A Lasting Appeal

A Lasting Appeal: 3 Generations of SCU Law

For the Scott family, the law is more than a profession. It is a calling passed down through four generations.

Over six decades, three members of the Scott family have had their careers shaped by the Santa Clara University School of Law (and a fourth by Santa Clara’s undergraduate programs).

Jeremiah Scott Jr. J.D. ’63 started the family’s Santa Clara story in the 60s as part of a close-knit class that included future Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta ’60, J.D. ’63, and future School of Law dean Mary Emery, J.D. ’63.

Even today, the Scotts talk about Jeremiah studying under George Strong, a beloved professor and dean who would later influence another member of the family.

Jeremiah’s time at Santa Clara was as much about relationships as it was academics. He remained close with his classmates long after graduation, faithfully attending reunions and staying in touch over the years. The community he found at Santa Clara became one of the defining threads of his life.

After graduation, Jeremiah returned to Eureka, California, where he built a remarkable 56-year legal career defined by service to his community. His practice spanned family law, probate, business, and administrative matters. He also served for three decades as the founding attorney and general counsel for the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District.

The flag at the Humboldt Superior Court was lowered to half-mast in his honor when he passed away in 2020. The gesture was beyond meaningful to the Scott family, reflecting the longevity of his career and the respect he earned.

Jeremiah Scott Jr. J.D. ’63 at his graduation with his father and father-in-law

His sons, McGregor Scott ’85 and Stuart Scott J.D ’92, also found their way to Santa Clara.

When Stuart arrived at the School of Law in 1989, he found the same spirit his father had described years earlier: a collaborative, welcoming environment where friendships formed quickly and mentorship came naturally.

He also stepped into some of the same classes his father once took, including Criminal Procedure and Trusts and Estates lectures with George Strong.

Santa Clara didn’t just prepare Stuart for a legal career; it rooted him in a professional network that would shape the rest of his life.

After graduating in 1992, Stuart spent more than two decades serving as a deputy district attorney in Santa Clara County. He was appointed to the bench in 2015.

The Santa Clara network remained a constant presence for Stuart throughout his career as colleagues, mentors, and lifelong friends.

This spring, Morgan Scott J.D. ’26 will become the third in her family to cross the stage with a degree from Santa Clara Law, weaving another SCU thread into the Scotts’ story.

But her path to law school was not inevitable.

Though she grew up surrounded by lawyers, Morgan wasn’t always certain she wanted to follow in their footsteps. A full-tuition Dean’s Fellowship ultimately convinced her to take a chance on Santa Clara Law—a decision that connected her to a family tradition while giving her space to shape her own future.

Once on campus, she discovered the same sense of camaraderie and mentorship that had stayed with her father and grandfather long after graduation. Through externships, clinics, and hands-on learning opportunities, Morgan gained confidence in herself and clarity about the kind of lawyer she hopes to become.

While clerking at the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office—where she recently accepted a post-bar position—she saw firsthand the effect of the Santa Clara network. Her supervisor is a fellow Santa Clara Law graduate, and the shared connection immediately created a sense of familiarity and support.

For Morgan, the most meaningful part of the profession is the opportunity to support others, both in the courtroom and through mentorship.

Public service has become a defining thread across generations of the Scott family. Jeremiah served his district for more than five decades, Stuart devoted his career to public service as both a prosecutor and judge, and Morgan is beginning her own journey in the district attorney’s office while mentoring younger Santa Clara Law students.

At Santa Clara, the Scotts didn’t just earn law degrees. They found a community that reinforced the values of service, mentorship, and connection that guided their family for generations.

And more than 60 years after Jeremiah first arrived on campus, the values he found at Santa Clara are still shaping the Scott family and the communities they serve.

Stuart and Morgan Scott at a Santa Clara Law event