Beaumont, TX

Brent Coon is the founder of Brent Coon & Associates, a nationally and internationally recognized trial law firm. He is known for his work in catastrophic injury, occupational disease, pharmaceutical harm, and environmental pollution cases, notably the BP Texas City Refinery Explosion. He is a strong advocate for corporate accountability and against tort reform, and has received numerous awards including 'Lawyer of the Year' and 'Clarence Darrow Award'.

Clay Dugas

Clay Dugas is a board-certified personal injury trial lawyer with over 40 years of experience, specializing in truck accidents, wrongful deaths, and workplace injuries. He has achieved numerous successful results, including many in excess of $1 million, and is recognized for his dedication to clients and community involvement.

Arthur Schechter has been practicing law since 1964, helping thousands of clients in maritime and personal injury claims. He has represented local, national, and international seaman's unions and individual seaman worldwide. His dedication has led to clients naming children, boats, and businesses after him. He previously served as U.S. Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and as Board Chairman of METRO, where he helped pioneer the Houston light rail. He has received numerous awards, including the highest civilian award from the U.S. Coast Guard, and has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer and a Top Lawyer for the People by H Texas magazine.

Matt Shaffer joined Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. in 1992. As a managing partner, he has represented thousands of clients across the United States, including successfully settling the largest single victim Jones Act case on record for a client with a brain injury. He has played a significant role in litigation related to major maritime disasters like the Deepwater Horizon explosion. He is board certified in Personal Injury Trial law in Texas and licensed in Colorado. He has been named a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine every year since 2006, recognized by H Texas magazine as one of Houston’s Top Lawyers for the People, and listed in The Best Lawyers in America© for Admiralty and Maritime Law.

Trent Bond

Trent Bond grew up near the refineries along the Gulf Coast in Pasadena, Texas. He attended South Houston High School, graduating early in order to enlist in the United States Navy. On his first tour of duty, Trent was sent overseas to Yokosuka, Japan, where he served aboard the USS Midway. While in the Navy, Trent learned the importance of discipline and hard work. He also learned that paying attention to detail can be the difference between success and failure. Trent put himself through college and law school, receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston (Clear Lake) and his law degree from South Texas College of Law (Houston). During law school, Trent was awarded membership in The Order of the Lytae in recognition of excellence and attainment in the study of the law. After law school, Trent moved to Beaumont, Texas, serving the people of Jefferson County as a Prosecutor in the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office. In 1997, Trent left the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office for private practice. It was a natural progression for Trent to go from protecting the rights of victims harmed by criminal conduct to protecting the rights of individuals harmed by the negligence and gross negligence of others. Trent is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has extensive experience in personal injury litigation. Trent has been the lead attorney in thousands of personal injury cases, including automobile accidents, plant explosions and complex medical malpractice cases. Trent believes that the best way to succeed is by working harder and being better prepared than your adversary. He also believes in giving back to the community and is a supporter of “Some Other Place,” a mission that serves the homeless in Beaumont, Texas. Trent has been fortunate enough to coach his children in youth sports, leading teams in the West End Little League and Beaumont Little Dribblers. Trent Bond is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Trent has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer (a Thomson Reuters service) from 2011 through 2025. Additionally, he has been selected by Best Lawyers from 2020 through 2025 as well as being recognized as a 2025 "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers. He is AV peer review rated attorney, focusing 90% of his practice on litigation. His extensive trial experience has given him a proven track record of success in personal injury, admiralty/maritime law matters, business litigation, commercial litigation, Jones Act claims, labor and employment issues, offshore injuries, wrongful death claims and others. He is also a Life Member of the Texas Bar Foundation, a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Furthermore, Trent has served as the Vice President for the Jefferson County Bar (2013-2014) and as a Director for the Jefferson County Bar (2000-2001), (2011-2013). He also served as a Director and Vice President in the Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association. Additionally, Trent was a recipient of the Beaumont Police Officers Association Service Award in both 2002 and 2008.

Michael K. Eaves

Mr. Eaves is an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell. He concentrates his practice in the areas of admiralty and maritime law, appellate work, business and commercial litigation, insurance defense litigation, personal injury, and premises liability.

Marc Whitehead

Marc Whitehead is a double board certified attorney and founding partner of Marc Whitehead & Associates. He specializes in personal injury litigation, insurance & ERISA litigation, Social Security Disability law, and Veterans disability compensation. He is a skilled litigator, an Accredited Veterans Claim Attorney, and Board Certified in Social Security Disability Law and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.