Blue Ocean Global Technology Interviews Mark Scott | Litigation Shareholder at Buchalter

Blue Ocean: Tell us a bit about yourself.

Mark: My name is Mark Scott, and I live in California. I am 60 years old, a graduate of the University of Southern California Law School, I have a wife and two children, and I’ve had one job since October 4, 1988. I work for the Buchalter Law Firm, which has given me pretty much everything I have. I’m very happy to have been at this law firm and married to my wife for such a long time. I hope that my two children will successfully make their way through life.

Blue Ocean: What are your most important life values, and how have they shaped the progression of your career?

Mark: I am fortunate to have had one job throughout my career, which has presented many opportunities for me. My parents taught me to have my priorities straight, which has helped me weave my way through different life phases. This includes God and family, doing the best that you can, and knowing that work isn’t everything. What matters the most to me is being a good person, getting the most out of life, and appreciating life as a gift that is not to be wasted. I have spent my entire career trying to achieve balance and not let work get out of control — something I have failed at many times and paid a price for. As I’ve grown older, I have realized that the material things in life don’t matter, and my parents were right about prioritizing the important things. 

Blue Ocean: What does your typical day look like?

Mark: Have you ever watched the movie Gladiator? Picture the opening scene with Russell Crowe, where they’re all gathered in the Coliseum, ready to fight whatever comes through the door. Russell Crowe tells the group that whatever comes through that door, they’ll be better off if they stick together. As the door swings open, chariots race out, people brandishing spears fill the arena, and there’s a cacophony of yells and screams. That’s what my day looks like, starting at nine o’clock. I have my agenda, and then there’s everyone else’s agenda for me—so, a typical day for me involves a sea of Post-it notes as I usually need to prioritize and shuffle tasks constantly. Some things have to be tackled on specific days, and at times, I just have to shut out the world and focus on those tasks. I strive to balance a mix of small, medium-sized, and big cases.

I don’t believe in waiting for a day and a half to get back to people; communication is key. I make it a point to answer phone calls promptly and respond to emails immediately, even if it’s just to acknowledge receipt and promise a more detailed response soon. My day is dedicated to assisting others, all the while understanding that doing a good job on each task is the foundation for success, whether it’s at the law firm, with clients, or in other aspects of life.

Blue Ocean: Tell us about the evolution of your legal career and Buchalter as a law firm.

Mark: The Buchalter firm has been around since about 1947. I’m the fourth out of seven generations of lawyers there. The firm has always been in California and, for the most part, has specialized in financial institutions. But now we have expanded into a broad specialty-type law firm with offices in Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and all over California. I started working in the Los Angeles office. Like all lawyers, I mostly learned only skills and definitions in law school.  We learn the job when we start practicing law. What you hope to bring into the practice of law, at least in my experience, is a work ethic, flexibility, a thirst for knowledge, and a willingness to learn. When I started practicing law, I did not take it as a given that I could maintain a job, succeed in a career, and provide for my family. So, I don’t take my success for granted. 

I still approach things year by year, hoping to have a job and a salary in the upcoming year. I’ve had this mindset throughout my journey, and it’s the same philosophy I impart to my associates today. During the initial three years of your legal career, you should be primarily focused on mastering the practice of law. From the fourth to the sixth year, you start delving into substantive matters, honing client development skills, and bringing it all together. In the subsequent seven to nine years, you assume more leadership roles in cases, gain confidence, and cultivate client relationships.

I was fortunate to inherit some clients and serendipitously meet others at the right moments. Along the way, I learned that every lawyer follows a unique path to success, each with their own method of acquiring clients. Mine doesn’t involve impressing people at cocktail parties or charming large crowds. Instead, it’s about having a dedicated one-on-one work ethic, promptly responding to calls, delivering exceptional service to clients, and nurturing those connections over time.

For me, the turning point in my legal and business success was when I embraced authenticity, incorporating my personality into my work whenever possible rather than conforming to society’s expectations of what a lawyer should be. For instance, my office is not adorned with dog pictures, hunting trophies, or diplomas. It’s filled with items that bring me joy and help me stay true to the person I aspire to be rather than letting the legal profession dominate my identity.

Blue Ocean: How has your law firm differentiated itself, and what underpins its success?

Mark: I’m one of the 400 attorneys at our law firm. We have good management and a fair and transparent compensation plan. We know the benefits of embracing technology, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The central management of the law firm allows everyone to be themselves and work flexibly. So, the law firm’s success is in its ability to adapt over the years to the changing times and be ahead of the curve. We have a collaborative culture where everyone uses their unique strengths to help others and keep the wheels moving.

Another factor is that our law firm is seamless from office to office, and we don’t measure our statistics by office. We view ourselves as one law firm. In short, I think our longevity and success are attributed to the people and the organizational structure.

Blue Ocean: What is something unique you offer to your clients?

Mark: Proactive and clear communication. I answer calls and emails promptly. I also understand the people I work with in the trenches at my clients’ workplaces. Part of my job is to help them do their work well. I go beyond just reporting events. I help clients make decisions and ensure they know what to expect regarding costs. I keep them updated on how things are going. If there are any changes or cost increases, I discuss them with the client. I know the money they spend at our law firm, and I treat it like it’s my own.

I never take clients for granted. I work hard to achieve their goals. Some people talk a big game, but I believe actions speak louder than words. I back up my words with hard work. I often handle multiple cases for clients and treat each one seriously. Trials are tough and stressful. I might not be the flashiest trial lawyer, but I’m a dedicated litigator who can handle trials well.

Blue Ocean: What is the most memorable moment of your career at Buchalter?

Mark: My 2016 jury trial victory that lasted seven weeks in a city located far away from home. It was a high-stakes case, where I had to oversee 20 witnesses and the jurors. It was a challenging experience, and looking back, it likely contributed to a heart attack I suffered four and a half months later. Simultaneously, I was engaged in another case, and after presenting our closing arguments, I could not stay to wait for the jury’s decision. I had other lawyers on the case who remained at the courthouse for any potential questions from the jury or the court itself.

I received a phone call in my office later with the news that we had won. It was an incredibly gratifying moment. My partner, whose client it was, gifted me a set of specially engraved coins as a token of appreciation for delivering the victory. The client had invested approximately $3 million in legal fees, and knowing we had successfully achieved their objectives was immensely rewarding. It also boosted my confidence in my abilities as an attorney, which I only fully embraced two decades later.

Blue Ocean: What is the most challenging aspect of your career?

Mark: In the legal profession, conducting trials, particularly jury trials, is among the most challenging tasks. Tasks like handling appeals, filing legal documents, and conducting research seem comparatively straightforward. However, putting everything on the line, prioritizing a single case above all others, and successfully navigating the intricacies of a high-stakes trial is a unique and rewarding experience. Having the support and understanding of my other clients during such periods and knowing they recognize the importance of the work being done is satisfying.

Seeing everything come together in a trial and achieving the desired outcome is a remarkable feeling. The work we put in for each trial underscores the difficulty of being a litigator and a trial lawyer. It’s a demanding profession filled with highs and lows, and it’s essential to recognize that not every case ends in victory. Learning to handle both successes and setbacks gracefully is a crucial aspect of the job. In this context, I always remember my mother’s advice: “Don’t let the highs get you too high and the lows too low.”

Blue Ocean: What is something you’re grateful for?

Mark: I’m incredibly grateful for my wife and parents. My life has been filled with good fortune, from my education to my career, children, and more. I’ve always believed that even when things don’t go as planned, there’s a reason, and everything works out in the end. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized how precious life is, and I’ve cherished every moment. The lyrics of a Rolling Stones song have always resonated with me, reminding me not to let time slip away. My wife has always been a source of love and support, especially during my heart attack in 2016, which showed me her unwavering care again. I am also grateful for the remarkable achievements of USC Trojan football, including eleven national championships and eight Heisman trophy wins.

Blue Ocean: Outside of work, what passion or interests do you pursue?

Mark: I love history and traveling. I look forward to our family vacations every year, which I put on my calendar to motivate me and serve as a light at the end of the tunnel. Most of the vacations usually entail some degree of exploring history. I also have a habit of collecting Roman coins and medieval hammered coinage as it brings me closer to history. It’s neat when you have a 2000-year-old coin that Caesar might have had or a hammered coinage that has King Henry VIII’s likeness on it. I am also a classic music fan and love the history of rock and roll music. My four favorite bands are KISS, Blue Oyster Cult, The Doors, and the Allman Brothers Band. Listening to them relaxes me. My biggest passion, though, is USC football, where I went to school and met my wife. These are the kinds of things that make me excited. I attend many shows and concerts, and I’m grateful that I get to have these experiences and meet different people while at it. 

Lately, I find giving back to my law firm through mentoring young lawyers rewarding. Outside law, I devote a lot of time to the Boy Scouts, where I served as a scoutmaster and have stayed involved with the troop. Helping children over the years has brought me a lot of joy and pride. It has also brought me closer to the person I hope to be.

Blue Ocean: What is your advice to law students and young professionals entering careers as lawyers?

Mark: As a young lawyer, you must learn to be a good writer, pay attention to detail, and communicate. Try to develop court awareness as soon as you can. It is also important to take responsibility and own up to your actions, no matter their results. Do not hesitate to ask for help from the people around you when in need. 

Also, don’t be afraid to fail; focus on doing your best and understand that it’s a journey. If it were easy, anybody could do it. It helps if you like and enjoy what you do but know that you’re not always going to be happy or get what you want. Find your ideal niche. For instance, if you hate competition and losing and can’t handle stress, don’t be a litigator. An in-house position might fit you better. Finally, don’t come into the practice of law thinking you know everything. You don’t know anything when you come out of law school. So, just work hard.