R. Craig Scott
Founder & Managing Partner
One thing the thousands of executives he has represented like best about R. Craig Scott, is where he comes from professionally. Mr. Scott is uniquely qualified to represent executives because of his over forty years representing employers. Mr. Scott understands how employers typically deal with executives' employment issues. And from that understanding, he has developed techniques and strategies to assist executives to cut the best deals possible, whether they are moving into, or out of, an employment situation.
Mr. Scott's success in the representation of executives lead to his being named "Lawyer of the Year," in both 2013 and 2019, by Best Lawyers® for Employment Law-Individuals, Orange County.
Further evidence of Mr. Scott's distinguished career is found in the annual Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.) survey in which his peers have recognized him as one of California's top labor and employment law attorneys every year since 1996. For many years, Mr. Scott has held the highest distinction of being "AV Preeminent®" Rated by his peers, for legal ability and ethical standards.
Prior to establishing the management-side employment law firm of Scott & Whitehead in 1993, Mr. Scott was the partner leading the Orange County, California employment law practice of the 260 attorney law firm of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton and, later, of the 50 attorney law firm of Pettis, Tester, Kruse & Krinsky.
For over five years, Mr. Scott authored a regular column, "Employment Law," in the Orange County Business Journal. He has published over 75 columns and articles on labor and employment law issues for publications including the Orange County Employer Advisory Council's Advisor, Business-to-Business, Long Beach Business Journal, Personnel Administrator and Small Business Report. He is the author or co-author of five books on employment law, including his Severance Agreements: 6 Steps™ To A Better Deal.
In addition to his professional achievements, Mr. Scott takes pride in his involvement in community affairs within his city of residence, Laguna Hills, California. Mr. Scott served four terms as Mayor, and 19 years on the City Council. He was twice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Orange County Fire Authority, and its Executive Committee.
Mr. Scott graduated from the University of Utah's College of Law, where he received his J.D. Degree in 1978. He was a Member (1976-1977) and Articles Editor (1977-1978) of the Utah Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif.
Brian E. Cole
Partner
Mr. Cole joined Executive Law Group as a partner in 2003.
Mr. Cole served as Vice President and General Counsel for BAX Global, a major international transportation and logistics company, prior to becoming a partner at Executive Law Group. Mr. Cole has also served as in-house counsel to Federated Department Stores and Downey Savings & Loan.
Mr. Cole has been named a Southern California Super Lawyer by Los Angeles Magazine and has testified in front of Congress on behalf of the aviation industry.
In his nearly 40 years of practice, Mr. Cole has had extensive experience representing management in labor and employment matters in the United States and internationally. He has regularly appeared before state and federal agencies in employment disputes and has successfully represented management in wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and discrimination cases, and defended employers in wage and hour class actions.
In addition to his employment law practice, Mr. Cole handles corporate and business law matters.
Mr. Cole's corporate and business practice has included representing numerous domestic and international corporations in the areas of contracts, executive compensation, unfair competition, protection of confidential information, facility lease review and purchase/sale agreements. Mr. Cole has been a Board of Directors member and officer of several international corporations.
Mr. Cole graduated from Whittier College School of Law, where he received his J.D. degree in 1981. Mr. Cole received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Redlands in 1974. Mr. Cole was also a graduate candidate at Harvard University.
Brittany Melling
Administrator
Ms. Melling is the first point of contact for the engagement of Executive Law Group's services.
She checks for possible conflicts of interest, and works with prospective clients to gather the necessary documents before promptly scheduling a call with an ELG attorney.
Ms. Melling's ability to help executives and professionals immediately identify and evaluate their legal requirements, significantly streamlines the entire consultation process.
Ms. Melling is an attorney licensed in the District of Columbia and Utah.