Prof. Mathew N Schmalz
Worcester, MA 01610
Office: 508-793-2557
Mat Schmalz is a professor Religious Studies at the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts. He has a Ph.D. in History of Religions from the University of Chicago and over 25 years of experience, with over one hundred publications to his credit. His areas of academic expertise are the Catholic Church and New Religious Movements or "Cults," particularly Jehovah's Witnesses and the Church of Scientology. Prof. Schmalz has a significant public profile with over 500 media appearances--with over one hundred being on radio and television. This media experience has prepared him to adapt to multiple audiences and explain issues without appearing arrogant or too "professorial." He has served as an expert witness in three (3) civil cases thus far (discrimination, wrongful termination, medical malpractice) and also has served as a pro bono consultant in criminal cases supporting both local law enforcement and indigent clients.
Prof. Schmalz believes in the First Amendment and is a religious liberty advocate for members of New Religious Movements and for all those who seek to practice their religious faith without harming others. He has argued in depositions that the term "cult" is inflammatory in legal contexts. He is also able to give background on New Religious Movements more generally. He is able to argue--clearly and persuasively--that members of New Religious Movements ("cults") are not to be feared but deserve the same legal protections as members of more mainstream groups. He is able to identify employer or employee behavior that would be considered religious "harassment" and is able to address issues concerning appropriate workplace accommodations for religious diversity. He also is able to address issues related to child abuse in New Religious Movements.
Prof. Schmalz, called "Professor Mat" by his students, also has broad expertise in issues related to Roman Catholicism worldwide. For example, he has written about the sexual abuse crisis in Catholicism and regularly comments on pressing issues for the Catholic Church in America and also worldwide. Additionally, he is an academic expert regarding Hinduism and Islam and religious liberty issues throughout the world. He is eager to support immigrants--of whatever faith--who are seeking asylum on the basis of religious persecution.
Prof. Schmalz teaches world religions and has lived in South Asia for four years. He is also able to address religious diversity issues relating to employers/employees who are Hindu and Muslim. He is fluent in Hindi and Urdu.
Prof. Schmalz is also actively engaged in Catholic/LDS (Mormon) dialogue and can address issues relating to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a non-Mormon.
Depending on the case, he will work pro bono as a consultant to local law enforcement in criminal cases and as an expert witness for indigent clients in cases relating to religious liberty, asylum, or the death penalty.
He is a practicing Catholic, married, with two daughters. Active hyperlinks links to writings and media appearances can found on his CV.
- Child Abuse
- Discrimination
- Employment
- Family Practice/Family Medicine
- Hematology
- Human Resources
- Immigration
- Medical Malpractice
- Sexual Harassment/Discrimination
- Wrongful Termination
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: 1998 Ph. D. in History of Religions, The Divinity School, The University of Chicago.
Dissertation: A Space for Redemption: Catholic Tactics in Hindu North India (UMI #9910915).
1995 M. A. in Religious Studies, The Divinity School, The University of Chicago.
1987 A. B. in Religion, Summa cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Amherst College.
- Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: American Academy of Religion
- Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: Please see my curriculum vitae. I have over 25 years of teaching experience regarding world religions (Hinduism, Islam and Christianity) and New Religious Movements (Jehovah's Witnesses and Scientology). I have had over 500 media citations and speaking engagements regarding a broad range of religious issues, including: Catholicism and Politics, New Religious Movements ("cults") and appreciating religious diversity.
- Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: I have formally been retained three (3) times. I have also advised local law enforcement pro bono.
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Workplace discrimination on the basis of religious identity; wrongful termination on the basis of religious identity; on "cult" as an inflammatory term in legal contexts; medical beliefs (blood transfusion) of Jehovah's Witnesses.
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: Once.
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: Twice.
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: Once.
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: December 10, 2024.
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: Three times.
- Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
- A: Have not been called to trial yet. Have given a deposition; the other cases settled before trial.
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: Two years.
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Consulting; document review; expert witness deposition; testimony at trial.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: $350
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: $350
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: $400 (three hour minimum)
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: $450 (three hour minimum)
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: Travel Fee: $80 per hour.
Travel Expenses: billed at direct cost
I travel economy--I'm frugal. Will need to rent a car for travel for over 100 miles distance, however, since my own car is too broken down for long trips.
James A. Sonne
Director, Religious Liberty Law Clinic
Stanford Law School
Stanford University
jsonne@law.stanford.edu
650.723.1425
Stephen Steele
Partner
Husch Blackwell LLP
1801 Wewatta Street, Suite 1000
Denver, CO 80202
stephen.steele@huschblackwell.com
303.749.7277