Judge Sylvia A. Matthews: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

MDL District Court of Texas, Department 17th Floor

Biography

The Hon. Sylvia A. Matthews is a judge for the Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) District Court of Texas in Harris County.


She has served as a judge since 2008. During that time, she spent ten years as a judge of the 281st District Court, as well as on four MDL panels or dockets involving alleged underpayment of insurance claims. She also sits as a visiting judge around the state since 2019. Matthews was unsuccessful in her bid to retain her seat on the 281st District Court in the 2018 election.


She received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the College of Charleston. Matthews went on to complete a J.D. at the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1986. While a law student, she was a member of the Law Review, the Moot Court Bar, and the National Moot Court Team.


Prior to joining the bench, she was a partner in the litigation section at Andrews Kurth, LLP, where she handled complex business litigation as well as personal injury cases. She is board certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.


Matthews also taught trial advocacy as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center.


She is a past president of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists and a graduate of Leadership Texas (2005).


When not presiding over legal matters, Matthews enjoys running, cooking, architecture, and spending time with her family.


She is a Republican.

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