Scott A. Mertens

Scott A. Mertens has considerable experience in handling serious and complex cases on both the state and federal level.  He handles cases ranging from murder down to the smallest misdemeanors and all forms of white collar crimes.  In 2007, he tried the largest drug case in Ingham County history in federal court.  Mr. Mertens has a great deal of experience dealing with very complicated legal issues that require a strong understanding of the law.  He has represented several clients charged with very complicated financial crimes on both the state and federal levels.  He also has a great deal of experience dealing with the media and high profile cases.  Of note, he was co-counsel for Timothy P. Holland in the Ricky Holland murder case.  As an attorney in this case, he fielded numerous media requests and participated in several interviews.

Currently, Mr. Mertens is one of a select few attorneys in the Lansing area appointed, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.§ 3006A (The Criminal Justice Act), to be on the list of Federal Court Appointed Attorneys for indigent defendants charged with federal crimes.  In this capacity, he has handled numerous serious federal criminal cases – some punishable by life in prison.  He is also on the “A List” of attorneys in Ingham County for court appointed cases.  “A Level” cases are cases punishable by up to life in prison.

Mr. Mertens also has a great deal of experience in all matters related to Family Law from complicated divorce cases involving the valuation of business assets, to difficult custody cases.

Mr. Mertens is a United States Air Force veteran. His military training has instilled in him a great deal of discipline, dedication, loyalty, and the importance of hard work.  These traits are evident in the way he vigorously represent his clients. 

Mr. Mertens has a strong academic record. He earned his Bachelors Degree, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and his Juris Doctor, graduating Cum Laude. While in Law School, he interned for the Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, was a Senior Associate Editor of the Thomas M. Cooley Law Review, won the intra-school first year Moot Court competition, and earned the Book Award in Research and Writing and Law Practice.

Prior to opening Mertens, Laxton and Clement, PLLC, Mr. Mertens was a Partner and Vice President of The Reynolds Law Firm, P.C. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan Criminal Law Section, the State Bar of Michigan Litigation Section, the State Bar of Michigan General Practice Section, the Ingham County Bar Association - Criminal Law Section, and the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM).  Mr. Mertens is also a one time member of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Legislative Analysis Committee and is currently a Barrister with the Michigan State University Chapter of the American Inns of Court.

Mr. Mertens is the author of “Michigan Shield Laws – A Free or Fettered Press?” published in the Thomas M. Cooley Law Review, 1999 and “Access to School Records and Children’s Protective Services Records,” Lorman Education Services, September 4, 2002, in addition to various articles in other publications related to the law.  He has also given numerous speeches on various Criminal Law issues, Access to Children’s Records, Child Custody Issues, and the Sex Offenders Registration Act. Mr. Mertens was a guest lecturer on White Collar Crime at Michigan State University and has participated in several round table discussions on the Ricky Holland case.

Mr. Mertens has dedicated a great deal of himself to the legal profession. He brings a great deal of experience and integrity to his work and takes a great deal of pride in the results he obtains for his clients.