Matthew Sherman Hagarty

An established leader in the Philadelphia criminal defense community and veteran of over 40 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials, Matt is an accomplished advocate for individuals in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, and Bucks County and Southern New Jersey. He represents both adults and juveniles facing criminal charges and related matters, and is known by the bench and bar as a lawyer unafraid to take a case to jury.

A zealous believer that all are owed dignity and due process, Matt is first and foremost a courtroom lawyer. Opponents know that Matt will not hesitate to take a case to trial, and he leverages this in plea and settlement negotiations. His Clients also benefit from his accumulated trial experience when he is providing them counsel.

Described by one judge as “a lawyer who truly cares about his clients and cases” and not “someone who is just in it for the money,” and by a recent client as “passionate, intelligent, and articulate,” Clients should expect Matt to be a fearsome advocate who also will not hesitate to provide his honest opinion of their circumstances.

Matt’s Background

Almost twenty years ago, Matt began his legal career in the Defender Association of Philadelphia, one of the most highly-regarded public defender’s offices in the United States. There, he learned the art of advocacy in the criminal justice system, representing thousands of Clients across dozens of jury trials, hundreds of bench trials, and countless other proceedings. Prior to beginning his private practice, Matt worked in the Major Trials Division of the office.

After a brief stint in commercial litigation disputes and labor and employment law, Matt returned to his first love – criminal and courtroom law – in 2015. Beginning with court-appointed felony cases in Philadelphia, he quickly amassed an impressive record of jury acquittals in high profile and sensitive cases involving innocent people accused of serious crimes.

Between near-daily appearances—in Federal District Court, the Court of Common Please, Magisterial, Traffic, and Municipal Court—Matt meets with clients in-person regularly, often on nights and weekends, including in detention facilities.

Matt’s Community

Matt is a third-generation Philadelphia lawyer. The son of a prosecutor and elected official and a civil practice attorney and the grandson of a general practitioner, he is the President of the Philadelphia Criminal Law Inn of Court, as well as a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Criminal Justice section and the Montgomery Bar Association’s Criminal Defense Committee. He volunteers regularly for Philadelphia VIP, which provides pro bono assistance to indigent clients. Matt grew up in the Philadelphia area and lives in Montgomery County with his wife and two children.