Orrick offices in San Francisco. Credit: Jason Doiy / The Recorder

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe partner McGregor Scott, nominated by President Donald Trump to serve a second stint as U.S. attorney in California's Eastern District, reported earning more than $5.7 million in partner distribution and bonuses, according to newly disclosed financial records.

Scott, a white-collar and corporate investigations partner in Orrick's Sacramento office, said in the filings—published this week by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics—that he anticipates a final partnership distribution from between $1 million and $5 million if, as expected, the U.S. Senate confirms his nomination.

When he resigns from Orrick, Scott said he also expects a refund of his capital account, which he valued at between $500,000 and $1 million. That money will be used to repay loans between $500,000 and $1 million he secured to buy into Orrick in 2009, Scott said in the disclosures.

Contacted by phone Thursday, Scott declined to comment on his financial disclosure, which covers 2015, 2016 and the first 10 months of 2017.

Scott's nomination earlier this month was hailed by California politicians and regional lawyers from both sides of the aisle. Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Scott, a Republican, earned praise from her bipartisan vetting committee and “will serve the Eastern District well.” Sacramento criminal defense attorney Mark Reichel called Scott “a great pick.”

“He's got extreme respect from everyone,” Reichel said.

Scott previously served as the Eastern District's U.S. attorney between 2003 and 2009 under President George W. Bush's administration.

Scott's financial disclosure and those of other nominees offer a glimpse into the salaries and clients of lawyers tapped for public service. The documents are mandatory for certain executive nominees.

Scott, according to his disclosure, has provided legal services to an array of blue-chip companies, including Wal-Mart International Stores Inc., Procter & Gamble Co. and CVS Health Corp., as well as a number of regional construction and building companies. He has also represented the Central Valley's Westlands Water District, a political powerhouse in California's never-ending water wars.

Scott's public agency clients include the cities of Fresno and Davis. The former prosecutor was recently retained by the city of Davis to review police actions in a scuffle involving officers and a crowd of people attending an annual UC Davis festival known as Picnic Day. Scott said he will seek written authorization before handling any matters where the city, or anyone the city is representing, is a party.

Scott also disclosed one “confidential individual” among his client list who he is not naming because of a written confidentiality agreement.

To comply with ethics laws, Scott has agreed not to participate in any U.S. attorney matters involving his current clients for a period of one year, according to his ethics pledge. Scott said he will also stay away from cases involving Orrick clients for one year, unless he first receives authorization.

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has not yet set a hearing date to consider Scott's confirmation.

Scott served as the elected district attorney of Shasta County from 1997 to 2003. Earlier, he was a deputy district attorney in Contra Costa County for eight years.

If confirmed, Scott will replace career prosecutor Phillip Talbert, who has served as the Eastern District's U.S. attorney since Benjamin Wagner, appointed by President Barack Obama, who left last year to join the Palo Alto office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.

 

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