×

Gould Commencement 2023 Information

USC Gould Search

IN THIS SECTION

Donald M. Scotten
USC Gould School of Law

Donald M. Scotten

Vice Dean for Administration, and Professor of the Practice of Law

Email:
Telephone: (213) 740-6473
 699 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90089-0074 USA Room: 300

Last Updated: August 9, 2019



Donald Scotten is vice dean for administration and professor of the practice of law. Scotten specializes in business organizational law and business entity governance, and teaches Business Organizations, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Introduction to the U.S. Legal System.

Scotten currently serves as of counsel for Akerman LLP. Previously, Scotten was first vice president and senior counsel for Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., and was a senior associate at Howrey LLP.

Scotten received a BA, cum laude, in Economics and Communications from the University of Pennsylvania; a JD, Order of the Coif, from the College of William & Mary Law School; and an Executive LLM in Taxation from New York University.
 

Books & Chapters
  • Chapters on Mergers & Acquisitions, ABA Directors Fieldbook, American Bar Association (with Mark Easton, O’Melveny & Meyers) (2017)
  • Business Organizations: A Transactional Perspective (Second Edition, Cognella Academic Publishing) (2017)
  • The Transactional Document Guide (Cognella Academic Publishing) (2017)
  • Chapter on Valid Issuance & Admissions, Report on Third-Party Closing Opinions: LLCs and Partnerships, State Bar of California (2016)
  • Business Organizations:  A Transactional Planning Perspective, Cognella Academic Publishing (2014).
  • California Paralegal Manual: Corporations, The Rutter Group, a division of West Publishing, (2013) (with Judge Elizabeth Allen White) .
  • "Chapter 6:  Mergers and Conversions of Limited Partnerships," Guide to Forming and Operating a Limited Partnership in California, State Bar of California (2012).
Articles
  • "Employment Issues in Mergers and Acquisitions," California Business Law Practitioner, Continuing Education of the Bar (Fall 2014).
  • "A Review of Drafting Delaware LLC Agreements:  Forms and Practice Manual," Business Law Today, American Bar Association (August 2010).
  • "A Primer on Mergers Involving Unincorporated Entities," Business Law News, State Bar of California, Issue 1 (2010).
  • "Best Practices for Keeping the 'Limited' in Limited Liability Companies," Business Law News, State Bar of California, Issue 3 (2008).
  • "A First Look At What May Be California's New Limited Liability Company Act," Business Law News, State Bar of California, Issue 1 (2009) (with Phil Jelsma).
  • "Series LLCs:  An Organizational Form That Should Be Used Cautiously (For Now)," Business Law News, State Bar of California, Issue 2 (2009).
  • "Practicing in Organizational Form: A Simple Way to Minimize Liability," Big News for Smaller Firms, State Bar of California, Solo and Small Firm Section, Annual Meeting Issue (2009).
  • "A Historical Perspective of The Commission Versus The Oath:  A Dilemma for Officers," The Journal of the Adjutant General’s Corps, Regimental Association, Volume 6, Number 1 (1993).
Presentations
  • "How to Turn a Term Sheet into a Final Agreement," UCLA Lowell Milken Institute for Business Law & Policy, February 10, 2016.
  • "How to Translate a Term Sheet," California State Bar, Busines Law Section Webinar, January 20, 2015.
  • "Beyond a Form: Operating Agreements for the Brave New World of RULLCA," California State Bar Annual Meeting, September 11, 2014.
  • "Then Find a Way To Do It:  Ethics Issues Faced by In-House Counsel,"  California Bankers Association 122nd Annual Convention and 46th Annual Bank Counsel Seminar, May 3, 2013.
  • "California's New LLC Law," Los Angeles County Bar Association 2013 Delaware & California Law Update Symposium, April 19, 2013.
  • "The Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act: How It Changes California Law," California State Bar Annual Meeting, September 15, 2011.
  • "Should California Adopt the New Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act?" California State Bar Annual Meeting, September 11, 2009.

FACULTY IN THE NEWS

Roll Call
March 16, 2023
Re: Robin Craig

Professor Robin Craig was interviewed about the Navajo nation's water issues in a drought-stricken area. "Craig said the 9th Circuit’s approach comes from a 1908 Supreme Court case that found tribes had some water rights where they were not explicitly granted."

RECENT SCHOLARSHIP

Robin Craig
February, 2023

"Legal Dimensions of Coastal Adaptation Planning," AdaptLA webinar, USC Sea Grant, February 23, 2023.

Robin Craig
February, 2023

“Legal Aspects of Coastal Adaptation,” Online Public Lecture, AdaptLA Lecture Series, USC Sea Grant, February 23, 2023.

Felipe Jiménez
February, 2023

Comments on Joanna Langille, "The Subjects of Tort Law, North American Workshop of Private Law Theory," UCLA School of Law.