The National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (NAOPIA) has recognized Dallas attorney R. Matthew Stewart with its Top 10 Attorney Award for Excellence in the Field of Personal Injury for 2026. This prestigious award places Stewart among less than 1 percent of attorneys nationwide who receive this annual recognition based on their professional experience, education, track record, and peer reviews.
As a partner and shareholder at Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., Stewart has been representing Dallas-Fort Worth residents in personal injury and Social Security disability claims for over 25 years. The NAOPIA selection process involves rigorous multi-step evaluation, with the organization finding that Stewart's compassionate yet aggressive legal representation made him deserving of this honor. The National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (https://www.naopia.org) is an organization devoted to recognizing the top personal injury attorneys in the nation through stringent selection criteria.
This recognition matters because it highlights the importance of experienced legal representation in personal injury cases, where outcomes can significantly impact individuals' lives and financial stability. For clients seeking legal assistance, such awards provide an objective measure of attorney quality and success rates. The legal industry increasingly relies on third-party validations like the NAOPIA awards to distinguish exceptional practitioners in competitive markets.
Stewart's educational background includes a Juris Doctor from Texas A&M University School of Law, a Master of Arts in history from the University of North Texas, and a Bachelor of Arts in history and philosophy from the same institution. His historical research thesis is part of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (https://www.ushmm.org) research collection in Washington, D.C., which he credits with developing his analytical skills crucial to legal practice.
Beyond his legal work, Stewart contributes to community organizations including the Bone Bash Event Committee for the Arthritis Foundation and the North Texas Food Bank. These civic efforts earned him the Outstanding Service Award from the North Dallas Bar Association in 2015. His professional memberships include the American Bar Association, Dallas Bar Association, and Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, which help him stay current with legal developments.
The implications of this recognition extend beyond individual achievement to reflect on the broader legal community in Texas. As personal injury law becomes increasingly complex, awards like NAOPIA's help consumers identify attorneys with proven track records. For Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. (https://www.kraftlaw.com), which has served Dallas since 1971, this recognition reinforces their position as a firm with nationally recognized legal talent. Stewart's additional honors include a "Superb" 10.0 Avvo Rating, Marquis Who's Who 2024 Honored Listee designation, and Top 10 Dallas Car Accident Lawyers 2025 recognition from TrustAnalytica.
