Known as California’s premier debt collection lawyer amongst clients and competitors alike, D. Scott Carruthers is the founder of The Law Office of D. Scott Carruthers, a firm specializing in commercial and debt collection law located in Stanton, California. Mr. Carruthers, a graduate of Illinois College and Western State University, began his career as a practicing attorney after earning his law degree at Western State and passing the California State Bar in 1976, embarking on an illustrious career spanning five decades and featuring more than 6,000 legal collection cases.
It was more than 40 years ago that Mr. Carruthers founded The Law Office of D. Scott Carruthers and landed his first client, GC Services, the same company for which Mr. Carruthers had previously worked while attending law school. During his time with GC Services, which was then the largest collection agency in the United States, Mr. Carruthers worked as a debt collector and gained a great deal of insight into the legal issues the industry most commonly encounters. Upon completing his law degree and earning acceptance to the state bar, Mr. Carruthers decided to build a law firm capable of meeting the unique needs of debt buyers, collection agencies, and large creditors.
Although he has enjoyed a great deal of success while working with clients in need of legal guidance concerning debt collection law, Mr. Carruthers is also capable of drawing on his substantial experience in other areas of the law as well. Mr. Carruthers’ previous experience includes serving as a judge pro tem for Orange County, and he is also a founding member of the Debt Buyers Association. In addition to his longstanding reputation as California’s premier debt collection attorney, Mr. Carruthers also boasts extensive professional credentials, including his status as a member in good standing with the California Bar Association, the California Collectors Association, and the National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys.
What was your best/favorite subject in school?
As a high school student, my favorite subject was history, but as an undergrad and law school student, I developed a greater appreciation for philosophy and, of course, law.
What was your first job?
My first serious job was with GC Services, where I worked as a debt collector while working on my law degree.
Where and how did you first get into the industry you currently work in?
My experience with GC Services enabled me to develop a deep understanding of the industry and its legal needs, so I made the decision to found a legal practice specializing in collection law and other relevant legal areas.
How have those jobs prepared you for what you do now?
Collection law — along with commercial law and bankruptcy law — is inherently complex, but my experience working as a debt collector has helped me throughout my career as a lawyer representing collection agencies, creditors, and debt buyers.
Describe the best day of work you’ve ever had.
When I first founded the law firm, I was especially proud of the fact that my former employer, GC Services, was the very first client to enlist my services.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
I love my work, and when you love what you do, you wake up with more than enough energy and motivation to take on the challenges of a new day.
What kind of business ideas excite you most?
Entrepreneurship and innovation are so closely linked for a reason, so I am most excited by the kind of business ideas built around an innovative product, service, or concept. It always brings me joy to see this type of entrepreneurial focus properly rewarded.
Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?
No, but I do enjoy seeing the unorthodox marketing and branding techniques used by my peers in the legal field. Some of the techniques are indeed entertaining and effective, but I prefer to rely on the reputation I’ve built over the course of more than 40 years of practice.
What personal achievement are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of building a practice that meets the specific needs of the collection industry, particularly since the legal issues associated with collection law can be so complex and difficult to navigate without expert guidance.
What wisdom you would have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?
When I first started out I didn’t yet understand the benefits of staff continuity, so I would have advised my younger self to make a serious investment in retaining the firm’s most important team members right from the beginning.