Biography

David H. Scott is a Teaching Assistant Professor for the Institute of American Civics in the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He specializes in constitutional law, civil rights and liberties, judicial process, American politics, and political philosophy. Scott’s scholarly contributions include published research on the role and influence of amicus curiae briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court, and he has presented his work at national political science conferences. His professional background also includes service as a licensed attorney and mediator, with training in dispute resolution from Pepperdine University. 

Scott earned his J.D. and a master’s degree in dispute resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law, followed by a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Tennessee. He has been recognized for both academic and teaching excellence, receiving honors such as the Otis Stephens Fellowship in Public Law and the CALI Excellence for the Future Award. Beyond the classroom, Scott has served as a faculty mentor for high-achieving undergraduate scholars, delivered invited lectures on constitutional interpretation and civil liberties, and contributed to public discourse on American law and politics. 

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Education

• B.A., Philosophy, Lipscomb University
• M.A., Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law
• J.D., Pepperdine University School of Law
• Ph.D., Political Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

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Publications

Assessing the Influence of Amicus Curiae Briefs on the Roberts Court

The Influence of the Solicitor General as Amicus Curiae on the Roberts Court