About Scot Z.
Scot Z. Matayoshi moved from a classroom setting into a courtroom over the course of a decade. He completed a B.A. at Claremont McKenna College in 2006, followed by an M.Ed in 2008. He returned to Hawai‘i for law school and received his J.D. from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law in 2012.
Those years of study shaped a professional rhythm that mixes public service and private practice. After law school he joined Schlack Ito, where his work has been anchored in litigation and counseling for clients who deal with state and federal systems. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court of Hawai‘i, the Ninth Circuit, and the State Courts of Hawai‘i. That combination puts him in courtrooms across several levels of the system.
Matayoshi’s legal career runs alongside civic involvement. He serves on the board of the Domestic Violence Action Center and sits on the Kailua Neighborhood Board. He is president of the Malama Honua Public Charter School Foundation and is a member of the Pacific Century Fellows, Class of 2016. These roles reflect an interest in local institutions and community governance, and they have kept him connected to civic leaders across the islands.
Colleagues describe him as pragmatic in the courtroom. He favors clear, direct arguments over ornate legal theory. That approach suits the mix of matters he handles at Schlack Ito, which range from contested disputes to transactional questions that require an understanding of both state procedure and federal rules. He has appeared in federal and state proceedings, and he manages filings in the Ninth Circuit when appeals are necessary.
Outside the office he maintains ties to education and community organizations. His earlier graduate work in education informs how he approaches governance roles at the charter school foundation and shapes his perspective on local policy discussions. He balances casework with nonprofit leadership, often bringing practical legal judgment to board deliberations.
He remains based in Hawai‘i and continues to practice at Schlack Ito. His current practice centers on litigation and advisory work in state and federal courts, alongside ongoing service on local boards and nonprofit organizations.
