J. Scott Scheper

Law School
Harvard Law School

Major Cases
I represent owners, developers, contractors, and subcontractors in myriad real estate and construction disputes. Each case presents unique challenges, from litigating multimillion-dollar construction claims on a high-profile public project, to managing construction defect claims on numerous mid- and high-rise buildings in downtown San Diego, to navigating the turbulent waters of defaulted loans and failed insurers, to solving landlord-tenant disputes. Last year, the Ninth Circuit decided Technica v. Carolina Casualty, 749 F.3d 1149 (9th Cir.2014), in favor of my client, holding the lack of a state contractor’s license could not defeat recovery rights under the federal Miller Act. (40 U.S.C. § 3133 et seq.)

Professional Background
I joined Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek directly out of law school. I liked the firm’s home-grown roots, its commitment to excellence and the professionalism and active community leadership of its attorneys. I have been able to develop a flourishing, high-energy, client-centric practice without sacrificing family or enjoyment of the region’s myriad attributes which attracted me to San Diego. I am fortunate to practice with talented professionals of the highest integrity, firmly committed to serving the best interests of my clients, whom I find appreciate the ability to blend big picture business perspectives with distilled legal guidance as circumstances warrant.

Professional Affiliations
I have enjoyed many opportunities over the years to give back to the legal community and support the continued development of our profession. I have greatly enjoyed and been actively engaged for over 20 years in contributing to the growth of young attorneys at our firm through training and mentoring. For nearly as I long I have been honored and fortunate to present at numerous MCLE seminars on a wide variety of topics to lawyers and groups of non-lawyer professionals (such as expert witness associations) as part of my personal contribution to enhancing the practice and experiences with our profession.

Personal Affiliations
My most important role is husband and father to my two children. I am committed to and most rewarded by quality, interactive time with them. Through dozens of Y Guides campouts, supporting my daughter’s numerous theatrical roles, and coaching my son’s youth football teams, I have enjoyed a dream fatherhood. I’m pleased to be a member of the Red Coats, a committee of dedicated volunteers with the San Diego Bowl Game Association, and to contribute to its community-based mission of support for the Holiday and Poinsettia Bowls and year-round civic and charitable activities that benefit the San Diego community.

Personal Background
Growing up, I thrived on competition — from board games to sports to grades. But the parallels between sports and litigation particularly resonated and drew me into the profession. I played football through college and, when that was done, took up boxing in law school, even competing in the Golden Gloves. Litigation channels the greatest attributes of sports: preparation, teamwork, pursuit of excellence, competition, good sportsmanship. Through ever-diligent training and practice, alone or with teammates, one prepares; through maximal effort within the framework of the rules, one competes; and regardless of outcome, the participants at the conclusion shake hands and say “good game” knowing fair play and the integrity of the sport stand above individual outcomes.