Shams Merchant is an associate attorney at Paranjpe Mahadass Ruemke LLP and represents plaintiffs in complex commercial litigation, mass torts and class actions, and personal injury litigation. 

During law school, Shams worked on multiple complex litigation and high-stakes cases representing plaintiffs and defendants that were extensively covered by local and national media. He worked at one of the largest real estate law firms in Texas and at one of Houston’s top litigation boutiques, where he helped represent over 500 plaintiffs in a ground-breaking intentional flood lawsuit against a large petrochemical company. After law school, he worked at a national defense litigation firm with offices across the gulf and east coasts before joining PMR Law to exclusively represent plaintiffs. 

He received his degree in finance from the University of Houston Bauer College of Business, where he graduated magna cum laude. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center, where he was a top student and made the highest grade in a law school class (and often one of the highest grades in his classes). He competed in advocacy competitions as a quarter- and semi-finalist and received numerous scholarships for his academic achievements. 

Shams is passionate about representing individuals and businesses in their complex commercial litigation and injury lawsuits. He is committed to winning every case–every time–and driven to achieve success for his clients from beginning to end. Shams believes a good trial lawyer is compassionate, dedicated, skillful, and hungry. 

In his spare time, Shams enjoys writing, running, and spending time with family and friends.

Bar Admissions

Texas

Education

University of Houston Law Center, J.D.

– Highest Grade in a Law School Class

– Highest Grade in a Law School Class Assignment

– Student with the Only A Grade in a Law School Class

– Blakely-Butler Moot Court Competition, quarter-finalist 

– Tom Newhouse Mediation Competition, semi-finalist

University of Houston, B.B.A., Magna Cum Laude

Major: Finance

Areas of Practice

Complex Civil/Commercial Litigation and Class Actions

Personal Injury 

Medical Malpractice

Premises Liability 

Products Liability 

Litigation Percentage

100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Honors and Awards

Houston Bar Association Real Estate Law Section Scholarship 

Houston Bar Association Construction Law Section Scholarship 

Professional Associations and Memberships

Houston Trial Lawyers Association

South Asian Bar Association of Houston

Houston Young Lawyers Association

State Bar of Texas – Litigation Section

Houston Bar Association