SHAWN A. GOFORTH, ESQ.

PRACTICE AREAS
PIP Defense, Professional Liability Defense


YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
15+ Years

BIOGRAPHY OVERVIEW
What Makes Shawn A. Goforth Uniquely Qualified To Represent You? 

Shawn A. Goforth is an experienced trial attorney licensed to practice in all state courts of Florida and the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. Shawn graduated in 2006 from Stetson University College of Law receiving his Juris Doctor Degree and a Certificate of Concentration in Advocacy. He earned his undergraduate degree from Troy State University (Montgomery) with a Bachelor of Science (Political Science) (magna cum laude).

He is also a veteran and earned his undergraduate degree while serving as a paralegal instructor at The Judge Advocate General’s School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Shawn’s final duty station. After earning his Juris Doctor Degree, Shawn accepted a position at the 13th Judicial Circuit’s Public Defender’s Office (Tampa), where he gained valuable trial experience by conducting criminal jury and non-jury trials in the misdemeanor, juvenile, and felony divisions. 

In 2009, he became a Division Chief and began training and supervising countless attorneys in developing the trial skills for the next generation of trial lawyers. Shawn went on to earn his Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law garnering recognition as an expert by the Florida Bar – an honor and distinction held by only a small fraction of attorneys.

In 2018, Shawn expanded his litigation career into the civil trial arena by transitioning into personal injury law in Bradenton, Florida.

Career Summary

  • 15+ Years

  • PIP Defense, Professional Liability Defense

  • Troy State University

    Stetson College of Law

What Clients Are Saying

“I wanted to tell you again that yesterday’s result was outstanding. Your strategy of trying this case against Burnetti was spot on, and the application of the strategy was flawless. A net zero verdict on a clear liability case, starting at $180k in specials in retrospect is incredible. I have to say that yesterday would have to be the high point of my litigation part of my job. I told you I have sat through at least 12 trials at least, and have had a large number of good results. Given the facts of this case yours was phenomenal, In all other cases, I tried in the past we had something positive to work with. This one was just the Scarborough clinic on trial lawyering. It was a pleasure to watch it.”

  • Larry E.

Butch Mathenia
Attorney

  • Founder
    Matthew C. Scarborough is the managing partner of Scarborough Attorneys At Law which he has operated since its inception in 2001. Mr. Scarborough has exclusively practiced in the Insurance Defense arena for the past 23 years since being admitted to the Florida Bar in 1992. He is a graduate of Stetson University (B.B.A. Marketing, 1989) and the University Of Miami School Of Law (J.D. 1992)

  • Attorney
    Originally from Tampa, Florida, Amy Lee joined the firm in 2018. Amy brings to the firm over three years of state and federal court litigation experience. Amy’s insurance defense and coverage experience include defending insurance carriers in commercial and general liability, personal injury, premises liability, negligent security, title insurance, and first-party property matters.

  • Attorney
    Shawn A. Goforth is an experienced trial attorney licensed to practice in all state courts of Florida and the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. Shawn graduated in 2006 from Stetson University College of Law receiving his Juris Doctor Degree and a Certificate of Concentration in Advocacy. He earned his undergraduate degree from Troy State University (Montgomery) with a Bachelor of Science (Political Science) (magna cum laude).

  • Attorney
    Butch Mathenia brings 6 years of Insurance Defense and PIP Defense experience. Mr Methenia graduated from the University of Tampa. Butch Mathenia also served in The US Army where he received numerous awards including The Bronze Star Medal, the Director of National Intelligence Award for work on Classified Projects, we well as other numerous awards and distinctions. Butch Mathenia is also a member of the American Legion Post 138 as well as the Tau Kappa Epsilon.

  • Attorney
    Ryan joined the firm in 2023. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Ryan graduated from the College of Charleston, South Carolina, with a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry. There, he served as a supplemental instructor in introductory molecular biology for biology and biochemistry majors. He also participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at the nearby Medical University of South Carolina, where he was supported by the NASA South Carolina Space Grant Consortium.

    Ryan earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oregon School of Law where he completed two judicial externships, one with the Circuit Court of Oregon for the District of Lane County, and the other with the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Eugene Division.

    Ryan became a member of the Florida Bar in 2022, and practices in the areas of first and third-party insurance defense.

  • Office Manager
    Stacy Simmons is the Office Manager and Paralegal for Scarborough Attorneys at Law. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in history. Additionally, she focuses on maintaining a positive work environment that fosters strong office relationships to encourage employee retention. Stacy is also the main point of contact for client communication and coordinates the firm’s marketing efforts including its continuing education seminars.

Stacy Simmons
Office Manager

Ryan McDermott

Ryan McDermott
Attorney