Rick Scott

Rick W. Scott is a lifelong North Carolinian who is focusing his law practice at Hardison & Cochran on civil litigation on behalf of people who have been injured.

He attended North Carolina State University, where he was a member of the varsity swim team for all four years and served as captain for two. Initially interested in a law-enforcement career, Scott paired his political science major with a minor in criminology, receiving his B.A. in 2006.

He attended Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law and served internships in the district attorney’s offices in Chatham and Sampson counties. Over time, his interest shifted from law enforcement to civil litigation. After he received his J.D. in 2009, he took a job with a general practice firm in Brunswick County where he got a chance to get into court regularly and develop his litigation skills.

After four years, he joined a law firm in Winston-Salem in order to be closer to home and narrowed his practice area to civil litigation and family law. He also gained valuable experience defending insurance companies during his time in Winston-Salem. In 2017, he joined Hardison & Cochran, where he is concentrating solely on civil litigation, handling cases involving personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, and mass torts. In 2024, Scott was named a partner at Hardison & Cochran.

“You have to prepare,” he says. “The more you prepare, the better you are on your feet and the better you can react to anything that a judge or other attorney might throw your way.”

He is getting plenty of opportunity to be in court. Asked to explain what it is about trying cases that appeals to him, Scott admits that he enjoys the competitive aspect of matching wits with opposing counsel. But the secret to success, he says, is a bit less glamorous.

In addition, Scott finds his work to be gratifying in another way.

“People don’t come to an attorney unless they need help, and I enjoy being able to help them and hopefully make their lives a little better,” he said. “In some cases, it might not be possible to get our clients back to a hundred percent of where they were before, but no matter the case or the client we do whatever we can to help them.”

Away from work, Scott enjoys being active. He still likes to swim and also keeps fit by running and hiking. He and his wife, Jessica, are fond of going to the beach and lake with their two dogs.