I am a native Houstonian, who has been practicing law for the past 23 years and during that time I have represented individuals in many areas of civil disputes. My service as a mediator uniquely qualifies me to bring my mediation skills to the forefront in resolving civil disputes. I have also been a sustaining member of the Harris County Democratic Party for many years.

I graduated from Bellaire High School in 1970 and I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arizona in 1974. Following my graduation from college I worked in local and state government in Austin before deciding to attend law school at the South Texas College of Law here in Houston. I graduated from South Texas in 1984 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree and then began my legal career as an associate with the law firm of Houssiere & Durant. In 1990 I opened my own law office as a sole practitioner and I continue today in that practice. Soon after I opened my law office I received basic and advanced mediator training from the Attorney-Mediators Institute and expandeded my practice to include mediation of civil disputes.

I have maintained several important leadership positions focusing on legal and societal issues. I have served on committees of the State Bar of Texas (including chairing a local grievance committee) and the Houston Bar Association as well as leading the Houston Trial Lawyers Association as its President from 1998 to 1999. Following my term as president of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association I served as President of the Houston Trials Lawyers Foundation. I have also served as President of the South Texas College of Law Alumni Association from 1991 to 1993 and I presently serve on the Southwest Regional Board of the Anti-Defamation League.

I have also been honored by my peers in the legal community by receiving an AV rating, the highest rating in competence and ethics possible, from Martindale-Hubble, a rating service that solicits ratings from other attorneys in the legal community.

My strong commitment to community service is reflected in my volunteerism and work at the Kennedy Elementary School, Beth Yeshurun Day School and Kolter Elementary School as well as managing my sons' baseball teams in the Braes Bayou and Westbury Little Leagues.

I have lectured on medical-legal issues as well as hosted a radio talk show from 1997 to 1998 here in Houston.

I have been married to Jo Ann Weiss Schaffer (also a local attorney) for 20 years and we have three children: Michael who is 16 years old and Shelly and Alex who are 9 years old. The Schaffers are members of Congregation Emanu El.