Not only do serious accidents require serious experience, they require serious follow-through. Matt Shaffer demonstrates that every day. He is the type of lawyer who thoroughly prepares cases and follows up on details. His is also the type of man who strives to return phone calls to prospective clients as soon as possible, carries his Blackberry on weekends and makes it a point to be there for his clients when it counts. Many of his clients express surprise when he returns phone calls and e-mails well past normal working hours.

He has gotten hundreds of milliions of dollars for his clients.

Matt became a lawyer over 20 years ago, and first represented the other side of the docket for large corporate clients. When he came to SMSH, over 15 years ago, he transferred his passion for excellence to the representation of working men and women. Matt is one of a small percentage of Texas lawyers who is certified as a Personal Injury Trial Lawyer by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is past chairman of The Texas State Bar’s Grievance Committee for District 4C. He is licensed to practice in Colorado. In 2006 and 2007 he was named a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine, an honor shared by only 5% those practicing law in Texas.

He was most recently voted and recognized as one of Houston's Top Lawyers for the People by H Texas magazine.

Contact

Particulars
Current Employment Position
Partner

Areas of Practice
Jones Act
Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
Motor Vehicle Accidents—Plaintiff
Premises Liability—Plaintiff
Railroad Accidents-Plaintiff
Products Liability Law
Medical Malpractice

Certifications & Specialties
Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1998

Litigation Percentages
100% of practice devoted to litigation

Bar Admissions
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

Education
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

Representative Cases
Hussani v. Marine Transport Lines (1998)

Representative Clients
National Maritime Union

Classes/Seminars Taught
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

Honors and Awards
American Jurisprudence Award - Criminal Law
Toxic Tort Seminar - Highest Score

Professional Associations and Memberships
Houston Bar Association
Texas State Bar, Grievance Committee, District 4C, 1999 - Present
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

Fraternities/Sororities
Phi Delta Phi

Birth Information
June 29, 1961, Houston, Texas, United States of America