Matt aspired to be a trial lawyer when he was in high school. When this aspiration came to fruition, Matt vowed to put his all into every case he handles regardless of size or complexity. Matt eagerly represents both plaintiffs and defendants in traditional energy, renewable energy, oil and gas, personal injury, property damage, transportation, insurance, contractual indemnity, subrogation, commercial disputes, and breach of contract matters.
For over two decades, Matt has represented clients throughout the world before juries, judges, and arbitrators.. In every case, he is driven to find the best solution for his clients. With numerous trials under his belt, Matt is willing to do whatever it takes to help his clients achieve their goals, whether through settlement, motion practice, or trial.
Matt considers himself a native Houstonian. Matt lived in Houston, Texas as a child and then attended high school in Henderson, Texas. He moved back to Houston to attend law school and has remained in the Houston area.
Services
Cases & Experience
- Obtained a first chair jury verdict in Harris County District Court 39 times the Defendant’s last settlement offer in a subrogation case involving property damage and business interruption to a coiled tubing unit.
- Helped establish the substantial connection in nature test for Jones Act seaman status in the United States Court of Appeals in Sanchez v. Smart Fabricators and obtained a dismissal in favor of his client. Handled the en banc oral argument and the appellate briefing before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Represented underwriting syndicate in insurance coverage litigation arising out of a well blowout; successfully obtained 12(b)(6) dismissal of well control company’s complaint seeking additional insured status, breach of contract damages, and bad faith damages.
- On a trial team that represented Defendant in a property damage lawsuit involving a gas explosion in Harris County District Court. Helped obtain a defense verdict absolving Defendant from liability.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of an oil and gas operator in a declaratory judgment action concerning interpretation of contractual defense and indemnity obligations and the Texas Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act
- Represented Plaintiff in an arbitration in Iowa concerning a property damage subrogation claim.
- On trial team that represented Defendant in a Uniform Commercial Code breach of express warranty lawsuit in Harris County District Court. Prepared Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict which was granted, reversed the verdict and prevailed on appeal.
- On trial team that represented Defendants truck driver and trucking company in personal injury lawsuit in Harris County District Court. Obtained a verdict absolving Defendants of liability.
- On trial team that represented Defendants in a fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and Theft Liability Act trial in Harris County, Texas. The case settled favorably during trial.
- Obtained a $625,000 verdict in client’s favor in a breach of contract trial involving a sales commission agreement.
- On trial team that represented Defendant in a jewelry store burglary in Travis County District Court. Helped obtain a verdict drastically lower than the last settlement offer.
- On trial team for an eight-figure Admiralty subrogation case in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas concerning property damage to a subsea pipeline caused by a semi-submersible drilling rig. The case settled favorably during trial.
- On trial team that represented Defendant in a property damage and personal injury lawsuit involving a gas explosion in Harris County District Court. Helped obtain a defense verdict absolving Defendant from liability.
- On trial team that represented Defendant production platform operator in an Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act personal injury trial in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Galveston Division. Helped obtain a defense verdict absolving Defendant from liability.
- On trial team that represented Defendant in an automobile accident trial. Helped obtain a verdict several hundred thousands of dollars below the last settlement offer.
- On trial team that represented Defendant in a trucking accident trial. Helped obtain a verdict absolving Defendant of liability.
- Obtained Summary Judgment in favor of Defendants in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division in an offshore personal injury lawsuit under Alaska law. The Summary Judgment was appealed. Matt drafted Appellees’ Brief to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and was affirmed.
- Obtained Summary Judgment in favor of Defendant in Jefferson County, Texas in a personal injury lawsuit involving a rotating contractor insurance program. Prepared Appellee’s Brief, argued oral argument, and was affirmed by the 9th Court of Appeals, Beaumont, Texas.
- Obtained Summary Judgment in favor of Defendant in Jefferson County, Texas in a personal injury lawsuit involving a rotating contractor insurance program.
Education & Admissions
Education
- South Texas College of Law, J.D., cum laude, (South Texas College of Law Student Faculty Committee, Corporate Counsel Review (Note Editor))
- Stephen F. Austin State University, B.B.A., Finance, magna cum laude
Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
Awards & Recognitions
- Best Lawyers in America, 2024-2025
- Texas Super Lawyers, 2023-2025
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Energy Lawyers, 2024-2025
Professional & Civic
Professional
- Texas Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Houston Claims Association
- Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
Civic
- Houston Claims Association, Board Member, 2015-2024
2015-2016: Vendor Member at Large
2016-2017: Sergeant At Arms
2017-2018: Treasurer
2018-2019: President
2019-2024: Past President - American Bar Association Admiralty Litigation Committee, 2019-2023
- Houston Marine & Energy Insurance Conference Planning Committee, 2020-2024
- STEM is for Everyone London Steering Committee, 2023-present
- STEM is for Everyone United States Steering Committee, 2025-present
Publications & Speaking
Publications
- Governmental Investigatory Reports and Findings – What is Admissible?, American Bar Association Admiralty Litigation Section Committee, 2016 (authored)
Speaking
- Tex-La History, How our History Affects Claims, Lloyd’s Under 35 Energy & Marine Group, 2014, (authored and presented)
- Texas Claims – What You Don’t Know May Cost You, Texas Independent Insurance Adjusters Association, 2016 (co-authored and presented)
- Texas Claims – What You Don’t Know May Cost You, Original Women in Claims Houston, 2016 (co-authored and co-presented)
- Casualty Response/Internal Claims Handling, American Bar Association Admiralty Regional Continuing Legal Education Program, 2018 (co-authored and presented)
- The Lifecycle of a Lawsuit, Lloyd’s Under 35 Energy & Marine Group, 2018 (co-authored and presented)
- Offshore Wind in the United States, Loss Executives Association 2022 Annual Meeting and Educational Conference, 2022 (co-authored and presented)
- Carbon Capture Sequestration, Lillehammer Energy Claims Conference, 2024 (co-authored and presented)
- Orphan and Zombie Wells, Lillehammer Energy Claims Conference, 2024 (authored and presented)
- Carbon Capture Panel, PowerCon – Energy and Power Conference, 2024 (co-authored and presented)
- Choice of Law and Jurisdiction – A Global Perspective, various London insurers and syndicates, 2025 (co-authored and presented)
- Is My Algorithm Correct? Trending Contract, Coverage, and Legal issues, The Alliant 2025 Energy, Power, and Marine Client Forum, 2025 (co-authored and presented)
- Changing U.S. Landscape and its Impact on Energy, Onshore Energy Conference London, 2025 (authored and presented)
- Orphan and Zombie Wells, Lloyd’s Market Association, 2025 (authored and presented)
- Energy & Power: Tips and Trends on Managing Emerging and Developing Risks, The Alliant 2026 Energy, Power, and Marine Client Forum, 2026 (co-authored and presented)
- Allocating Liability in Energy Contracts, Lillehammer Energy Claims Conference, 2026 (co-authored and presented)
Insights
Outside the Office
What I do when not practicing law
Spend time with my wife and my two children. Preparing my son Caleb for college, buying my daughter Maddy too many things, and giving my dachshund Watson too many treats. Most importantly, I try my best to keep my wife Megan happy.
Favorite sports teams
Houston Astros, Houston Texans, Houston Rockets and Tottenham Hotspur #COYS
Favorite food
A “good” cheeseburger.
Most satisfying professional accomplishment
Becoming a licensed attorney and sharing the experience with my wife.