Dennis McElwee
Partner
Dennis McElwee has spent more than two decades dedicated to the practice of Maritime Law. He makes it his personal mission to stay up-to-date on court ruling concerning seamen and their daily living expenses because he knows that these details make a world of difference in his clients’ quality of life.
Mr. McElwee began his legal career working under Arthur Schechter, found of Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris. As Mr. Schechter’s protégée, he learned not only the fine points of trial law in U.S. courtrooms but also the arguments and cross examinations that win cases. “A funny thing happens when you put people under oath—the truth comes out,” he’s known to say.
In his practice, Mr. McElwee focuses on maritime law cases, including Jones Act claims, General Maritime Law claims and seaman’s wage claims. He also handles general personal injury claims and has enjoyed a high rate of success for his clients over the years.
Mr. McElwee is licensed to practice law in Texas and Minnesota, and has also handled cases in four U.S. District Courts, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Previously he has taught at the Southeast Admiralty Law Center and the University of Texas Maritime Law Conference.
Partner
Personal Injury — Plaintiff
Jones Act
Longshore & Harbor Workers Compensation Act
Maintenance and Cure
General Maritime Law
DOHSA – Death on the High Seas Act
Maritime Piracy
Public Vessel Act
Suits in Admiralty
Merchant Mariners Act
Admiralty Extension Act
OSCLA – Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
Military Sealift Command
Houston Motorcycle Accidents – Plaintiff
Premises Liability – Plaintiff
Railroad Accidents – Plaintiff
FELA Claims – Plaintiff
Products Liability Law
Medical Malpractice
Aviation Accidents — Plaintiff
Wrongful Death — Plaintiff
Shipping
95% of practice devoted to litigation
Texas, 1986
Minnesota, 1998
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
South Texas College of Law, Houston, TX, 1986 – J.D.
Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Camden, New Jersey, 1980 – B.A.
Texas Super Lawyers – 2011 – 2012
“The Relationship Between Medicare and a Vessel Owner’s Duty to Provide Cure,” SEALI, June, 1996
“Occupational Ilness Cases in a Maritime Context,” University of Texas, September, 1998
Instructor, Southeast Admiralty Law Institute , SEALI, 1996 Instructor, 7th Annual Admiralty and Maritime Conference, University of Texas, 1998
Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1986 – Present
Southeast Admiralty Law Institute, 1999 – Present
Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Member
Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Member
1954, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
Companies We Have Sued
Jonathan S. Harris and Matthew Shaffer are board certified personal injury trial lawyers prepared to take on your case.