Shapiro has new sports client

As in L.A. attorney Robert Shapiro, who is representing Angels centerfielder Gary Matthews Jr. in connection with a government case involving synthetic growth hormones. Investigators allegedly found documents showing that Matthews was sent Genotropin in 2004 - and federal law prohibits possession of human growth hormones without medical supervision. But never mind that - what about Shapiro? Well, the WSJ's law blog recounts the basics: founder of LegalZoom, a Web-based legal document service, and name partner at Christensen, Glaser, Fink, Jacobs, Weil & Shapiro. Yes, that's Terry Christensen, who was indicted for allegedly conspiring to wiretap the phones of Kirk Kirkorian’s wife. Christensen pled not-guilty to the charges.

As for the Matthews case, he says he was recommended by an acquaintance of Matthews’s agent. Shapiro has represented other high-profile athletes, including former baseball players Daryl Strawberry and Jose Canseco. “I like representing athletes and [Matthews] is an athlete I like,” he says. “Plus, the issues are interesting.” “This is the first interview request I’ve granted since this matter started,” he says. “And I only called you back because you said you wouldn’t ask me about the merits of the case.”