At Callahan & Blaine, our talent pool is deep. Each month, we publish our “Attorney Spotlight” where we look past the briefcases to see what makes the men and women of Callahan & Blaine tick. How have we won over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements? It’s a team effort of hard work, dedication, experience and savvy litigation. Today, meet Senior Attorney, Scott Nelson!
The Basics:
Name: Scott Nelson
Position: Senior Attorney
Birth city: San Diego, CA
Current city: Ladera Ranch
Law school: UC Davis
Attorney Q&A:
Q: What attracted you to the legal field?
A: My older sister is an attorney, and from that I understood what a great job it is to be a litigator. My job is to create a compelling narrative that I can convince the factfinder of. This is an exciting process at every stage of litigation, as I am fighting for my clients against an adversary and using the law, the facts, common sense, and ingenuity to achieve the best results.
Q: Was there anyone along the way who mentored or influenced your work?
A: Over my ten years at Callahan & Blaine, I’ve had four class-action trials with Michael Sachs. Those trials last a long time – one went nearly five months. From those cases with Michael I’ve learned how to prepare the most difficult and fact-intensive cases for trial and also to preserve and advocate where necessary before the Court of Appeal. That is a critical skill, as every case should be viewed as one that will eventually end up in front of a jury.
Q: What do you think sets Callahan & Blaine apart from the rest?
A: As you learn from day one – the will to win! That means we will never be outworked, and we will always be the prepared lawyer in the courtroom.
Q: Tell us about a case that you are particularly proud of (or was interesting).
A: I was the lead counsel in an employment discrimination and retaliation case that went to trial against my client in the downtown Los Angeles courthouse. The trial went for three grueling weeks, five days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day. The jury found in my employer client’s favor after only an hour of deliberation. Of course, I was thrilled, but when the jury gave their verdict, one juror, who had immigrated from China, asked to speak to the Court and she tearfully expressed how important it was for her to be a part of this process, as this would never happen in China. Sometimes you need those reminders of how truly important and special our legal system is, and I am lucky to be able to be a part of it.
Q: What are the things you wish you knew as a junior associate that you know now?
A: First, learn to focus on what’s important about a case. You can waste a lot of your precious time and your client’s time and resources fighting over minutiae. Second, treat your team well. There will be many times when you’re depending on other lawyers, paralegals, and your secretary, and it is a great feeling to know they have your back.
Just for fun:
Favorite TV show: Frontline and Veep
Family Facts: My wife, Courtney, and I, met on our first day of law school. We have 3 children, Drew (14), Kate (12), and Mikey (6) who keep us very busy with their sports and school. We have a dog, two cats, and a koi pond (don’t ever get a koi pond).
Guilty Pleasure: Double Doubles.
No. 1 Bucket List Item: There’s a lot of golf courses and trips I’d like to play with my family. Bandon Dunes might be the first dream trip.
Dogs or Cats: I love them both.
Dream vacation: Bora Bora.
Favorite High-Profile Case: I recently watched the HBO Documentary McMillions, and I loved it.
Favorite Fictional Lawyer: Jan Schlictmann, which the book and movie “A Civil Action” are based upon. He’s not a fictional character, but probably romanticized a bit. A Civil Action is a book all aspiring litigators in law school must read. To me, it is the most accurate portrayal of what being a litigator is about, and the dynamics of litigating a class-action lawsuit.
Be sure to check back for next month’s Attorney Spotlight, where we will meet another talented Callahan & Blaine attorney! Our law firm represents corporate, professional and entrepreneurial clients of all sizes. To find out more about our distinctive approach to advocacy and dispute resolution in complex litigation, contact us at the Callahan & Blaine offices in Santa Ana.