PRO
Virtual Consultation Available
Born and raised in Vero Beach, Florida, Matthew M. Thomas built his career on a simple premise: preparation is respect — for the client, for the courtroom, and for the craft.
Matthew is a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney, a distinction held by approximately one percent of lawyers in the state. He is AV® Preeminent™ rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for five consecutive years (2017–2021) before being continually recognized in this capacity and one of the most notable litigators throughout Florida. Early in his career, he was named the first partner of the firm founded by Joseph H. Graves—at age thirty.
Credentials, however, tell only part of the story.
Matthew’s practice is trial-focused and strategy-driven. He represents individuals and families in complex, high-stakes litigation involving wrongful death, catastrophic injury, motorcycle crashes, trucking and commercial vehicle collisions, traumatic brain injuries, premises liability, negligent security, product liability, nursing home negligence, insurance coverage disputes, and bad faith litigation. He has personally recovered nearly one hundred million dollars for his clients and has obtained significant verdicts throughout the state of Florida.
He is admitted in Florida state courts and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and has been admitted pro hac vice in multiple jurisdictions nationwide.
What distinguishes Matthew in the courtroom is not volume—it is discipline. He approaches each case as both a challenge and a responsibility, often accepting matters other lawyers deemed too difficult or too uncertain. His method is grounded in three principles: preparation, competitiveness, and creative strategy. In practice, that means mastering the record, anticipating the defense, and identifying the overlooked issue that changes the trajectory of a case.
Clients often come to Matthew after feeling unheard or underestimated. His approach is direct: listen carefully, evaluate rigorously, and litigate without hesitation when justice requires it.
Long before law school, Matthew’s instinct was to stand up for others. He served as varsity captain of his high school soccer team and received the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Award. Throughout college and law school, he sought diverse professional and academic experiences, earning Dean’s List honors and recognition for his writing. Those early lessons in leadership and accountability continue to shape his practice today.
Many adversaries have entered the courtroom confident in their stature as Goliaths of industry—only to find that in trial work, scale gives way to preparation and disciplined advocacy.
Matthew believes trial work is both analytical and human. The law is technical; injury is personal. Effective advocacy requires fluency in both.
When asked for a quote that reflects his philosophy, he often cites Theodore Roosevelt:
“The unforgivable crime is soft hitting. Do not hit at all if it can be avoided; but never hit softly.”
In the courtroom, Matthew does not strike often. But when he does, it is deliberate.
He is an active member of the Indian River County Bar Association, The Florida Bar, the American Bar Association, and the Florida Justice Association, and remains committed to serving his community and advancing the standards of civil trial practice.
11
Practice Areas
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
33%-40%
State: Florida
Acquired: 2011
No misconduct found
Mobile
2651 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL, 32960
gravesthomas.com10805 SW Tradition Square Unit 024A, Port Saint Lucie, FL, 34987
gravesthomas.com200 Central Ave Suite 304, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701
gravesthomas.com9 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Case Results
Posted by Joe | February 03, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
Exemplary Legal Representation by Matthew Thomas
From our initial consultation, it was evident that Matthew possessed an unmatched sharpness in understanding the complex nuances of Florida law. His ability to dissect case details with precision and present them in a comprehensible manner immediately instilled a sense of confidence in his capabiliti...
Posted by anonymous | February 02, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
Bella Caraballo
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I cannot recommend Matthew Thomas enough! His dedication to his clients is truly remarkable. From the moment I reached out to him, he provided compassionate guidance and unwavering support throughout the entire legal process. Matthew and his team went above and beyond to ensure that I r...
Posted by Celia | September 06, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
A Fighter
If you want an attorney who will fight for you, Matthew M. Thomas is your only choice. Matthew believed in my injury case. He saw the effect that my permanent injury had on me and my family. The defendants kept up their denial but Matthew and his team fought for me and kept me informed every step of ...
Posted by anonymous | August 17, 2014 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Matthew M. Thomas, a true compassionate professional and a strong advocate for his clients.
I endorse this lawyer. This was my first time having to use a lawyer. The suit was very intimidating and I was unsure at first about what I could do. I have had the pleasure of knowing Matthew M. Thomas for over 17 years. I know many lawyers, but there isn’t another lawyer I could have asked to r...
No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.
2026
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2025
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2021
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2020
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2019
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2018
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2011 - Present
Shareholder, Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group, P.A.
2011 - Present
Indian River County Bar Association
Confidential
2011
2011
Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor
English
Legal Answers