Many of you know him from your involvement with the Sacramento County Bar Association, some of you have worked with him through your involvement with the Center for Youth Citizenship's Gordon B. Schaber Mock Trial and Moot Court Competition, a few of you have argued a case in front of him, but did you know that you could also have the opportunity to have him pour you beverage or bus your table in a garden-like setting where all of the proceeds go to charity? Who is this man?

None other than Arthur Scotland, Presiding Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, this year's recipient of the Sacramento County Bar Association's Humanitarian of the Year Award; an award that recognizes the time and effort of a member who volunteers in charitable endeavors outside of the practice of law.

SCBA Humanitarian Presiding Justice Art Scotland speaks of his work with the Sacramento Children's Home watched by Ronald C. Davis, Bion Gregory, and Judge Gary E. Ransom.

This award is intended to encourage community involvement by members of the Sacramento County Bar Association and to focus public attention on the many ways in which members of the legal profession work to better the community. Ronald C. Davis, executive officer of the Sacramento Children's Home, nominated Justice Scotland as a candidate for this award in recognition of his tireless contributions in time and energy on behalf of the Sacramento Children's Home.

The Sacramento Children's Home is a non-profit organization committed to preventing child abuse, caring for troubled children, enabling families to meet the needs of their children, and helping those children to become productive, responsible adults. The original "home," built on Sutterville Road in 1867 by a group of community-minded citizens to provide shelter for orphans, has expanded from a two-story orphanage to a 17 acre network of campus-based and community-based programs that serve as a safe haven for abused and neglected children. The campus-based program, a residential treatment program, is staffed by counselors and social workers who are available 24 hours a day for the children, ages six to eighteen, who live in the cottages on the grounds of the Sacramento Children's Home. The community based programs include a crisis nursery that serves as a safe haven for the youngest at-risk children whose families are in crisis, a network of family resource centers, as well as home visitation services to help strengthen family communications.

The Sacramento Children's Home receives a substantial portion of its funding from the various service leagues associated with the Home, two of which operate "not for profit" businesses located on the grounds of the campus. One of these facilities, the La Casita Gift Shop, is a quaint shop packed with unique gifts for the home and garden, many of which are handcrafted by local artists and crafts-persons. With the exception of the store manager, La Casita is staffed by volunteers and all the profits from the store are donated to the Sacramento Children's Home.

The other "not for profit" business located on the grounds of the Sacramento Children's Home is the Casa Garden Restaurant, formerly known as Casa de Los Ninos. Like La Casita, the Casa Garden Restaurant, with the exception of, its kitchen manager, catering manager, and maintenance help, is staffed by volunteers who are members of the Los Ninos Service League. These volunteers plan the menus, serve the food, and maintain the gardens that are used for spring weddings and other out-door receptions. As with the La Casita Gift Shop, all proceeds, including tips, are donated to the Sacramento Children's Home.

There are over 450 active members of the Los Ninos Service League, which only has one requirement--the gift of 90 hours of service to the Casa Garden Restaurant per year. However, many, like Justice Art Scotland and his wife Sue Silva Scotland, give far more.

As explained by Pat Ronten, current president of the Los Ninos Service League, Justice Scotland first became involved with the Sacramento Children's Home by supporting the many efforts of his wife, Sue, who first served as a volunteer at the La Casita Gift Shop and now primarily focuses her volunteer efforts at the Casa Garden Restaurant. Ms. Ronten describes Justice Scotland as a well-liked and respected member of the Los Ninos Service League and adds that many of his fellow volunteers, who know him simply as "Scotty," have no idea of his "day job." As one of the people instrumental in nominating Justice Scotland for the Humanitarian of the Year Award, Ms. Ronten had this to say about Justice Scotland; "He joined the Los Ninos Service League in 1986 and has since been a jack-of-all-trades. His busy schedule prevents weekday volunteering but he uses evening and week-end events to full advantage."

No job is too small. It is not unusual to find him with a vacuum cleaner or a paintbrush in hand. Most of the time he serves as bartender at weddings and receptions but will serve plates and clear tables with equal grace.

As he strolls among guests, refilling glasses, he answers questions regarding the Service League and the importance of the Sacramento Children's Home in the community and state. His support of the children is more than monetary and verbal, it is with time and action."

Ron Davis adds that Justice Scotland and his wife Sue have also been actively involved with events scheduled for the residents of the Sacramento Children's Home. He recalls the many times Justice Scotland has jumped into action, carving and serving up the Thanksgiving turkey or delivering holiday gifts to the children in their cottages. If you have been in the foyer of the Library and Courts Building during the holiday season, you may have seen the "Giving Tree" sponsored by Justice Scotland, from which a donor can select a star and grant the holiday wish of one of the children served by the Sacramento Children's Home.

Justice Scotland, a native Sacramentan, attended elementary, junior high, and high school in Sacramento, and graduated from the University of California, Davis. He had his first taste of the law while serving as a law enforcement officer for the California Department of Justice. He attended University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, graduating with honors in 1974. After serving as a Deputy District Attorney, Sacramento County, 1974-76, California Deputy Attorney General, 1976-83, and Cabinet Secretary to the Governor, 1983-87, he was appointed a Superior Court Judge by Governor Deukmejian in 1987. In 1989, he was elevated to the bench of the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District. In 1998, Governor Wilson appointed him as presiding justice of the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District.

In addition to his volunteer work on behalf of the Sacramento Children's Home, Justice Scotland volunteers as an advisor and judge for Center for Youth Citizenship's Gordon B. Schaber Mock Trial and Moot Court Competition, and is actively involved with the Anthony M. Kennedy American Inn of Court, an organization of judges, attorneys and law students that is dedicated to promoting civility, ethics and professionalism in the practice of law.

When he isn't working, mentoring students and attorneys, or volunteering at the Casa Garden Restaurant, Justice Scotland also enjoys playing softball, skiing, and running, including marathons and team triathlons, and making stained glass lamps and windows.

We also have learned from former Sacramento City Council Member Lynn Robie, wife of Justice Ronald Robie, both of whom are close friends of the Scotlands, that he is also a "freelance" photographer. As explained by Lynn Robie, there have been many occasions during social outings with the Scotlands, especially in areas customarily frequented by tourists, when Justice Scotland, upon espying a person with a camera setting up a picture of a loved one or family member in front of a landmark, has rushed over to that person and said "Wait, I'll take the picture so that you can be in it too." Sue Scotland also shared that the Scotlands recently received a letter from a young couple who had vacationed in Sacramento thanking Justice Scotland, not only for taking their picture in front of the Library and Courts Building, but for the tour of the court, including Justice Scotland's chambers.

Upon being informed of his nomination as the SCBA 2002 Humanitarian of the Year, Justice Scotland, true to his humble nature, expressed surprise and appreciation, but asked how he could be nominated for an award for doing something that he enjoys so much. The reason is precisely that--because he not only gives of his time both inside and outside of the practice of law, but it is apparent that he genuinely enjoys doing so.