Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
About Matthew
Biography
I love the idea of a small law practice- where we can build lasting relationships in a casual atmosphere, while focused on obtaining outstanding results.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Administrative Law
25%
24 years | 500 cases
Employment and Labor
25%
24 years | 300 cases
Military Law
25%
24 years | 300 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Sometimes
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 Florida for 23 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Location
Matthew O. Ward, Attorney at Law
1700 N Monroe St Ste 11-192, Tallahassee, FL, 32303-5535
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Matthew O'Connell Ward's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
2 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (2)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Posted by Amanda | September 18, 2014 | Brain Injury
Extremely compassionate lawyer..
Matt is the kind of lawyer that shows compassion... He understood all the ramifications of someone who is married with a traumatic brain injury.. Not only can he explain all the legalise to me in regular terms, but I also felt confident in the way he took care of me.. Thank you so much!!!!
Posted by Samantha | August 25, 2014
Fabulous experience!
It was a pleasure to work with Matt. He was everything you could ask for in a lawyer. He was trustworthy, knowledgeable, hard-working and efficient. I would recommend any who needs a lawyer to use Matt Ward.
Matthew O'Connell Ward's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Matt is an energetic, creative and diligent attorney whose skill set is complimented by a tremendous sense of humor. He has the ability to get to the bottom line of an issue in a quick manner."
"Matt is a diligent and experienced advocate for military members and their families."
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington
Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Matthew without reservation. He has demonstrated an exceptional grasp of the law and is a superb litigator."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer as one who is a specialist in their field and highly recommend."
"I have known Matt Ward for over a decade. He is an excellent attorney and is well respected within the legal community. I endorse him without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Mr. Ward as an outstanding lawyer in his field. He is a valuable contributor to the Avvo legal community and consistently provides quality advice to others."
"Attorney O'Connell is a gifted and experienced attorney who tackles tough challenges encountered by clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Matthew. He is a highly skilled lawyer that aggressively fights for the rights of his clients."
"With a great track record of published answers to consumers' questions on Avvo.com and the recommendations from clients and attorneys alike, it is easy to see that attorney Ward is skilled and knows the law well too. If you have a legal question in his area of expertise, he is your answer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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 not only endorse this lawyer. I give this lawyer 5 stars!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Matt has a high level of knowledge and experience in his practice areas. Top caliber."
"I endorse this lawyer because in working with Mr. Ward I determined that he is very conscientious and well prepared. He represented his clients in a dignified manner that respected the law and his duty to seek justice."
"I endorse this lawyer. Matt is both passionate and capable. He is well informed on the law and will zealously represent his clients."
Simon Kabzan
Unknown lawyer
Stephen Benson
Unknown lawyer
Ergio Fernandez
Unknown lawyer
Michael Guisti
Unknown lawyer
David Harris
Unknown lawyer
Kimberly Perkins
Unknown lawyer
Matthew Nezhad
Unknown lawyer
Russell Hebets
Unknown lawyer
Judd Nemiro
Unknown lawyer
John O'Brien
Unknown lawyer
Michael Waddington
Military law lawyer
William Strickland
Unknown lawyer
Steven Fuller
Unknown lawyer
Charles Baron
Unknown lawyer
Experience
Honors
2015
40 Under 40 Law and Order, Irish Echo
2014
Golden Key Award, Golden Key International Honor Society
2006
Commendation Medal, US Army
2003
Bronze Star, General Raymond T. Odierno, US Army
2003
GWOT Expeditionary Medal, US Army
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Owner- Attorney, Matt Ward, Attorney at Law.
2012 - 2014
Attorney, US Army Medical Command
2006 - 2012
Assistant General Counsel, Florida Police Benevolent Association
2002 - 2002
Intern, Us Army Jag Corps
2002 - 2006
Attorney, U.S. Army Jag Corps
2001 - 2001
Intern- Judge Alex Ferrer, Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, Criminal Division
2001 - 2001
Law Clerk, Department Of Justice
Associations
2015 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans ClaimsAttorney
2014 - Present
Collegiate Veterans AssociationMember
2014 - Present
U.S. Department of Veteran AffairsAccredited Attorney
2014 - Present
Senior Veterans Service AllianceMember
2012 - Present
Veterans of Foreign WarsMember
2011 - Present
Judge Advocate General’s Corps AlumniMember
2008 - Present
Florida Bar, Administrative Law SectionMember
2002 - Present
Florida BarMember
2008 - 2012
Florida Bar, Labor and Employment Law SectionMember
Sample of Legal Cases
FL Insurance License: Case No: 16107-14-AG
Decision overturned, License Granted
UCMJ/MEB: United States v. US Army Soldier
UCMJ charges dropped. Soldier allowed to medically retire- keeping all military and VA benefits.
FDLE CJSTC Professional License: DOAH Case Number: 30763
Officer prevailed and his professional license remained untarnished.
DCA Appeal: XXXXX v. Department of Corrections, 2011 WL 1414039 (Fla. App. 1 Dist. 2011)
Agency action overturned : Terminated employee returned to work.
State Employee Dismissal: FL PERC Appeal: CS-2010-324
Dismissed state employee returned to work with back pay.
State Employee Dismissal: FL PERC Appeal: CS-2010-168
Captain returned to work with back pay.
UCMJ: United States v. US Army Soldier
All 12 felony charges dismissed with prejudice.
Education
2016
Florida State University
MA - Masters
2015
Florida State University
Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management
2013
US Veterans Affairs
Certificate
2012
US Army Medical Command
Certificate
2005
US Army JAG School
Advanced Criminal Law/Trial Advocacy
2003
US Army JAG School
Judge Advocate
2002
University of Miami School of Law
Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor
1999
Pace University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2015
News 13 ABC Law Call- Panama City Florida
Veteran Divisibility Appeals- Guest Legal Expert
2015
Guest Instructor Keiser University
Business Law- Contracts
2015
Big Bend Chapter Paralegal Association of Florida
Continuing Legal Education- Consumer Law- Paralegals
2015
2015 Corrections USA Conference, Las Vegas Nevada
Correctional Officer Discipline/Veterans Affairs Claims and Appeals
2014
The VA Givith, the Ins and Outs of VA Claims and Appeals
Continued Legal Education for Attorneys: Guest Presenter
2014
Legal Environment in Business
Keiser University- Guest Lecturer- Business Law
2014
Guest Expert- Law Call with Frank Ranicky, Tallahassee FL
WCTV- CBS--Veterans' Claims and Appeals
2014
Criminal Law- Keiser University
Keiser University- Guest Lecturer- Military/Criminal Law
2012
Charlie Norwood VA ADRU/TBI Unit
Patient and Family Engagement MEB/PEB/VA Claims and Appeals
2011
Charlie Norwood VA: Active Duty Rehab Unit/ TBI Unit
Patient and Family Engagement MEB/PEB/VA Claims and Appeals
2004
Tikrit Leader Engagement, Iraq
Comparative Law: US and Iraq
2003
Tikrit Police Academy, Iraq
Bill of Rights and Democracy
Publications
2012
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Is a license required to be a Commercial Mortgage Broker in Florida?
27 Mar 2015
Q&A
Removed from schedule at work.
21 Mar 2015
Q&A
What kind of discharge is given for depression, and how long does it take?
07 Jan 2015