Overview
Scott Nemanich has a diverse legal practice with significant experience in the areas of school law, township law, government relations, estate planning, real estate and taxation, as well as corporate transactional matters. Much of Scott’s work involves representing individuals as well as various units of local government, including schools, townships, park districts and municipalities. He is recognized by school districts around the country for his vast experience in Section 8002 funding for federally impacted school districts.
Scott also handles various labor and personnel matters, including unfair labor practices, grievances and collective bargaining. He has negotiated contracts with the Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Fireman & Oilers Union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and Service Employees International Union. Scott is a registered lobbyist, representing clientele before both the state legislature and the U.S. Congress. He represents homeowner associations, handles matters involving tax rate objections and real estate taxation (an area in which he is a recognized expert) and also counsels individual clients in estate planning matters.
In addition, Scott represents business and private clients in corporate matters and estate planning, including the sale and purchase of various businesses. He has also represented a telecommunications company in negotiations with foreign nations, including Belarus, Dijibouti and Tonga.
Scott has also served as a negotiator at both the state and federal levels, and throughout his career he has been known for his ability to break through bureaucratic log jams on behalf of both public and private clientele.
As a former chief prosecutor for the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, Scott once headed the juvenile division and later the civil division of that office. As chief of the juvenile division, Scott handled more cases than any juvenile prosecutor before or since. In addition, an independent study commissioned by the City of Joliet found that juvenile recidivism decreased during the time that he served in that capacity. As chief of the civil division, Scott was the first to successfully prosecute an individual under the drug paraphernalia law of the State of Illinois and was the first to successfully defend a county’s denial of a landfill expansion.
Scott received his J.D. from Northwestern University in 1977 and a B.A., summa cum laude, from Lewis University in 1974. Scott is admitted to practice in Illinois, having been sworn in by Justice John Paul Stevens of United States Supreme Court in 1977.
Professional Affiliations
- Scott is a member of the Illinois Local Government Lawyers Association, Illinois State Bar Association, the DuPage County Bar Association’s Local Government, Civil Law & Practice and Real Estate Law Committees.
Community Involvement
- Scott is a former Vice President of the Lewis University Alumni Association and the Plainfield Area Jaycees. He is also a former member of the Troy Township Planning Commission.
Awards and Recognition
- Scott has been named a Leading Lawyer by Law Bulletin Media, a peer-recommended distinction awarded to fewer than 5% of attorneys in Illinois.
Publications
- Federal Government Issues Guidance to Schools on Title IX and Transgender Students, Internal Newsletter – May 19, 2016
- The Report Card – February 2013
- Estate Planning Newsletter – December 2011
- The Report Card – September 2011
Presentations
- “Legal Issues Surrounding Student Discipline,” National Business Institute seminar, 2015
- “Avoiding School Liability While Working with Students,” Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois, February 2006
- “Student Suspension and Expulsion for Extraordinary Misconduct,” National Business Institute seminar
- “The Defense of Tax Rate Objections,” Will County School Business Officials Association
- “Understanding Tax Objections,” Will County School Business Officials Association