Practice areas: Civil Rights, Criminal Defense, Appellate; view more
Licensed in California since: 2001
Education: Stanford Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2024, 2026 - 2027 Call today:
619-738-5139
Free Consultation McKenzie Scott PC
1350 Columbia StreetSuite 600
San Diego, CA 92101 Visit website
As a founding attorney of McKenzie Scott PC in San Diego, California, Tim Scott represents individuals facing complex legal challenges involving criminal allegations, civil rights violations and serious personal injuries. His practice encompasses matters in both state and federal courts, with an emphasis on protecting clients’ rights and holding individuals and institutions accountable for alleged misconduct.
Mr. Scott has experience handling cases involving police misconduct, excessive force, jail injuries and federal criminal charges, as well as white collar offenses such as money laundering, honest services fraud and insurance fraud. He also represents clients in civil litigation arising from automobile and truck accidents, wrongful death cases, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, premises liability, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, product liability and workplace accidents. His work addresses a broad range of legal disputes, from defending individuals against criminal accusations to pursuing claims for those who have suffered harm.
Among his notable courtroom achievements, Mr. Scott served as lead trial counsel in K.J.P. v. San Diego, a case that resulted in an $85 million compensatory damages verdict. The verdict was described as the largest excessive-force verdict in American history, underscoring the significance of the case in litigation involving allegations of police misconduct and civil rights violations.
Mr. Scott earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Whitworth College in 1997 before pursuing his legal education at Stanford Law School, where he received his Juris Doctor in 2000. His academic background provided the foundation for a legal career spanning criminal defense, civil rights litigation and personal injury claims.
Mr. Scott is admitted to practice law in California, Washington and Missouri. His federal court admissions include the U.S. District Courts for the Central, Eastern and Southern Districts of California; the District of North Dakota’s Central District; the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington; and the Eastern and Western Districts of Pennsylvania. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, allowing him to represent clients in qualifying federal appellate matters.
Practice areas
Civil Rights, Criminal Defense, Appellate, Criminal Defense: White Collar, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - Products: PlaintiffFocus areas
Appeals, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Police Misconduct, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Trucking Accidents, White Collar Crime, Wrongful Death
- 10% Civil Rights
- 30% Criminal Defense
- 20% Appellate
- 20% Criminal Defense: White Collar
- 10% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 10% Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 2000, Washington
Professional Webpage: https://mckenziescott.com/team/timothy-scott/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Washington
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
- United States District Court for the Central District of North Dakota
- United States District Court for the Central District of California
- United States District Court for the Southern District of California
- Missouri
- California
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Mr. Scott maintains a vigorous trial practice, with approximately 60 civil and criminal jury trials to his credit. Some recent victories include: United States v. An Individual, 17cr444 (alleged theft of trade secrets by scientist; not guilty of all 20 counts in the indictment); People v. An Individual, Case No. SWF 1700598 (assault with firearm, not guilty all felony charges); United States v. An Individual, 14cr192-CJC (solicitation to murder federal judge, hung jury); United States v. an Individual, 08cr1094-WDK (tried in 2015) (acquittal on all charges in federal health-care fraud prosecution); United States v. an Individual, 13cr0885 (acquittal on 16 of 19 charges in federal fraud case, remainder dismissed after successful appeal); People v. an Individual, Case No. 3WA02116 (hung jury and dismissal on theft charges); United States v. an Individual, 12cr0918-BEN (securities-fraud, acquitted on six counts, hung jury on remaining counts); California v. an Individual, Case No. SCS242736 (obtained dismissal of murder charges following three-day preliminary hearing); United States v. an Individual, Case No. 11 CR 2611 (assault on a federal officer case, obtained dismissal during second day of jury trial); United States v. an Individual, (Navy Court-martial alleging double rape; all charges dismissed after Article 32 preliminary hearing); California v.an Individual, Case No. SCS242736 (acquittals on all counts in case alleging aggravated assault with great bodily injury); United States v. an Individual, Case No. 09 CR 3330 (obtained jury trial acquittal in case alleging alien-smuggling with alleged confession); United States v. an Individual, Case No 05 CR 0069 (obtained jury trial acquittals of first-degree murder and gang conspiracy charges). 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, 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(government conceded error and dismissed appeal after opening brief filed); United States v. Spanier 14-50306 (securities-fraud conviction dismissed for Speedy Trial violation, remanded); United States v. Johnson, 10-50439 (9th Cir. 2012) (reversing federal bank-robbery conviction and twenty-seven-year sentence); United States v. Cardenas, 09-50472 (9th Cir. 2011) (reversing federal identity theft conviction); United States v. Caruto, 532 F.3d 822 (9th Cir. 2008) (reversing importation conviction and 14-year sentence for Doyle error in case of first impression); United States v. Rangel-Rodriguez, Case No.06-50519 (9th Cir.2008) (reversing federal alien-smuggling conspiracy conviction); United States v. Wells, Case No. 04-50296 (9th Cir. 2006) (reversing RICO/attempted murder conviction and 30-year sentence); United States v. Lombera-Valdovinos, 429 F.3d 927 (9th Cir. 2005) (reversing conviction in re-entry case); United States v. Bautista, 362 F.3d 584 (9th Cir. 2004) (reversing counterfeiting conviction for Fourth-Amendment violation); United States v. Juvenile (Christian O.), Case No. 03-50488 (9th Cir. 2004) (reversing importation case and obtaining acquittal on appeal).
Educational Background
- B.A., Whitworth College College, 1993 - 1997
Honors
- San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association named Tim Scott the 2016 Trial Lawyer of the Year
- Southern California Super Lawyer
- San Diego Super Lawyer
Awards
Avvo Client's Choice Award: This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2024, 2026 - 2027
