Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the appointment of a new first assistant in what appears to be an office shake-up. Paxton appointed Jeff Mateer to be the new first assistant. He replaces former First Assistant Chip Roy who served in that capacity since the beginning of Paxton’s administration.
Chip Roy resigned to pursue other endeavors, according to a statement obtained by Breitbart Texas. While he was at the OAG, Roy managed over nine lawsuits against President Obama and his administration, supported the appeals for Texas House Bill 2 which was argued at the U.S. Supreme Court this past week, and was credited with leading the fight against human trafficking in the Lone Star State.
Mateer comes from First Liberty Institute where he has served as General Counsel. The website of the institute states that its mission is to “fight to secure religious freedom for clients of all faiths whose religious liberty has been threatened, including Christians, Jews, and Native American Indians. Our legal team has argued and won cases at every judicial level, including the United States Supreme Court.” In that capacity, Mateer oversaw and directed the legal team at First Liberty Institute.
“The addition of Jeff Mateer as First Assistant Attorney General will have immediate impact on the agency with positive long-term effects that will strengthen our work for Texas for generations,” the Texas AG said about his new first assistant. “Jeff brings a wealth of real-world experience as a seasoned trial and appellate attorney with broad and varied litigation experience spanning over 25 years of legal practice.”
Edwin Meese, 75th Attorney General of the United States, joined the Texas attorney general in supporting the appointment of Mateer. “Having worked with Jeff Mateer on major legal issues, I am pleased to learn that he is joining Ken Paxton’s fine staff, where I know he will do an excellent job,” Meese said.
Mateer’s former boss, Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of First Liberty Institute said, “I congratulate Jeff on his new opportunity but we will miss his unwavering commitment to excellence in and out of the courtroom.”
Former Texas Supreme Court Justice Raul Gonzalez said, “Jeff is an excellent attorney with an incredible track record of success.” Justice Gonzalez said he had “the honor to serve with Jeff as co-counsel in a recent litigation matter and observed firsthand his superb litigation strategy, tactics and skills.”
Texas grassroots leaders were also quick to praise the appointment of Mateer. Texas Values’ Johathan Saenz said, “We extend We extend congratulations to Jeff Mateer on being named First Assistant Attorney General for Texas under General Ken Paxton. Jeff is one of finest lawyers in our state and he will serve the people and General Paxton well.”
The Texas Eagle Forum also extended their congratulations to Mateer saying, “The Texas Attorney General has made an excellent choice in this appointment.
Prior to joining First Liberty Institute, Mateer was in private litigation practice with the Dallas law firm of Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, LLP and with small litigation firms for nearly two decades.
During his career, Mateer has represented clients ranging from large international organizations as well as local businesses, schools, ministries, churches and individuals. He has appeared in complex federal and state court actions involving religious liberty, civil rights, employment, intellectual property and business matters. He has tried numerous jury and bench trials in both federal and state courts. He has also successfully argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and Texas appellate courts.
Mateer received his undergraduate degree from Dickinson College where he graduated with honors in 1987. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University where he graduated with honors in 1990.
The new First Assistant is licensed to practice law by the state of Texas and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal, and all Texas state and federal district courts.
Lana Shadwick is a writer and legal analyst for Breitbart Texas. She has served as an associate judge and prosecutor. Follow her on Twitter @LanaShadwick2
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