Sebastian Portilla has worked the firm’s federal and state criminal docket since 2025, first as a law clerk and now as a lawyer.
He works with Kent Schaffer on federal criminal defense and government investigations, and represents individuals and businesses in the firm’s commercial litigation. His work covers every stage of a case: preparing for hearings and trial, drafting motions, and working directly with clients.
Experience
Sebastian has been working on criminal cases since May 2024, when he began as a law clerk at the Javier O. Martinez Law Firm, a Houston criminal defense practice. He joined Schaffer Kennedy Johnson as a law clerk in May 2025, while still in law school, and has practiced with the firm as a lawyer since his admission to the State Bar of Texas in October 2026. His federal work has included healthcare fraud, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and drug conspiracy cases.
Sebastian learned federal practice alongside Kent Schaffer and the firm’s other defense lawyers, in their case files and in the courtroom. Because of that experience, he approaches each case with a clear understanding of how federal prosecutions develop and where the strongest defenses are found. He brings that same level of preparation to every client he represents.
Education and admissions
Sebastian earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from South Texas College of Law Houston in 2026, graduating in the top 10% of his class. He was a Presidential Fellow and received the Dean Merit Scholarship and the Sam and Ruth Gross Memorial Scholarship. He was named to the Dean’s Honor List every semester and earned CALI Awards for the highest grade in Constitutional Law, Federal Income Taxation, First Amendment Seminar, Contract Building Blocks, and Advanced Legal Skills. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi and the Hispanic Law Students Association.
He competed in moot court as a brief writer and oralist through the advocacy program at South Texas College of Law Houston, and served on its Board of Advocates.
He holds a B.A. in Politics and Law from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in October 2026.