Secrest Wardle Executive Partner Serves on Oakland Bar Committee

Secrest Wardle Executive Partner, Margaret Scott, was recently appointed as Vice Chair of the Oakland County Bar Association’s Criminal Law Committee. The Criminal Law Committee is charged with the advancement of the criminal law system in both district and circuit courts. It also coordinates the popular Criminal Brown Bag seminar series. Committee members meet once a month to discuss court operations and legal issues of interest, to exchange articles and new case law and to review courtroom strategies.

Margaret Scott is a member of Secrest Wardle’s Motor Vehicle Litigation, Municipal and Property, Fire and Casualty Practice Groups. Ms. Scott served as an Oakland County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney from 1988 to 2008. The majority of her career was spent as a Special Prosecutor of the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office where she was elevated to the office of Chief of the Auto Theft Unit in 1996. As a felony trial prosecutor, Ms. Scott prosecuted crimes involving insurance fraud, identity theft, embezzlement and arson of insured property. During her time with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, she successfully prosecuted nearly 100% of the cases assigned to the Auto Theft Unit.

Ms. Scott was named to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Class of 2015 “Women in the Law.” Honorees are recognized for the meaningful and inspiring contributions they have made to the legal community. She is a member of the North Central Regional Chapter-International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, Michigan Chapter-International Association of Arson Investigators and a former member of the Michigan Help Eliminate Auto Theft Committee. Ms. Scott is past Chair of the Michigan Anti-Car Theft Campaign Committee. She has also served as Chair of the Michigan Arson Prevention Committee's Governmental Resource Committee. During her years of service to the People of the State of Michigan, Ms. Scott testified before the Michigan State Senate and House on various proposed legislation involving auto theft and insurance fraud.

Margaret Scott currently serves on the Women Officials Network (WON) Board of Directors. WON envisions more women in leadership positions at all levels of government. The organization empowers the leaders of today and mentors women leaders of tomorrow while encouraging women to become involved in public policy through elected and appointed office. Ms. Scott was also appointed to the DMC (Detroit Medical Center) Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Advisory Board in 2018. The 14 member Hospital Advisory Board reports to the DMC Board who reports to the Tenet Board. Their mission is to help people live happier, healthier lives. She has practiced insurance defense litigation since 2009 as private counsel for various companies. During this time, she defended claims involving automobile and structure arson fires, No-Fault PIP, third party and uninsured motorists.

Secrest Wardle is a law firm specializing in defense litigation and counsel for insurance, municipal and commercial clients headquartered in Troy, Michigan, with additional offices in Grand Rapids and Lansing. For additional information, please visit www.secrestwardle.com.