Born and raised in Vero Beach, Florida, Attorney Matthew M. Thomas is a relentless litigator who has earned his reputation through his consistent results in and out of the courtroom. Matthew uses a strategy he calls the “3-ness” that implements preparedness, competitiveness, and creativeness as his winning formula. With this, Matthew consistently takes on and takes down, the modern-day goliaths of industry on behalf of his clients.
Advocacy comes natural to Matthew, which he describes as one of his inherent qualities. It started with him confronting bullies on the playground and now, he is doing the same thing the courtroom. True to form, Matthew has always stood up for the little guy. In high school, Matthew was named varsity captain of the soccer team and received his school’s Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Award. Throughout college and in law school, Matthew intentionally worked in a diverse number of jobs and activities. For his studies, he was named to the Dean’s List and has earned various accolades for his writing.
As a lawyer, Matthew wanted to use an empathetic approach to representing clients. When he did, it paid off, and Matthew began achieving great results for his clients early on. Matthew’s mentor and the founder of the law firm, Joseph H. Graves, recognized Matthew’s talents and that the two shared in their vision for the future. So much so, that Matthew was named the law firm’s first partner at the age of only 30. Since then, Matthew has continued to impress, having obtained numerous successful verdicts and recovering millions of dollars for his clients. This has been repeatedly recognized in Matthew’s distinction as a Super Lawyer Rising Star for a consecutive five (5) years in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
The passion Matthew find’s in his practice of law is best realized with him accomplishing what another lawyer thought was impossible or simply too difficult. When he agrees to represent a client that was previously turned down, ignored or wronged by prior lawyers, Matthew accepts their case as a challenge and a puzzle left unsolved. By presuming that something critical must have been overlooked or underutilized, Matthew ensures that if something missing does exist, he’ll find it.
Matthew’s resume of taking complex cases and yielding top level results year after year is truly impressive. Matthew’s recovery list includes significant cases arising out and involving, wrongful death, motorcycle crashes, traumatic brain injuries, trucking cases, insurance coverage disputes, bad faith, battery, premises liability, work place accidents, construction defects, negligent roadway design, electrocutions, livestock litigation, negligent security, product liability, negligent entrustment, vicarious liability, nursing home negligence, and corporate fraud, among others. In addition to practicing across the state of Florida, including in United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, Matthew has been admitted pro hac vice in various states across the country.
Immediately after speaking with Matthew, you will that know he is passionate in his pursuit of justice for injury victims of all kinds. Life has a way of throwing us obstacles and the law is no different. Matthew would be honored to help represent you in taking on those hurdles. When asked to provide a quote that he found relatable, Matthew cited Teddy Roosevelt, saying “[t]he unforgiveable crime is soft hitting. Do not hit at all if it can be avoided; but never hit softly.” This is true in life and in Matthew’s practice of law.
As an active member and volunteer in his community, Matthew is involved in the Indian River County Bar Association, the Florida Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the Florida Justice Association.
HONORS & MEMBERSHIPS
• Member, Florida Bar Association
• Member, Indian River Bar Association
• Member, Young Lawyers Division, Florida Justice Association
• Member, Florida Justice Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, United States District Court Middle District of Florida
• Member, United States Southern District of Florida
• 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Super Lawyer Rising Star
