Timothy A. Scott

McKenzie Scott is a boutique firm of distinguished trial lawyers. We are selective in our practice focusing on defending people against serious, typically white collar, criminal allegations and holding government agencies responsible for violations of civil rights. We combine proactive pre-litigation investigation, cutting-edge motions practice, and tireless case preparation with an orientation towards stopping charges before they are filed, winning short of trial whenever possible, and skillfully and aggressively defending our clients at jury trial when necessary. The firm also maintains an active appellate practice, fighting for clients before the Circuit Courts of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court.

Rather than selectively sharing only a good result or two, we choose to post every trial we’ve ever had­­­­­­­­ – win, lose or draw – on our website. That keeps us accountable, and it keeps clients informed when deciding who to trust with their future. The results speak for themselves.

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Tim Scott is one of the nation’s premier trial and criminal defense attorneys.

Mr. Scott maintains a vigorous trial practice, with approximately 60 civil and criminal jury trials to his credit. Mr. Scott is consistently ranked by peers as a “San Diego Super Lawyer,” and “Southern California Super Lawyer” for both trial-court and appellate categories. He is the rare advocate who combines the skills of an accomplished trial lawyer, appellate attorney, and legal scholar.

Mr. Scott’s mastery of federal criminal law has led to his co-authorship with a sitting federal district judge of The Ninth Circuit Criminal Handbook (Lexis-Nexis/Matthew Bender). This restatement of criminal law is relied upon by practitioners and judges alike and includes a Forward from the Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit. Mr. Scott also contributed the Fourth-Amendment chapter to the 2010 edition of the nationally renowned treatise, Defending a Federal Criminal Case.

Mr. Scott graduated from Stanford Law School in 2000 and received his undergraduate degree from Whitworth College in 1997 summa cum laude. He began his career as a trial attorney with Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. before starting what has now become McKenzie & Scott nearly 20 years ago.

Some recent trial court victories include:

People v. a Client (2022 - client released and no charges filed after arrest for attempted murder);

People v. a Client (2022 –agreement to dismiss indictment alleging multimillion dollar fraud scheme after pretrial motions granted);

Clients v. San Diego County et al., 15cv2692 (2022 - $85 million jury verdict for client based on constitutional violations and wrongful death);

United States v. a Client, 21cr3512 (2021 - defense investigation led to dismissal of charge for cross-border trafficking methamphetamine);

​United States v. a Client (2021 - charge for trafficking 1,000 lbs of drugs dismissed after pretrial motions filed);

United States v. a Client, 17cr444 (2020 - alleged theft of trade secrets by scientist; not guilty of all 20 counts);

United States v. a Client, 13cr0885 (2020 - acquittal on 16 of 19 charges in federal fraud case, remainder dismissed after successful appeal);

United States v. a Client, 19cr1879 (2019 - drug-importation charges with alleged confession, not guilty on all charges);

United States v. a Client, 17CR103 (2018 - Federal drug and counterfeit indictment dismissed and finding of Brady violation by prosecutors);

People v. a Client, SWF1700598 (2017 - assault with firearm, not guilty all felony charges);

United States v. a Client, 17cr192 (2017 - charges for trafficking 1,000 pounds of controlled substances dismissed after pretrial motions);

United States v. a Client, 14cr192 (2016 - solicitation to murder federal judge, hung jury);

United States v. a Client, 08cr1094 (2015 - acquittal on all charges in federal health-care fraud prosecution);

Mr. Scott’s success at the Ninth Circuit has been as broad and frequent as his trial court victories, and include:

United States v. Spanier II, 17-50128 (2018) (securities-fraud conviction reversed for jury-instruction error);

United States v. Millan, 15-50445 (2018) (wire-fraud conviction reversed for erroneous admission of expert / summary testimony);

United States v. Garcia, 14-50567 (2016) (government conceded error and dismissed appeal after opening brief filed);

United States v. Spanier I, 14-50306 (2016) (securities-fraud conviction dismissed for Speedy Trial violation, remanded); and

United States v. Johnson, 10-50439 (2012) (reversing federal bank-robbery conviction and twenty-seven-year sentence).

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