Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
Matt Clay Pinsker
About Matt
Biography
Matt C. Pinsker is an award winning criminal defense attorney as well as a former professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) where he taught Criminal Justice. He previously served as both a Federal Special Prosecutor and State Prosecutor as well as a Magistrate, offering him unique insight from all sides of a case. A nationally recognized expert in his field, he is regularly sought by the media for his insights and wrote a textbook in criminal justice used at universities across the nation. Matt Pinsker also served as a Captain in the US Army Reserves as a Judge Advocate General (JAG), and his assignments have included selection to the Army’s prestigious Trial Defense Services (TDS) and later served as an army prosecutor.
As a lifelong Virginian, Matt Pinsker’s ties to the Commonwealth run deep. After graduating Godwin High School in Henrico, Virginia, he then graduated from the College of William & Mary, in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he distinguished himself as a Sharpe Scholar. After earning his law degree from West Virginia University, Matt Pinsker became one of only a handful of attorneys who have gone on to earn a 2nd law degree, an LLM, this time from George Washington University, with a focus on criminal justice. After finishing school, he worked as a prosecutor and magistrate in Virginia prior to entering criminal defense.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Virginia for 13 years
State: Virginia
Acquired: 2012
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2023
Location
Matt C. Pinsker
4932 Dominion Blvd, Glen Allen, VA, 23060
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Matt Clay Pinsker's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
205 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (205)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (174)
Advocacy (83)
Recommendation (65)
Professionalism (57)
Practice Area Knowledge (50)
Responsiveness (50)
Communication Style (43)
Cost of Services (36)
Character & Conduct (25)
General Knowledge (24)
Trustworthiness (16)
Compassion (7)
Punctuality (7)
Payment Plans (1)
Staff & Support (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Compassion
Posted by Lindsay | April 23, 2023 | Hired Attorney
Very helpful and professional
Mr. Pinsker was very helpful and professional. He is knowledgeable and hardworking. The moment I met him I felt confident that I was in good hands. I am very appreciative of his compassion and commitment to representing and helping me as his client.
Posted by anonymous | July 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Traffic Court --Favorable Outcome
Mr. Pinsker was very approachable, organized, reliable, and patient. He explained the charges and case against me clearly, thoroughly responded to all questions posed via written or oral communication, and was timely in most of the follow-up. He was honest about the potential outcomes and shared expe...
Posted by anonymous | September 08, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
ALL CHARGED DISMISSED!!!!!!!!
Best lawyer ever!!!!!!!! I was so scared when charged with felonys. I called a bunch of lawyers and Matt was the only one who answered his own phone. He immediately put me at ease, invited me to his office, and actually listened to what I had to say. After hiring him, I did almost nothing but sit b...
Posted by anonymous | July 29, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Reckless Driving Reduced to Speeding
I was charged with reckless driving (+27mph) outside of Richmond. I am in college, live in North Carolina, and extremely nervous about my charge. After speaking with several attorneys, I chose to hire Matt because he took interest in me as a person, not as just another case. He explained his strategy...
Posted by anonymous | March 17, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Great Outcome, Great Service, Peace of Mind
My daughter was in an accident in Richmond and was ticketed for reckless driving. She was terribly upset and left with a totaled car. Matt made us feel at ease immediately with his reassurance and thorough knowledge of the process and the specific nuances of the law and the Richmond courts. My dau...
Matt Clay Pinsker's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Matt is an intelligent and excellent criminal defense attorney. He is highly devoted to the field of criminal and traffic defense and vigorously represents his clients. I highly endorse him!"
"I endorse this lawyer because I have had cases with him and have seen him in court. Matt will do a very good job for all his clients."
"I had the privilege of working alongside Matt and still have the opportunity to see his work in court from time to time. He has always looked at every side and corner of every case to ensure that no stone is left unturned in an effort to ensure his clients' most positive outcome. I highly endorse his services."
"Matt is an excellent attorney who has built a strong reputation for himself in the community. I endorse Matt and look forward to working with him more often in the future."
"I fully endorse Matt. He is extremely knowledgable and has a passion for criminal defense. It was a pleasure to meet him during JAG school."
"This attorney goes above and beyond to get the best results for clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Matt is well known throughout the country as a top criminal defense attorney."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
"Aggressive representation. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Hardworking, dedicated and extremely bright."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"The time a lawyer spends giving back through sites like this show passion for the law and compassion for people. Kudos to you for helping others with sage advice."
"I endorse this lawyer. Knowledgeable and gives good answers."
"I have known Matt for several years, he was a great magistrate, Commonwealth's Attorney and is on his way to being a great defense lawyer. If you have the opportunity to hire Matt I would strongly suggest that you do so."
"Smart and competent. I endorse this lawyer."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Pinsker is a great counselor because he doesn't rely solely on his professional knowledge to provide advice. He uses common sense and reads it in conjunction with the law which gives him the highest level of professional skill and talent. On top of that, this is precisely what judges do and because of this, I'd feel very confident with Mr. Pinsker representing me in front of a judge."
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
"I endorse this lawyer."
William Stanton
Criminal defense lawyer
Juan Vega
Criminal defense lawyer
Paula Bernstein Hough
Criminal defense lawyer
Gregory Hough
Criminal defense lawyer
Michael McGlothlin
Business lawyer
Jacquelyn Gerlach
Unknown lawyer
Debra Corcoran
Sex crime lawyer
Paul Galanides
Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer
Robert Malott
Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer
Andrew Catherman
Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer
Adam Banks
Business lawyer
John McGarvey
Criminal defense lawyer
David Carlson
Criminal defense lawyer
John Weiland
Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer
Jon Hays
Criminal defense lawyer
Richard Mattox
Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer
Jared Jones
Business lawyer
Beau Correll
DUI and DWI lawyer
Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023.
Suspension issued in VA, 2023
updated on 01/26/2024This means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.
Honors
2021
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2020
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2020
Client's Choice, Avvo
2019
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2019
Client's Choice, Avvo
2019
Joint Service Commendation Medal, US Army
2018
Top 10 for DUI Defense, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2018
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2018
Client's Choice, Avvo
2015
10 Best, American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
2015
Readers' Choice Lawyers, Richmond Times Dispatch
2015
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
2014
Top 10 Under 40, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
2012
CALI Excellence of the Future, West Virginia University College of Law
2012
Certificate of Appreciation, US Army JAG Corps
2012
Pro Bono Service Award, West Virginia University College of Law
2009
Public Service Award, College of William & Mary
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Attorney, Matt C. Pinsker, Attorney at Law
2018 - 2018
Federal Special Prosecutor, US Department of Justice
2015 - 2021
Judge Advocate, US Army Reserves (JAG Corps)
2013 - 2013
Prosecutor, in the Commonwealth of Virginia
2013 - 2013
Magistrate, Supreme Court of Virginia
2013 - 2021
Adjunct Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
Associations
2015 - Present
National College for DUI DefenseMember
2014 - Present
Henrico County Bar AssociationMember
2014 - Present
United States District Court, Eastern District of VirginiaMember
2012 - Present
Virginia State BarMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Commonwealth v. Ruffner
Case dismissed
Commonwealth v. O'Connor
Commonwealth v. Jackson
Commonwealth v. Smith
Commonwealth v. Juergensen
Commonwealth v. Carle
Commonwealth v. Chapman
Commonwealth v. Pryor
Education
2013
The George Washington University Law School
LL.M - Master of Laws
2012
West Virginia University College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2009
College of William & Mary
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2005
Mills E. Godwin High School
High School
Speaking Engagements
2016
Speaker Series
Civil Rights and Immigration
2015
Introduction to Homeland Security
Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
2015
Delegation visit to Richmond from the Yunnan Provincial Higher People's Court
U.S.Pre-trial Procedures in Civil Cases
2015
.Speaker Series
The Constitution and National Security
Publications
2015
Richmond Times Dispatch
Henrico lawyer stumbles into textbook deal
2014
Suffolk University Law Review
Ending the Military’s Courts of Criminal Appeals De Novo Review of Findings of Fact
2014
Criminal Law Bulletin
Google Glass, Cybersecurity, and the Erosion of Privacy through Emerging Technology
2012
West Virginia National Security Law Review
• Issues in Domestic and International Law if the US President Unilaterally Orders an Air Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities
2012
West Virginia National Security Law Review
Making the Case: Constitutional Arguments to End the Prohibition against Women in Combat and Policy Changes Necessary to Complete Integration
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Will a traffic ticket affect my unsupervised probation in Virginia?
29 Sep 2020
Q&A
Can I get this petit larceny charge expunged from my record for a first offense?
29 Sep 2020
Q&A
How do I defend myself on an appeal of a protective order I obtained against a neighbor?
30 Sep 2020