ARTHUR L. SCHECHTER
Arthur Schechter is a founding partner of Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, and serves as Senior Counsel and litigator for personal injury cases. He has served clients from local seaman’s unions, the National Maritime Union, the Indian Seaman’s Union, the Pakistani Seaman’s Union, and individual seamen throughout the world. Over the years, his dedication to his clients and successes on their behalf have set him apart. Some have even named children, boats and businesses after him!
Senior Counsel, Mediator, Political Consultant, Business Consultant
Arthur Schechter has been practicing law since 1964, and since then has helped thousands of clients to successfully resolve their cases and begin new lives.
- 100% Personal Injury — Plaintiff
- 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
- Texas Trucking Accidents – Plaintiff
- Houston Motorcycle Accidents – Plaintiff
- Motor Vehicle Accidents — Plaintiff
- Premises Liability — Plaintiff
- Property Damage — Plaintiff
- Railroad Accidents — Plaintiff
- Slip and Fall — Plaintiff
- Wrongful Death — Plaintiff
- Products Liability Law
- Professional Malpractice Law
- Bad Faith
- Insurance Subrogation
- Insurance Malpractice
- 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
- FELA Claims – Plaintiff
- Medical Malpractice
- Personal Injury Trial Lawyer
- State Bar of Texas Board Certified Trial Lawyer
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX, 1964, J.D.
- Honors: Law School Dean’s Council, President’s Council
- University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA, 1962, B.A.
- Honors: Honor’s Program
- Texas, 1964
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1976
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1966
- Martindale Hubbell AV Rating
- Texas Super Lawyer – Top 5% of Texas Attorneys 2003-2014 (every single year of its existence)
- Roscoe Pound Society Lifetime Fellow
- Honorary President, American Men’s Club of Nassau, 1998 – 2001
- Tapestry Award from Houston Interfaith Ministries (Meals on Wheels—Refugee Settlement)
- Top Lawyers in Houston
- Starlight Award—Council of Jewish Women
- Star of David Award for Jewish Philanthropy
- President’s Award: NAACP
- Houston Treasure—Social Book of Houston
- Henry Morganthau Award for Legal Excellence—National Dinner in New York—Israel Bonds
- Prominent Community Leader by Top Ladies of Distinction
- Houston’s Most Fascinating by Baylor College of Medicine
- Outstanding Community Leadership Award—SEARCH (Homeless)Services
- Barrier Breaker Award—Career and Recovery Resources (agency working to retrain and find employment for workers)
- National United Jewish Appeal Prime Ministers Council
- Special Agents Award from Drug Enforcement Administration
- United States Marine Corp Award for Support in Nassau
- Distinguished Public Service Award—United States Coast Guard
- Outstanding Public Service Award—United States Custom Service
- David H. White Award for Outstanding Leadership presented by Jewish Community Center
- Samuel E. Karff Leadership Award—Outstanding Member of Congregation Beth Israel
- American Jewish Committee’s National Human Relations Award (only other Texan to win was Ann Richards)
- Star of Texas Award, 21st Century Democrats
- Benefactor Award: Jewish Chautauqua Society
- Love Award Honoree: Childrens Advocates, Inc. of Harris County
- Young Leadership Award: United Jewish Appeal
- “Tapestry Award” from Houston Interfaith Ministries (Meals on Wheels—Refugee Settlement)
- “Top Lawyers in Houston”
- “Starlight” Award—Council of Jewish Women
- “Star of David” Award for Jewish Philanthropy
- “President’s Award”: NAACP
- “Houston Treasure”—Social Book of Houston
- “Henry Morganthau Award” for Legal Excellence—National Dinner in New York—Israel Bonds
- “Prominent Community Leader” by Top Ladies of Distinction
- “Houston’s Most Fascinating” by Baylor College of Medicine
- “Outstanding Community Leadership” Award—SEARCH (Homeless)Services
- “Barrier Breaker Award”—Career and Recovery Resources (agency working to retrain and find employment for workers)
- National United Jewish Appeal Prime Ministers Council
- “Special Agents Award” from Drug Enforcement Administration
- United States Marine Corp Award for Support in Nassau
- “Distinguished Public Service” Award—United States Coast Guard
- “Outstanding Public Service” Award—United States Custom Service
- “David H. White Award” for Outstanding Leadership presented by Jewish Community Center
- “Samuel E. Karff Leadership” Award—Outstanding Member of Congregation Beth Israel
- “American Jewish Committee’s National Human Relations” Award (only other Texan to win was Ann Richards)
- “Star of Texas” Award, 21st Century Democrats
- “Benefactor” Award: Jewish Chautauqua Society
- “Love Award” Honoree: Childrens Advocates, Inc. of Harris County
- “Young Leadership” Award: United Jewish Appeal
- Spanish
- Houston Trial Lawyers Board of Directors
- American Trial Lawyers Association, Sustaining Member
- Texas Civil Justice Foundation, Founding Sponsor
- American Academy of Railroad Trial Lawyers
- Texas College of the State Bar of Texas
- William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity, Board of Directors
- Anti-Defamation League Southwest Regional Board Nominating Committee, Legal Committee
- Institute of International Education Southern Regional Advisory Board
- S.E.A.R.C.H. Service to the Homeless, Board Member (Chaired First Fundraising Ball)
- Serve Houston Board, Board of Directors (Local AmeriCorps Chapter)
- University of Texas at Austin Notable Alumnus
- American Association for Justice
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association
- Harris County Democratic Lawyers Assoc.
- Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialist
- Association for Conflict Resolution
- University of Texas: Law School Dean’s Council, President’s Council
- Texas Bar Foundation
- Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation
- Texas Civil Justice Foundation: Founding Sponsor
- American Academy of Railroad Trial Lawyers
- Texas Trial Lawyers Admiralty Section: Chairman
- Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists
- Speaker, Rotary Club of East Nassau, 1998 – 2001
- Council of American Ambassadors
- SEARCH (institution for homeless), Executive Committee
- University of Texas Health Science Center (Medical School)
- Congregation Beth Israel (Past President, Executive Committee)
- American Jewish Committee (Past President, Executive Committee)
- Jewish Federation of Greater Houston (Past President, Executive Committee)
- Frost Bank Advisory Board
- William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity Board –minority (runs a boys’ school, geriatric housing, and other programs)
- Houston Area Parkinson’s Center
- Career and Recovery Resources (helps physically disabled or disadvantaged train and find work)
- Houston Holocaust Museum Executive Committee
- AIDS Foundation Houston
- Lillian Kaiser Lewis Charitable Foundation
- Dayan Center for Mid-East and African Studies, Tel Aviv University
- Greater Houston Convention Visitors Bureau
- Who’s Who in the World
- Who’s Who in America
- Who’s Who in Houston
- Who’s Who in Texas
- Who’s Who in the Southwest
- Who’s Who in American Law
- Who’s Who in Society
- Elegant “Millennium Maker” in book of 100 most prominent Houstonians by Evan Thayer
- Social Book of Houston
- Featured in Community Leaders of America, American Biographical Institute
- United States Government, U.S. Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, 1998 – 2001
Companies We’ve Taken On And Won
They handled my maritime case fast and effectively
Mr. Shaffer was great, he handled my maritime case fast and effectively. They ensured I received the medical treatment and care that I needed and his team always made me feel at ease. I would hands down recommend Mr. Shaffer and his team to anyone looking for a trustworthy lawyer.
John R.
Case Type: Maritime Law
They were very thorough, available, and prompt
Laura De La Cruz and Matt Shaffer had expert knowledge of maritime law and plenty of experience dealing with the maritime industry. They were very thorough and always available and prompt in answering any of my questions and concerns. My experience was nothing short of great!!! Thanks again!
Richard W.
Case Type: Maritime Law
They never gave up and battled on my behalf
Little did I know when I first contacted them in 2017, the amazing outcome that would come about in 2020. They never gave up and continued all those years to battle on my behalf, even when at times I wanted to give up. While the accident negatively impacted me physically, I am now better, both physically and financially.
Waskom R.
Case Type: Maritime Law
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