Scott J. Aldworth

With a focus on employment law and civil rights law, Scott Aldworth assists his clients in navigating a variety of employment matters, including wage and hour disputes, discipline, discrimination, harassment and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complaints. The practice of law, he believes, is an excellent tool for providing assistance to those in need. “I wanted a career where I could help people on a day-to-day basis. People only come to attorneys when they have a big problem that they are unable to solve on their own—and workplace issues can be among the most stressful." For too many of us, he adds, legal rights often get lost in translation. “The sad fact is that the legal process is confusing; the average person practically needs to speak another language to exercise their most basic legal rights," he said. "I enjoy being able to help clients through that process and working with them to figure out the best solution to their problem."

His civil rights practice also concentrates on assisting clients with challenging discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, race, color, or disability, including claims brought under the ADA and Fair Housing Act. Scott understands and meets his clients’ need to have a strong and competent civil rights attorney on their side if they have been the victim of a civil rights violation.

His practice also involves general civil litigation, including contract disputes and business litigation, on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants. Further, in 2012, he launched the firm's immigration practice, with a focus on employer immigration issues and the acquisition of employment-based visas.

Scott graduated magna cum laude from Lewis & Clark Law School, after serving as a teaching assistant in the legal writing program and an Articles Editor for the Lewis & Clark Law Review. He joined Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P. as a law clerk after his second year of law school. "I was attracted to this firm because of its deep roots in Portland and its ability to maintain such a great reputation throughout its long history," he said. "I also like that it has the resources of a mid-size firm, but a plaintiff-oriented approach that is more typical of a small firm."

When not working, Scott spends most of his free time with his partner and his two children. He's making sure to pass on to his youngsters his love of travel. "We went camping in the Caribbean last year, no mean feat with two small children.