ABOUT

Matthew J. Thomas is the founding member of Matthew Thomas Law, PLLC.  Over the years, Mr. Thomas has earned a reputation for being one of the best military defense attorneys in the country because of his successes litigating and trying some of the most highly publicized military cases in the nation.  Mr. Thomas focuses on defending clients at court-martials, as well as, administrative separation hearings in the military justice system.  Mr. Thomas also represents clients facing state and federal criminal charges in North Carolina. The extensive legal experience Mr. Thomas gained in the United States Marine Corps and in the state & federal court systems compelled him to pursue a career defending his clients’ rights and ensuring they get a favorable outcome no matter the crimes alleged.

What sets Mr. Thomas apart is that he has experience from every angle in the courtroom and the ability to try any case that comes across his desk. Before starting his private practice, Mr. Thomas spent his entire career on active duty trying court-martials and conducting administrative separation hearings in the U.S. Marine Corps.  As a Defense Counsel, Mr. Thomas successfully defended Marines in contested criminal trials who were acquitted of serious charges, including rape, sexual assault, aggravated assault, felony-level drug distribution and other military specific offenses. Mr. Thomas’ successes did not go unnoticed.  In 2021, Mr. Thomas was nominated as “Defense Counsel of the Year” for the Eastern Region and eventually was named the “Defense Counsel of the Year,” for the entire United States Marine Corps.  Mr. Thomas’ exploits weren’t limited to criminal court-martials either.  Mr. Thomas also served as first chair counsel on more than 75 administrative separation boards and boards of inquiry.  All in all, Mr. Thomas’ unique skill set enables him to represent a wide span of clients.

Mr. Thomas also built a tremendous reputation as a preeminent security clearance lawyer.  He has successfully represented clients facing security clearance denials, suspensions and revocations before the National Security Agency (NSA), Department of State, Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense (Defense Counter Intelligence Security Agency (DCSA)) and Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA)). This success caught the attention of other attorneys in the security clearance community. As a result, Mr. Thomas was nominated and selected as a member of the Security Clearance Lawyer's Association (SCLA). SCLA is an elite group of lawyers that are experienced in representing applicants in a wide range of security clearance matters.

Before becoming a commissioned Marine Corps officer, Mr. Thomas served as an Attorney-Advisor for the Honorable John E. Sparks at the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. The United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) exercises worldwide appellate jurisdiction over members of the armed forces and other persons subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. At CAAF, Mr. Thomas zeroed in on the mistakes that military attorneys made that cost their clients the ability to successfully appeal.

Mr. Thomas has spent a significant amount of time in state courts as well. Mr. Thomas served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Angela Eaves in the Circuit Court for Harford County. Mr. Thomas acted as the jury bailiff for every trial Judge Eaves presided over during his clerkship allowing him to observe court and trial strategies implemented by numerous attorneys.  During his clerkship, Mr. Thomas also conducted legal research and drafted court memorandum for a variety of criminal and civil matters.

Mr. Thomas earned his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law and focused his studies on courtroom advocacy. When Mr. Thomas wasn’t in the classroom, he competed nationally for the University of Baltimore School of Law’s acclaimed National Trial Competition Team and tried cases as a prosecutor while serving as a Rule 16 attorney for Anne Arundel County. Mr. Thomas also was a Senior Staff Editor for the University of Baltimore’s Law Forum.

In his spare time, Mr. Thomas enjoys spending time with his family and is a member of Catalyst Church in Jacksonville, NC. He also volunteers with local recovery programs that provide help to those struggling with addiction in the Jacksonville area.  

Honors, Awards, Memberships

2021 United States Marine Corps “Defense Counsel of the Year” – Nation

2021 United States Marine Corps “Defense Counsel of the Year” – Eastern Region

2022 Security Clearance Lawyers Association

Education

“Forensic Science Criminal Law Course” - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) -  Graduate

“Cross Examination Course” - National Criminal Defense College (NCDC)- - Graduate

“Bridging the Gap Mitigation Course” - North Carolina Indigent Defense Services and Office of the Capitol Defender

University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D., May 2015

• National Trial Competition, Team Captain 2014-2015,

• Nation Trial Competition (2015 Washington, D.C.) – Regional Semi-Finalist

• Law Forum, Senior Staff Editor

• Delegate Michael Hough’s Legislative Scholarship, Recipient

• Delegate Kathy Afzali’s Legislative Scholarship, Recipient

• Senator Ronald Young’s Legislative Scholarship, Recipient

Towson University, 2012

• Pre- Law Society

• Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honors Fraternity)

• Towson Athletic Academic Wall of Fame, 2010 - 2011

• Varsity Men’s Lacrosse 2008-2012

• Iron Tiger & Weight Room Captain 2010-2010

Military Education

• 2021 Sustaining Operational Law Training - Attendee

• 2020 Navy & Marine Corps Defense Services Organization Worldwide Training

• 2020 Regional Defense Counsel Training - attendee

• Navy & Marine Corps Defending Sexual Assault Course - Graduate

• Regional Defense Counsel Spring & Winter 2019 Training – attendee

• Basic Trial Advocacy Course - Graduate

• 2019 Navy & Marine Corps Defense Services Organization Worldwide Training

• Naval Justice School – graduate

• Legal Officer Course – attendee

• Regional Trial Counsel 2018 Spring Quarterly Training – attendee

• Military Justice Act 2016 Course

• Marine Corps – The Basic School

Speaking Engagements

• Objection! When, How, & Why - Course Instructor - USMC Senior Defense Counsel Training - Summer, 2022

• Witness & Victim Interviews - Course Instructor – USMC Regional Defense Counsel Training, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina - Summer, 2022

• False Confessions - Course Instructor - USMC Regional Defense Counsel Training, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina - Winter, 2021

• Case Preparation & Interviews - Course Instructor - USMC Regional Defense Counsel Training, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina - Fall 2021

• Alcohol and Drug Testing and Monitoring - Course Instructor - USMC Regional Defense Counsel Training, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina - Summer 2020