Sylvia Matthews’ vast experience as an arbitrator, judge, and trial lawyer make her well-suited to resolve a wide variety of disputes.  

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Experience:

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• Arbitrator, 2019 - present

Handled over 50 arbitrations (as solo, panel chair, or panel member)

Member, American Arbitration Association Roster (Commercial/Healthcare/Energy)              

Member, Judicial Workplace Arbitrations Inc. List

• Judge of the 281st District Court, 2008-2018

Presided over more than 175 civil jury trials and 160 bench trials

Elected by fellow civil judges to serve for two years as the Administrative Judge of the Board of Civil District Judges 

• Visiting Judge, 2019 – present

Continues to serve as a visiting judge across the state of Texas

• MDL Judge, currently appointed to preside over five multi-district litigation cases (including an environmental case alleging soil and water contamination; commercial and personal injury claims from Winter Storm Uri and the associated electricity outage; first-party insurance cases alleging underpayment of property insurance claims; and personal injury allegations from a gas release at an oil refinery).

• Special Master, appointed to manage discovery disputes in a pipeline construction case.

• Former litigation partner, Andrews Kurth LLP (now Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP)

• Board certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

• Former President, Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists (“TACTAS”)

 

Honors:

• Recipient of 2018 HBA President’s Award for exemplary service and leadership through Hurricane Harvey

• Recipient of 2017 HBA President’s Award for outstanding service as co-chair of the Administration of Justice Committee

 

Education:

• J.D., The University of South Carolina School of Law. Member of the Law Review, the Moot Court Bar, and the National Moot Court Team

• B.S., cum laude, The College of Charleston (mathematics)

 

Personal: 

Married to Murray Fogler.

Enjoys theater, architecture, running, and spending time with her husband and family.

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