Scott Key

Owner, Attorney

Scott Key is an attorney with extensive experience handling complex and high-stakes cases. His legal career has been shaped by a commitment to tackling difficult challenges and making a meaningful impact.

After earning his degree from Georgia State University College of Law, Scott gained hands-on experience through internships in criminal defense, medical malpractice, and personal injury law. In his third year, he authored a brief that successfully overturned a murder conviction on appeal – an early milestone that solidified his dedication to appellate work. Scott built his reputation as a skilled litigator and writer, arguing cases before the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Georgia, the 11th Circuit of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. His thorough approach and effective advocacy have earned the trust of clients and colleagues alike.

In 2000, he founded his own practice and became active in the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL), serving in several leadership roles, including President. In 2012, he was appointed to the Amicus Curiae Committee, contributing to precedent-setting cases and advancing appellate advocacy in Georgia.

Today, Scott focuses heavily on governmental and insurance defense cases, which include § 1983 actions and addressing immunity, regulatory, and compliance concerns in both trial and appellate courts. While he handles other complex matters, he also works as a consultant or co-counsel, collaborating with other lawyers on significant legal challenges.

Beyond his practice, Scott is committed to mentoring the next generation of attorneys. As an adjunct professor at Mercer University School of Law, he has taught classes on appellate practice, habeas corpus, public defense, and advanced legal writing. He is active with Mercer’s advocacy teams in both moot court and mock trial, helping students develop advocacy and legal writing skills.

Scott’s work has earned him recognition in the Fulton Daily Report’s “On the Rise” list of top lawyers under 40 and multiple selections in Super Lawyers. He is a frequent speaker on appellate and trial practice, contributing to legal education and professional development. Through his work, Scott remains focused on advocating for his clients, contributing to the legal profession, and shaping the next generation of attorneys.

Education:
Mercer University, B.A., Summa Cum Laude, 1995
Emory University, M.Div., Summa Cum Laude, 1998
Georgia State University College of Law, J.D, 2001

Key Practice Areas:
Governmental Defense
Insurance Defense
Embedded Counsel
Contracts Appeals
Domestic Appeals
Complex Criminal Appeals

Courts Admitted:

Associations:
Atlanta Lawyers Club, Member
Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Former President
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Member
Henry County Bar Association, Member
William A. Bootle Inn of Court, Member
State Bar of Georgia, Appellate Practice Section, Member
State Bar of Georgia, Insurance Law Section, Member
State Bar of Georgia, Government Attorneys Section, Member
State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section, Member

Publications:

J. Scott Key & Hon. Jill Pryor, LexisNexis Trial Guide: Georgia Civil Trial Procedure, LexisNexis 2011-2012 Ed.

J. Scott Key, Criminal Law, 73 Mercer L. Rev. 75 (2021)

J. Scott Key, Criminal Law, 74 Mercer L. Rev. 93 (2022).

J. Scott Key, Criminal Law, 75 Mercer L. Rev. 139 (2023).

J. Scott Key, Tort Law, 76 Mercer L. Rev. 19 (2024).

Scott Key

Owner, Attorney

Scott Key is an attorney with extensive experience handling complex and high-stakes cases. His legal career has been shaped by a commitment to tackling difficult challenges and making a meaningful impact.

After earning his degree from Georgia State University College of Law, Scott gained hands-on experience through internships in criminal defense, medical malpractice, and personal injury law. In his third year, he authored a brief that successfully overturned a murder conviction on appeal – an early milestone that solidified his dedication to appellate work. Scott built his reputation as a skilled litigator and writer, arguing cases before the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Georgia, the 11th Circuit of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. His thorough approach and effective advocacy have earned the trust of clients and colleagues alike.

In 2000, he founded his own practice and became active in the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL), serving in several leadership roles, including President. In 2012, he was appointed to the Amicus Curiae Committee, contributing to precedent-setting cases and advancing appellate advocacy in Georgia.

Today, Scott focuses heavily on governmental and insurance defense cases, which include § 1983 actions and addressing immunity, regulatory, and compliance concerns in both trial and appellate courts. While he handles other complex matters, he also works as a consultant or co-counsel, collaborating with other lawyers on significant legal challenges.

Beyond his practice, Scott is committed to mentoring the next generation of attorneys. As an adjunct professor at Mercer University School of Law, he has taught classes on appellate practice, habeas corpus, public defense, and advanced legal writing. He is active with Mercer’s advocacy teams in both moot court and mock trial, helping students develop advocacy and legal writing skills.

Scott’s work has earned him recognition in the Fulton Daily Report’s “On the Rise” list of top lawyers under 40 and multiple selections in Super Lawyers. He is a frequent speaker on appellate and trial practice, contributing to legal education and professional development. Through his work, Scott remains focused on advocating for his clients, contributing to the legal profession, and shaping the next generation of attorneys.

Education:
Mercer University, B.A., Summa Cum Laude, 1995
Emory University, M.Div., Summa Cum Laude, 1998
Georgia State University College of Law, J.D, 2001

Key Practice Areas:
Governmental Defense
Insurance Defense
Embedded Counsel
Contracts Appeals
Domestic Appeals
Complex Criminal Appeals

Courts Admitted:

Associations:
Atlanta Lawyers Club, Member
Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Former President
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Member
Henry County Bar Association, Member
William A. Bootle Inn of Court, Member
State Bar of Georgia, Appellate Practice Section, Member
State Bar of Georgia, Insurance Law Section, Member
State Bar of Georgia, Government Attorneys Section, Member
State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section, Member

Publications:

  • J. Scott Key & Hon. Jill Pryor, LexisNexis Trial Guide: Georgia Civil Trial Procedure, LexisNexis 2011-2012 Ed.
  • J. Scott Key, Criminal Law, 73 Mercer L. Rev. 75 (2021)
  • J. Scott Key, Criminal Law, 74 Mercer L. Rev. 93 (2022).
  • J. Scott Key, Criminal Law, 75 Mercer L. Rev. 139 (2023).
  • J. Scott Key, Tort Law, 76 Mercer L. Rev. 19 (2024).