Matthew D. Shaffer
Partner
In 1992, Matt Shaffer joined Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., the continuation of a firm that has focused on representing injured men and women since 1964. As a managing partner of the firm, Mr. Shaffer has represented thousands of clients across the United States. Most recently, he successfully settled the largest single victim Jones Act case on record for a client with a brain injury. He has played a significant role in litigation related to several major maritime disasters, including the Deepwater Horizon explosion.
Mr. Shaffer takes pride in bringing an experienced and thorough approach to every case. He dedicated to providing a high level of support for his clients, who are often surprised to get return phone calls and emails from him well after business hours are done.
More than 25 years ago, Mr. Shaffer began his career in law by representing large corporate clients. In 1992, he came to SMSH and began using his experience to help working men and women recover damages for on-the-job injuries.
Mr. Shaffer is among the small percentage of Texas attorneys who are certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial law. He has previously served as chairman of The Texas State Bar’s Grievance Committee for District 4C. He’s also licensed to practice law in Colorado.
Every year since 2006, Mr. Shaffer has been named a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine, an honor bestowed on only 5% of the state’s attorneys. He’s also been recognized by H Texas magazine as one of Houston’s Top Lawyers for the People.
Follow Matt on Twitter @ JonesAct
Partner
Jones Act
Longshore and 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
Motor Vehicle Accidents – Plaintiff
Texas Trucking Accidents – Plaintiff
Houston Motorcycle Accidents – Plaintiff
Premises Liability – Plaintiff
Railroad Accidents – Plaintiff
FELA Claims – Plaintiff
Products Liability Law
Medical Malpractice
Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1998
100% of practice devoted to litigation
Texas, 1987
Colorado, 1989
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1994
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1998
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 1993
U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 2006
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 2009
University of Houston Law Center, Houston, TX, 1987, J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence
South Texas College of Law, Houston TX
Law Review South Texas Law Review, 1985-1986
Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, 1984
B.B.A., Bachelor of Business Administration
National Maritime Union
University of Texas Admiralty Seminar
Occupational Illness in a Maritime Context—A Plaintiff’s Perspective, 1998
Multiple Causes of Action Seminar—Jones Act and FELA, Texas Trial
Lawyers Association, 1994
Railroads, Repetitive Stress and Restitution, Trial Magazine, September 2011
Texas Super Lawyer – Selected to top 5% of Texas Lawyers in 2005-2012
Texas Top Lawyer for the People – Multiple Consecutive Years Including 2010
American Jurisprudence Award – Criminal Law
Toxic Tort Seminar – Highest Score
South Texas College of Law Law Review
Houston Bar Association
State Bar of Texas
Texas State Bar, Grievance Committee, District 4C, Chairman and
Member 2000-2006
City of Bellaire Board of Adjustment, 1996-1998
Southwest Regional Board of Directors – Anti Defamation League, 1994-1996
Colorado Bar Association
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Maritime Law Association of the United States
Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Houston Trial Lawyers Association – Board of Trustees Representative to
Houston Lawyer Referral Service
Board of Directors, Houston Lawyer Referral Service, 2010-Present
Board of Directors, Congregation Beth Israel, 2010-Present
Phi Delta Phi
June 29, 1961, Houston, 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.