About Matthew Shea

pic Matthew Shea is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Gonzaga University ROTC, with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. He served four and a half years in the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment as a Cavalry Platoon Leader, including an eight month tour in Bosnia-Herzegovina. While going to lawschool he served another four and a half years in 1-161st Infantry, Washington Army National Guard, as an Infantry Company Commander, which included an eleven month combat tour in Iraq. Matt graduated Cum Laude from Gonzaga University School of Law in May, 2006, and is currently practicing at Keith S. Douglas and Associates, L.L.P., in Spokane, Washington. He is admitted to practice in Washington, the Eastern Washington Federal District Court, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is also an allied attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) a national network of attorneys dedicated to preserving religious freedom. Currently he is "quarterbacking" the ADF and American Legion Defense of Veterans' Memorial Project for the State of Washington. The project seeks to preserve religious symbols on Veterans' Memorials and headstones. Matthew is also the co-founder and executive director for Washington Family Foundation, a non-profit organization promoting and protecting families by bringing the Judeo-Christian ethic back to the public forum.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT MATT SHEA


BACKGROUND
  • Matt Shea's family has lived in Eastern Washington for four generations.
  • His family ran the first stagecoach, as the story goes, from Walla Walla to Colville, Washington.
  • Matt grew up in Spokane Valley attending both Pasadena and Ponderosa elementary schools.
  • Prior to graduating "cum Laude" from Gonzaga Law School, Matt earned both his BA in History and Political Science from Gonzaga University while completing ROTC.

DISTINGUISHED MILITARY CAREER
  • Matt Shea has served his country in the United States Army with two combat tours overseas, including eight months in Bosnia as a platoon leader, and eleven months in Baghdad, Iraq, as a company commander.
  • Matt was awarded both a Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal, among many other awards and commendations.
  • Matt began his Military service as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Gonzaga in 1996, and finished in the top 3 of his Officer Basic Course class.
  • Currently Matt is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and current member of the American Legion.

OTHER LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
  • Matt Shea is the co-founder of The Washington Family Foundation, where he currently acts as Executive Director.
  • Matt is also an allied attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), a national network of attorneys dedicated to preserving religious freedom.
  • Seeking to preserve religious symbols on Veterans memorials and headstones, Matt Shea is also currently "quarterbacking" the ADF/American Legion Defense of Veterans Memorial Project for Washington State.