For the first time in his career, Arthur G. Scotland, is entering into private practice. Scotland was the head of the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Sacramento, working as the court’s presiding justice for 12 years. Scotland retired back in 2010 after serving for 23 years on the appellate court. It was announced earlier this week that Scotland has joined the law firm of Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni LLP in Sacramento. Scotland will work part-time as ‘of counsel.’
“I found that I’m not the type of person who can simply ride off into the sunset,” Scotland said. “I will still have the time to do the family things I want to do, yet be able to continue to be involved in government and public policy issues.”
Steve Merksamer, the law firm’s senior government law partner, said that Scotland will primarily be working in the government section of the firm. Scotland will aid the political and litigation sections of the firm every so often. “Justice Scotland is highly regarded for his political expertise and exemplary work as a judge presiding over many complex and landmark civil and criminal cases. He will be a tremendous addition to our firm.”
Scotland graduated from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Scotland has worked as a deputy district attorney in Sacramento, a state’s deputy attorney general, and a Cabinet member for Governor George Deukmejian. Deukmejian appointed Scotland to the Sacramento Superior Court in 1987 and then appointed him to the 3rd District in 1989.
After retiring in 2010, Scotland represented leaders from the legislature in a lawsuit filed against the state’s controller. The lawsuit was centered around who has the authority to determine whether or not a budget bill meets standards set by the constitution.
“The suit got my juices flowing again,” he said. “I was ready for a little more action, and I’m looking forward to the breadth of issues Nielsen Merksamer handles.”