Matthew Shaffer's Email & Phone

Matthew D. Shaffer, Partner 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 iPhone 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. Follow me on Twitter @ JonesAct Particulars Current Employment Position Partner Areas of Practice 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 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 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 U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 2009 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 Texas Super Lawyer - Selected to top 5% of Texas Lawyers in 2005-2010 H Texas Top Lawyer for the People - Multiple Consecutive Years Including 2010 American Jurisprudence Award - Criminal Law Toxic Tort Seminar - Highest Score Professional Associations and Memberships 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 Fraternities/Sororities Phi Delta Phi Birth Information June 29, 1961, Houston, Texas, United States of America We treat our clients with respect, and we take a lot of pride in the work that we do.