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Matthew Wayne Kilgo
About Matthew
Biography
A 1996 graduate of Auburn University, that same year I began law school at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating in 1999. I worked as a prosecutor in Cherokee, Cobb, and Fulton counties, briefly served in the United States Marine Corps, assisted in the investigation and prosecution of copyright infringement cases for the music industry, and for the past decade I have represented individuals charged with crimes in Atlanta, Marietta, Roswell, Dunwoody, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Altharetta, in fact the entire metro area, from Dahlonega to Macon, Carrollton to (almost) Augusta. For the past five years I have trained the public in almost 300 Second Amendment/Use of Force seminars; I have been a guest speaker nationwide on law enforcement matters, and have worked in both state and federal courts to protect my clients’ rights in a number of different types of criminal cases. These days, my true passion lies in gun-rights issues. I am a baseball coach, an assistant scoutmaster, and love to teach my sons to shoot.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Georgia for 26 years
State: Georgia
Acquired: 1999
No misconduct found
Location
The Law Offices of Matthew W. Kilgo, LLC
278 North Marietta Parkway NE, Suite 101, Marietta, GA, 30060
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Matthew Wayne Kilgo's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
48 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 17 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by anonymous | August 28, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Gun Law
Would Recommend - incredibly professional
Incredible experience working with Matthew. Helped me rectify a clerical error from the courthouse while renewing my firearms license at the beginning of COVID. Needed to generate some applicable paperwork and file a motion for reconsideration. Intelligent, well spoken, clear and active communication...
Posted by CHARLES | March 26, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
AMAZING SERVICE. FIRST OFFENDER
I had a first offender that was not filed correctly. Mr. Kilgo took care of it and got it filed which reinstated my rights, gave me the proper paperwork for me to apply for my Georgia Weapons Carry License and helped me with the whole process. Would recommend to everyone who needs representation or l...
Posted by Ryan | January 21, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Best possible outcome: 10/10 highly recommend
Long and the short of it is a decade ago I made a mistake. One that has been with me and keeping me down. Matt went through a game plan and along the way kept me apprised of updates and changes (court times and refilings). The road was long but in the end total exoneration and the case and all materi...
Posted by Andrew | October 05, 2018 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Great DUI Lawyer
Matt Kilgo is not the cheapest attorney out there, but who wants a cheap attorney? He is worth every penny! Matt will put his extensive knowledge of DUI law into getting you the best outcome you can get, for your particular situation. He calls you back and explains the process in its entirety, eas...
Posted by James | September 05, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Client
Excellent at what he does. As a client from out of state, he was easy to contact and very easy and candid to talk to. He knows the Georgia legal system and used his vast resources to our advantage. He was able to discuss the case and advised me openly with no surprises. He gave me a very informed...
Matthew Wayne Kilgo's Lawyer Endorsements
"Matt Kilgo is one of the state's leading experts on firearms law. He is also one of the top DUI attorneys in the state. It is crucial to hire an attorney who excels in jury trials, and Matt's results for his clients show that he is an excellent choice for anyone charged with a crime."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Matt is a former prosecutor and great lawyer. He is smart, dedicated, and hard-working. I would trust him with any DUI related case."
"I endorse Matthew. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I highly recommend this lawyer. Matt is a dedicated and masterful attorney who combines his experience and relationships acquired as a prosecutor into an extremely successful method of defending his clients. He was always fair as a prosecutor, and if I were in need, I would certainly want to have Matt on my side."
"Matt is a great advocate for his clients. Anyone who has him as their lawyer is lucky to have him on their side."
"Matt Kilgo is one of the best in Atlanta, in my opinion. With his years of experience and meticulous case prep., its no wonder I'm always overhearing the prosecution striking an excellent deal with Matt for his clients. Test case, refusal case, it doesnt matter- Mr. Kilgo will show up on time and prepared, and everyone in the courthouse knows it. EW"
"I had the opportunity to work with Matt on a host of copyright infringement cases over the course of several years. Matt always displayed an insatiable desire to achieve the best results for his clients, even when it meant ruffling the feathers of his opponents. Matt possesses a detailed understanding of the law and is a credit to our profession."
"Matt Kilgo is the number one lawyer I recommend to handle a DUI case in metropolitan Atlanta. If Matt accepts your case; rest assured that he is on it. He works tirelessly to obtain a favorable outcome for his clients. Judges and prosecutors know that Matt is there to make a difference in the outcome - and he does. His extensive experience in handling every aspect of a criminal case puts him in a unique position to evaluate the charges against you. iIf you or someone you care about is charged with DUI, I suggest you call Matt Kilgo."
"I am honored to have the privilege to endorse Matt Kilgo. I know Matt to be a dedicated, knowledgeable, and aggressive attorney, with a personable and compassionate side to the representation of his clients. As a fellow member of the criminal defense bar, I am proud to have Matt as a colleague and recommend his services without hesitation."
"Matt is an experienced and aggressive DUI defense attorney. He started out as a prosecutor, where he learned the law and gained vauluable courtroom experienece. No\w Matt is putting that knowledge and thirst for justice to work for his clients. His clients undoubtedly enjoy the excellent results he achieves."
"A criminal case isn't something that you'd want to trust to a lawyer who only "dabbles" in criminal Law. Matt is a former prosecutor who worked some of the toughest jurisdictions in Georgia, and now he brings that experience to the table for people accused of DUI. I endorse his work. His skill and knowledge have earned him a great reputation among the defense bar, and he gets great results for his clients."
"I am a fortunate fellow. As a criminal defense lawyer, I was able to avoid Matt when he was a prosecutor. We never had a case together, and I am thankful for it. He was known then as a tenacious relentless prosecutor. Now, he brings those attributes to the "defense of the wrongly accused". Matt is in my study group, the Georgia Defense of Drinking Drivers group, and from that, I know he is armed with the most current information and strategy available in the defense of criminal cases particularly DUIs. He's really smart, too; even though he went to Auburn."
"I would not hesitate to endorse Matt. He is extremely knowledgeable about DUI Defense."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. In addition to his reputation and experience, you can tell a great lawyer by the company he keeps. Matt not only has the reputation and experience but has worked with such giants in the area of DUI practice as Don Turner and Bob Chestney. You won't find a finer DUI lawyer anywhere."
"Matt is one of a group of attorneys that I regularly rely upon in making decisions in my practice. Matt is one of the sharpest criminal defense lawyers that I know, and he works tirelessly investigating and preparing his cases. This combination leads to exceptional results for his clients. Matt possesses the skills to negotiate a great resolution in your case and the willingness to take your case to trial if necessary. I endorse Matt Kilgo without hesitation."
"I give my full endorsement of Matthew's work. He is well known in the legal community as an attorney that fights for his clients. He has advanced training in criminal and DUI defense that sets him apart from other attorneys. He will fight for your rights."
"I had the good fortune of working with Matt when we were regional counsel for the Recording Industry Association of America. Matt handled the southern region of the United States. He is smart, confident, personable, and was always an outstanding resource and terrific colleague. If I had a client or friend who needed an attorney with expertise in either criminal defense or the enforcement of intellectual property rights, I'd recommend Matt without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I can state without exception that there's no lawyer I know who does more for his clients than Matt Kilgo. He makes himself available at all hours to his clients and I know from talking with him at 11:30 PM that he's thinking about clients even when they're not thinking of him! None of this is to say that he's not well-qualified and competent to handle any criminal matter. With experience as solicitor, district attorney and defense lawyer, Mr Kilgo brings much and varied experience to all his cases. Anybody would do well to retain him."
"Matt is very knowledgeable about misdemeanors and felonies based on his years of experience as a prosecutor in the Cherokee County, Cobb County and City of Atlanta Office of the Solicitor General and as Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County District Attorney's office. He also served as General Counsel in the Office of the Recording Industry Association of America. Matt has a presence that translates well with judges, prosecutors and juries and he is very successful in getting the best outcomes/results for his clients. As a fellow colleague, I strongly endorse Matt Kilgo's work and his contribution to the legal profession here in the State of Georgia."
Anna Bolden
Criminal defense lawyer
William Sherman
Criminal defense lawyer
James Mullis
DUI and DWI lawyer
Patrick Ferris
DUI and DWI lawyer
Richard Lawson
DUI and DWI lawyer
D. Sessions
DUI and DWI lawyer
Frank Gomez
DUI and DWI lawyer
Brian Gurwitz
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
1998
Charles A. Wofford Academic Scholarship, Scottish Rite Foundation of Georgia
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Partner, Hawkins Spizman Kilgo
2009 - 2009
Associate/Partner, Law Offices of Donald C. Turner and Associates
2009 - 2015
Associate, Hawkins Law Firm
2006 - 2009
Regional Counsel, Anti-Piracy Legal Affairs, Recording Industry Association of America
2004 - 2006
Assistant District Attorney, Fulton County District Attorney's Office: Atlanta, Georgia
2002 - 2004
Assistant Solicitor General, Cobb County Solicitor General's Office: Marietta, Georgia
2000 - 2002
Assistant Solicitor General, City of Atlanta Solicitor's Office: Atlanta, Georgia
Associations
2009 - Present
Georgia Defense of Drinking DriversMember
2009 - Present
Cobb County Bar AssociationMember
1999 - Present
State Bar of GeorgiaMember
Sample of Legal Cases
State v. M.G., Clayton County State Court
As a result of our strong case preparation and argument, the judge granted all our motions and suppressed (threw out) all the evidence of DUI.
Education
2010
National College for DUI Defense
Certificate of Completion
1999
Georgia State University College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1996
Auburn University, Auburn
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2008
Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia Winter Conference, 2008
Copyright/Trademark Infringement Investigation and Prosecution
2008
National District Attorneys Association Summer Conference 2008, Tucson, Arizona
Copyright/Trademark Infringement Investigation and Prosecution
2008
National Computer Forensics Institute Law Enforcement Training, 2008
Copyright/Trademark Infringement Investigation and Prosecution
2008
Georgia Public Safety Training Center
Copyright/Trademark Infringement Investigation and Prosecution
2008
Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Orleans, Louisiana
Copyright/Trademark Infringement Investigation and Prosecution
2007
National District Attorneys Association Summer Conference 2007, Portland, Oregon
Copyright/Trademark Infringement Investigation and Prosecution
Publications
2017
Georgia Gun Law: Armed and Educated (283 Pages)
Georgia Gun Law: Armed and Educated
2017
Georgia Gun Law: Armed and Educated (283 Pages)
Georgia Gun Law: Armed and Educated
2017
Georgia Gun Law: Armed and Educated (283 Pages)
Georgia Gun Law: Armed and Educated
2017
Georgia Gun Law: Armed and Educated (283 Pages)
Georgia Gun Law: Armed and Educated
2017
Georgia Gun Law: Armed and Educated (283 Pages)
Georgia Gun Law: Armed and Educated
2017
Georgia Gun Law: Armed and Educated (283 Pages)
Georgia Gun Law: Armed and Educated
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
I need to get charge cleared from a dead docket that it never should have been on.
26 Nov 2021
Q&A
Had a DUI 21 yrs ago haven't had a vehicle since n still can't get license back ? So why do I still need the interlock system ?
25 Jul 2021
Q&A
Can a person go to jail over shoplifting if it is a first offense ?
25 Apr 2021