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Arthur Schechter

Senior Counsel, Mediator, Political Consultant, Business Consultant

Arthur Schechter has been practicing law since 1964, and since then he’s helped thousands of clients to successfully resolve their cases and begin new lives. He’s served clients from local seaman’s unions, the National Maritime Union, the Indian Seaman’s Union, the Pakistani Seaman’s Union, and individual seaman 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!

As a founding partner of Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris, Mr. Schechter serves as Senior Counsel and litigator for personal injury cases. He has also previously served as U.S. Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, as Board Chairman of METRO, and as a partner in a major national litigation firm.

Mr. Schechter has received numerous awards for his work, including the highest civilian award given by the United States Coast Guard. He has also been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine, an honor only given to 5% of Texas attorneys. H Texas magazine has also recognized him as one of the Top Lawyers for the People.

Current Employment Positions

Senior Counsel, Mediator, Political Consultant, Business Consultant

Areas Of Practice

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

Certifications/Specialties

Personal Injury Trial Lawyer

State Bar of Texas Board Certified Trial Lawyer

Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Bar Admissions

Texas, 1964

U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1976

U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1966

Education

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

Classes/Seminars Taught

Speaker, Rotary Club of East Nassau, 1998 – 2001

Honors and Awards

Martindale Hubbell “AV Rating”

Texas Super Lawyer – Top 5% of Texas Attorneys 2003-2013 (every single year of its existence)

Roscoe Pound Society Lifetime Fellow

Honorary President, American Men’s Club of Nassau, 1998 – 2001

Professional Associations and Memberships

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

Awards and Honors

“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

Current Boards

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

Published Recognition

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

Professional Memberships

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

Past Employment Positions

United States Government, U.S. Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, 1998 – 2001

Languages

Spanish

Birth Information

1939, Rosenberg, Texas, United States of America

Companies We Have Sued

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