Veteran HHS Lawyer Scott S. Driggs Joins Snell & Wilmer’s Denver Office as Counsel

DENVER – Snell & Wilmer is pleased to announce that Scott S. Driggs has joined the firm’s Denver office as counsel in the Special Litigation and Compliance practice group. Driggs brings more than three decades of practice and leadership experience across federal health law, complex regulatory enforcement, and military service. Licensed to practice law in Utah. Colorado practice is temporarily authorized pending admission under C.R.C.P. 205.6.

Driggs joins the firm from the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where he served as Assistant Regional Counsel from 2003-2011 before stepping into the role of Chief Counsel. In that capacity, he provided legal services to more than a dozen federal health agencies across the western United States. He advised on matters including Medicare and Medicaid enforcement, HIPAA, Indian law, the False Claims Act, employment law, contracts, medical malpractice defense, ethics, bankruptcy, and civil rights. He also served as the primary legal advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

“Scott is an exceptional attorney whose decades-long experience in health law, regulatory compliance, and litigation will significantly strengthen our capabilities firmwide,” said Brett Johnson, Chair of the Special Litigation and Compliance Practice Group. “His significant public service at U.S. Health and Human Services and the U.S. Air Force makes him an incredible resource for our clients navigating not only complex regulatory environments, but also the insight from the regulators as to real world implementation.”

At Snell & Wilmer, Driggs will advise health care providers and health-related businesses on issues ranging from regulatory compliance to litigation across all sectors of government. His experience will benefit clients who regularly interact with federal agencies and operate within their complex regulatory frameworks.

“It was an honor to spend the past three decades advising senior leaders in the armed forces and a cabinet-level federal agency,” Driggs said. “I am now looking forward to the opportunity to help clients navigate the complexities of government policy and regulation from a new vantage point. Snell & Wilmer offers the ideal environment to do that—an office that values camaraderie, collaboration, and a sense of mission, just like I experienced in the Air Force.”

In 2024, Driggs retired from the U.S. Air Force at the rank of Colonel (O-6) after 30 years of combined active duty and reserve service. His leadership included supporting the U.S. Space Force training command, overseeing legal matters for logistics operations involving 26,000 personnel, advising on multimillion-dollar contract claims, and providing critical guidance during major national emergency events such as natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Driggs earned his J.D. from the College of Law at the University of Utah and his B.A. from Brigham Young University. His military recognition includes the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, multiple Air Force Meritorious Service medals, and multiple Air Force Commendation Medals.