Sean Modjarrad | شان مجرد

Sean Modjarrad is the Managing Shareholder and founder of MAS Law in Dallas, Texas. He has a diverse litigation history of more than 600 cases in Texas courts and more than 90 cases in federal courts.

Dedicating his life to fighting for justice and providing a voice for the voiceless, Sean is recognized for his expertise in civil rights law and advocacy for positive legal reform. He has represented several noteworthy cases that have led to the reinterpretation of established laws to better protect the wrongfully accused. In one such case, Good vs. The City of Irving and Detective Curtis (2006), Sean represented falsely convicted Good, who was serving a life sentence for burglary and rape, exonerating him using DNA evidence. After spending over 13 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, Good was finally freed, and a subsequent civil suitwas filed by Sean that awarded Good $1 million in damages.

Sean was featured on the Insider Exclusive story Justice In America – Delfino Garcia’s Story. Garcia, repeatedly denied his medication, died while in custody. Sean represented Garcia’s wife and children in a federal lawsuit against the county, the sheriff, and the company that managed the jail, arguing that Garcia’s civil rights had been violated under the Eight Amendment, protecting prisoners from “cruel and unusual punishment,” which includes “deliberate indifference by prison personnel to a prisoner’s serious illness or injury…” (Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97 (1976)).

In addition to his profound role in protecting civil rights, Sean has been a part of many high-profile cases, such as litigating and securing the ownership of the Millennium Sapphire for his client. Discovered in Madagascar in 1995, the sapphire is one of the most documented gemstones of modern time and the world’s largest engraved sapphire at 61,500 carats.

Sean earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of North Texas. Afterwards, he attended Samford University where, in three years, Sean earned his Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law and two master’s degrees from the Brock School of Business: a Master of Accountancy and a Master of Business Administration.

Upon passing the Texas Bar, Sean founded his own law practice Modjarrad & Associates, Professional Corporation in 2000. Associate Nazeh Abusaad joined the successful practice in 2002, later becoming a shareholder in 2003. Similarly, Mohammad Said joined the firm in 2006 and became a shareholder in 2012. Shortly after, Modjarrad changed the firm’s common name, now operating as MAS Law.

MAS Law is a results-oriented law firm that offers a full range of legal services to individuals, businesses, and professionals operating across Texas and throughout the nation. The firm focuses on personal injury, business and corporate law, and civil litigation.

Admitted to practice in Texas, Sean represents clients before the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. A Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, he maintains professional affiliations with the College of the State Bar of Texas, the Dallas Bar Association, the American Bar Association, Iranian American Bar Association, and the Greater Dallas Iranian American Chamber of Commerce.

AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale – Hubbell, Sean’s legal work has won him several prestigious awards and distinctions. He has been selected to Super Lawyers (2014-2023), effectively ranking him in the top 5 percent of lawyers in Texas. In 2014, 2015, and 2016, Sean was named one of D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas.” He has also been recognized as Premier 100 by the American Academy of Trial Attorneys, Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, and Lifetime Achievement by America’s Top 100 Attorneys. In 2022, Sean was recognized as 2022 Attorney of the Year by the Top 100 Registry.

Beginning in 2013, Sean has shared his passion for law with the next generation by teaching Race and Law and 1983 Civil Rights as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Dallas. Through his course, students examine the development of civil rights law and how social beliefs and ideologies are reflected and reproduced in society through legislation and judicial precedent. Additionally, Sean sits on the Advisory Board at his law school, Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, and serves as a board member for UNT College of Law’s Visitors Board.

As a business owner and founding member of the Iranian American Chamber of Commerce in Dallas, Sean understands the importance small businesses have on the prosperity of a community. This awareness led him to apply his entrepreneurial acumen by investing in many small businesses around the Dallas area, providing them with the knowledge and experience he gained through years of owning and operating his law firm. Sean’s investments have provided start-up and growth financing, creating successful businesses that have developed new sources of income for impoverished areas.

Sean’s admirable commitment to the Dallas area gave rise to the creation of the MAS Law Community Outreach Program; through this, Sean’s charities foster positive change and his award programs highlight exceptional individuals within the community. Recently, Sean’s philanthropic endeavors have been recognized due to the success of initiatives such as the MASter Teacher Award, a program that recognizes selfless educators whose creativity and dedication have helped the community work towards a brighter future.

Revered for his exceptional tenacity, diligence, and forward thinking, Sean has proven to be a pioneer in his field. His commitment to his clients and community have provided the merit necessary to plant himself as a figurehead within the legal profession, giving people the hope they need, both inside and outside the courtroom.

Admission Dates and Jurisdictions

• State Bar of Texas
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• United States District Court for Western District of Texas
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Education

• University of North Texas
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• Brock School of Business, Samford University
• Master of Business Administration
• Cumberland School of Law, Samford University of Juris Doctor

Awards

• Top 100 Registry
• Top 100 Lawyers, 2022 Attorney of the Year
• National Association of Distinguished Counsel
• Nation’s Top One Percent
• America’s Top 100 Attorneys
• Top 100 Attorneys,  Lifetime Achievement
• Super Lawyers
• 2014 – 2023 Texas Super Lawyers
• The National Trial Lawyers
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers – Plaintiff Attorneys
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers – Civil Plaintiff
• American Academy of Trial Attorneys
• Premier 100 Attorneys

Avvo

• Top-Rated Lawyer
• 10/10 Top Attorney Rating

Martindale – Hubbell

• AV Preeminent: Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence

TopVerdict

• Top 100 Personal Injury Verdicts in Texas in 2019

D Magazine

• 2014 – 2016 Best Lawyers in Dallas

Attorney at Law Magazine

• Attorney of the Month

Texas Monthly

• 2014 – 2021 Top Attorneys in Texas

North Texas Asian Democrats

• 2016 Progressive Achievement Award

Associations

• State Bar of Texas
• Fellow of Texas Bar Foundation
• Member of the College of the State Bar of Texas
• Dallas Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Iranian American Bar Association
• Greater Dallas Iranian American Chamber of Commerce
• America’s Top 100 Attorneys
• American Academy of Trial Attorneys
• American Top Attorneys
• National Association of Distinguished Counsel
• Super Lawyers
• National Trial Lawyers
• Member of the Advisory Board of Cumberland School of Law
• Beta Alpha Psi – National Accounting Fraternity

Press

Sean has been featured in numerous magazine articles and publications that have highlighted his impressive legal career as well as his community involvement:

• “Sean Modjarrad: Fighting for Justice. Fighting for the Underdog,” Attorney at Law Magazine, February 2018.
• “Modjarrad Abusaad Said Law Firm,” Newsweek, 2017.
• “Best Lawyers in Dallas,” D Magazine, 2016.
• “Best Lawyers in Dallas,” D Magazine, 2015.
• “Best Lawyers in Dallas,” D Magazine, 2014.
• “Communities Across the Nation Benefit from the Work of Cumberland Lawyers,”Cumberland Lawyer, Winter 2013.

Speaking Engagements

Since 2012, Sean has been invited to guest speak on the matter of civil rights law. In addition, heregularly hosts fundraising, charity, and instructional events. Sean frequently returns to his alma matter, Samford University, to speak to students regarding civil rights law, the legal profession, and judicial ethics.

A few notable speaking engagements include:

• “Diversity Issues in the MDL Space,” Baylor MDL Judicial Summit, June 20, 2023.
• “Starting Your Own Law Practice,” Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, 2015.
• “Judicial Ethics – From the Practicing Lawyer’s Standpoint,” Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, 2015.
• “How to Find a Legal Job Outside Alabama,” Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, 2015.
• “Overview and Impact of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA),” Greater Dallas Iranian-American Chamber of Commerce Meeting, February 2014.
• “Effectively Presenting Your Case,” Dallas Minority Attorney Program, 2012.

Publications

Publications by Sean, such as “Hartman v. Hartman: Is Parental Immunity Recognized?” American Journal of Trial Advocacy, 1998, have brought much needed insight to the legal profession and have been cited on multiple occasions. Additionally, his informative articles in Shahrvand have proven to be a valuable resource for topical, important issues like voting and COVID-19.

Several notable articles written by Sean include:

• “Who is Responsible for the Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico?” Shahrvand Dallas, December 2021.
• “What Do Employers Need to Know in Dealing with COVID-19?” Shahrvand Dallas, June2020.
• “Impeachment,” Shahrvand Dallas, December 2019.
• “Sexual Harassment at the Work Place: What You Need to Know,” Shahrvand Dallas, October 2019.
• “Your Vote Matters,” Shahrvand Dallas, October 2019.
• “Margin Tax: How Much More do You Have To Pay?” M&A Law Firm, 2007.
• “Business Organizations in the State of Texas,” M&A Law Firm, 2004.
• “Hartman v. Hartman: Is Parental Immunity Recognized?” American Journal of Trial Advocacy, 1998.

Films

Modjarrad is the executive producer on several award-winning films. For many of them, Modjarrad uses his knowledge of civil rights law and experience gained as an attorney to provide satirical, well-informed takes on topical and legal subjects.

In 2021, Modjarrad partnered with Director Brent Duncan to create the Winners. The film depicts “an ambitious young attorney wander[ing] through a corrupt system in his efforts to win an insurance settlement for his first client” and has garnered nationwide praise.

The Winners has appeared at numerous film festivals around the country, winning the following awards:

• Best Featured Film, Delco Film Festival
• Best Comedy Feature, MOM Comedy Standup and Film Festival
• Audience Choice, MOM Comedy Standup and Film Festival
• Best Comedy, JXN Film Festival
• Best Comedy Feature Film, Urban Mediamakers Film Festival
• MarCom Platinum Award honoring excellence in marketing and communication, MarCom Awards
• Gold Viddy Award honoring video excellence, Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP)

On October 25, 2022, The Winners was featured on the Kelly Talk Show, where Director Brent Duncan was interviewed about the making of the film, its continued success, and working with Modjarrad.

2020 Sucks: The Movie, a short film created by Modjarrad and Director Brent Duncan, is Modjarrad’s first foray into the film industry and examines the 2020 pandemic through a comedic yet critical lens. The film has received worldwide acclaim, with its related material receiving over a quarter million views on YouTube.