Matthew D. Shapiro is a plaintiff trial attorney with Shapiro Law Firm in Santa Ana, California, who represents individuals and families in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Southern California. His practice includes automobile, motorcycle, trucking, and boating collisions, medical negligence, premises liability, dangerous roadways, construction-site injuries, dog bites, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, and insurance bad faith.
Matthew’s practice is built around vigorous advocacy, a willingness to take on challenging cases, and a commitment to maintaining civility throughout litigation. He has recovered millions of dollars for his clients, and he personally manages lien negotiations in every personal injury case. He works directly with lien administrators, private medical insurers, Medi-Cal, and Medicare, educating clients about these obligations from the start and reducing liens wherever possible to maximize each client’s net recovery.
Matthew distinguished himself in legal writing and advocacy in law school. He published scholarship in the Western State Law Review, served as an editor and writer for the Ninth Circuit A.B.A. Media Alerts, and competed on the Honors Moot Court team in two national competitions.
Matthew is also active in leadership within California’s plaintiff trial bar and serves on the Board of Directors of Consumer Attorneys of the Inland Empire. He is also a member of Consumer Attorneys of California and the Joseph B. Campbell Chapter of the American Inns of Court.
Matthew has remained involved in public service throughout his career, volunteering as an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino since 2020. During law school, he worked with the Legal Aid Society of Orange County, providing assistance to low-income residents of the community.
Education & Admissions
- State Bar of California, 2020
- United States District Court for the Central District of California, 2020
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2020
- J.D., Western State College of Law, Irvine, California, 2019
- Law Review Writer, Western State Law Review, 2018–2019
- B.A., Communication Studies, California State University, Fullerton, 2015
Awards & Recognition
- Published Author, 46 W. St. L. Rev. 85 (2019)
- Editor and Writer, Ninth Circuit A.B.A. Media Alerts, Western State College of Law, 2017–2018
Professional Associations
- Consumer Attorneys of the Inland Empire, Board Member, 2022–Present
- Consumer Attorneys of California, Member, 2020–Present
- American Inns of Court, Joseph B. Campbell Chapter, Member, 2020–Present
- Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society, Member, 2020–Present
- American Bar Association, Member
- San Bernardino County Bar Association, Member, 2026-Present
- American Association for Justice, Member, 2025-Present
- Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino, Volunteer Attorney and Prior Employee, 2020–Present
- Legal Aid Society of Orange County, 2018