Matthew Schaefer - Portland, ME
Attorney at SchaeferLaw, LLC
State and Local Tax Law Lawyers in Portland, ME
P.O. Box 28 Portland, ME 04112
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
32
Years
Experience
Portland State and Local Tax Law Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- State and Local Tax Law
- Appellate Practice
- Contract Law
- Dispute Resolution And Litigation
- Pro Bono And Asylum
Attorney Information
Overview
Attorney Matthew P. Schaefer is the founder of SchaeferLaw, LLC, in Portland, Maine. A practicing lawyer for more than 30 years, he has extensive experience with state and local tax law, appellate practice, and contract law. He serves clients based in Maine and throughout the United States.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Schaefer has appeared before state and federal courts, and administrative tribunals, and has been involved in many noteworthy cases. Additionally, he has authored 10 briefs submitted to the Supreme Court of the United States and appeared as co-counsel in two cases before the court. He serves a diverse client base comprised of businesses in many different industries.
Mr. Schaefer is passionate about providing pro bono representation whenever he can. Illustrating his commitment to pro bono service, in 2011 Pine Tree Legal Assistance acknowledged him for providing the highest number of pro bono services in Androscoggin County, Maine, and in 2020 the Maine Supreme Judicial Court recognized him for his pro bono activities.
Mr. Schaefer is actively involved in the American Bar Association. He serves as Associate Editor-in-Chief, State and Local Tax for the association's publication The Tax Lawyer and belongs to the Section of Taxation and the State and Local Tax Executive Committee. He is also a member of the Maine State Bar Association and volunteers his time within the state on various civic matters.
In 1991, Mr. Schaefer graduated with high honors from Swarthmore College. He subsequently graduated magna cum laude from Cornell Law School in 1994. He is qualified to appear before all Maine and Massachusetts state courts, several federal district and circuit courts, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- An award given for pro bono service , Katahdin Counsel, Maine Supreme Judicial Court , 2020
- Super Lawyers
Other Sources of Feedback About Matthew Schaefer
Included on the 2026 New England Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 New England Super Lawyers list
- 2024 New England Super Lawyers list
- 2023 New England Super Lawyers list
- 2022 New England Super Lawyers list
- 2021 New England Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Cornell Law School,
Ithaca,
New York
Honors: magna cum laude
-
Cornell Law School,
Ithaca,
New York
-
Non Legal Education
-
Swarthmore College,
Swarthmore,
Pennsylvania
B.A.
Honors: With High Honors
-
Swarthmore College,
Swarthmore,
Pennsylvania
Pro Bono Activities
- Katahdin Counsel, recognized by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court for pro bono service, 2020
- Recognized by Pine Tree Legal Services for the most pro bono hours among attorneys in Androscoggin County, ME, 2011
Representative Cases
-
South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., 138 S.Ct. 2080
- Year: 2018
-
Direct Marketing Ass’n v. Brohl, 575 U.S. 1
- Year: 2015
-
Crutchfield Corp. v. Testa
- Year: 2016
-
Performance Marketing Ass’n v. Hamer
- Year: 2013
Bar Admissions
- United States Supreme Court, 2014
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2011
- U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 2011
- U.S. District Court District of Colorado, 2010
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2007
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2005
- U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 2004
- U.S. District Court District of Maine, 2001
- U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 1995
- Maine, 1994
- Massachusetts, 1994
Contact
P.O. Box 28
Portland, ME 04112
Phone: 207-543-3668
Email: Send a message
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Disclaimer
Your Profile? Update Now
When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.
How do I choose a lawyer?
Consider the following:
- Comfort Level – Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?
- Credentials – How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?
- Cost – How are the lawyer's fees structured — hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?
- City – Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?
Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?
Here are a few to get you started:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases like mine have you handled?
- How often do you settle cases out of court?
- What are your fees and costs?
- What are the next steps?
Want to check lawyer discipline?
It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:
- Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
- Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
- Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.