicycle commuter.

Practice area focus:
Scott represents disabled people seeking long-term disability benefits (LTD) from private insurance companies and disability benefits (SSI and SSDI) from the Social Security Administration.

Partner — January 2022