Fighting for a Cause

Matthew J. Shiroma loves a good fight. As a partner in Day Pitney's Insurance and Reinsurance Disputes practice group, Shiroma thrives on being front and center, arguing on behalf of his clients in complex litigation cases. Among the most memorable, he helped an insurance company obtain a summary judgment in a multimillion-dollar construction defect action in New York Supreme Court and drafted the appellate briefing confirming that judgment.

But being a successful litigator isn't just about winning motions and beating opponents. Through his many mentors, Shiroma has learned that being a successful attorney means "always being honest with your clients, even when the advice isn't what they want to hear," as he says, and "knowing which fights are worth fighting." More importantly, he explains, it means being a person of integrity and "respecting the legal profession that I love."

His father, a businessman in the Washington, D.C., area, emphasized the importance of treating others with dignity and respect. "My father instilled in me that you can never get your integrity back. Once you give it away, it's gone forever," he says. Shiroma has held on to that lesson at Day Pitney, in dealings with other attorneys and in the legal community at large.

Another mentor is The Honorable Michael P. Shea of the United States District Court of Connecticut. When Judge Shea joined the federal bench in 2013, he asked Shiroma to serve as one of his first law clerks. Shiroma took a leave from his practice to take advantage of the opportunity, which included drafting rulings on motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment, supporting Judge Shea during trial, and managing the Judge's caseload. "Judge Shea has been an invaluable mentor to me," says Shiroma. "He has taught me so much, particularly the importance of service, duty and giving back to the justice system."

Shiroma has taken the lessons he learned from his many mentors to advance the interests of his litigation clients. At the same time, he has increased his profile as a litigator. He now represents some of the firm's most prestigious clients.

"Matt is an incredibly important member of our team," says Mitchell Harris, Chair of the Insurance and Reinsurance Disputes practice group. "He's an enthusiastic, bright and hardworking lawyer who rises to each and every challenge."

Always ready to fight for his clients, Shiroma is also quick to jump in for causes he believes in. One of these causes is improving diversity in the legal profession. As an Asian-American law student, Shiroma participated in the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity at the University of Connecticut School of Law. That experience began a commitment to diversity that Shiroma advances today as a member of Day Pitney's Diversity & Inclusion Committee, serving on the Day Pitney Attorneys of Color Leadership Committee and as a member of the Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

Shiroma is also deeply committed to his alma maters, including serving as an Alumni Interviewer for Swarthmore College and as an Alumni Mentor for the University of Connecticut School of Law.

INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE

University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D., 2008

Swarthmore College, B.A., 2005

Admissions: Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts