Matt Maniatis

Matt Maniatis is a licensed attorney based in Nashville, Tennessee, and the owner of Maniatis Law PLLC, where he serves the community in the areas of immigration and naturalization, DUI, and criminal defense.

Matt earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2011, with a certificate in International Legal Studies. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of Oklahoma (2008), and is a graduate of the International School of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia (2004). During law school, he also studied international law at the University of Vienna in Austria.

Matt has represented hundreds of clients in Tennessee state trial courts and in immigration courts across the Mid-South. His appellate experience includes briefing and arguing cases before the Tennessee Supreme Court, Tennessee Court of Appeals, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, as well as the Board of Immigration Appeals and the U.S. Sixth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals.

Matt’s primary focus is helping clients secure lawful immigration status, including U.S. permanent residency and citizenship through naturalization, and defending non-citizens in criminal proceedings where immigration consequences are at stake.

A third-generation Greek American, Matt’s passion for immigration law was shaped by his grandparents’ journey to the U.S. from Greece after World War II, and his personal experience living abroad as a temporary resident. He has served as an expert witness in immigration law in Tennessee state court and contributes regularly to the Tennessee Bar Association Immigration Law Section.

When he’s not practicing law, Matt enjoys spending time outdoors—hiking, camping, and exploring Tennessee’s parks and trails with his family. He is actively involved in his local community as a Den Leader in Cub Scouts and serves as an assistant coach for youth sports, supporting the development of teamwork, leadership skills, and civic responsibility.

Honors and Awards

• Best Immigration Lawyer in Nashville - Issued by Quality Business Awards, 2025 - Present

• Top 10 Nashville Immigration Attorney - Issued by Trust Analytica, 2024 - Present

• Best Immigration Lawyer in Nashville - Issued by Quality Business Awards, 2025 - Present

• Top 10 Nashville Immigration Attorney - Issued by Trust Analytica, 2024 - Present

• Best DUI Lawyers in Nashville - Issued by Forbes Advisor, 2024

• Best Immigration Law Firm in Nashville, TN - Issued by Legal Directorate, 2023 - Present

• Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Tennessee - Issued by National Trial Lawyers, 2023

• AV Preeminent Rating - Issued by Martindale-Hubbell, 2022 - Present

• Mid-South Rising Star - Issued by Super Lawyers, 2022 - Present

• Clients’ Choice Award - Issued by Avvo, 2022

• Best Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyers - Issued by Federal Charges, 2021

• Citizens' Academy Graduate - Issued by Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 2019

• Lead Counsel Rated in Family Law - Issued by Thomson Reuters, 2018 - Present

• Lead Counsel Rated in Immigration Law, Issued by Thomson Reuters, 2017 - Present

• Top 40 Under 40 in Tennessee for Criminal Defense - Issued by The National Trial Lawyers, 2017

• Best DUI Lawyers in Nashville - Issued by Expertise, 2016 - Present

• Best Immigration Lawyers in Nashville - Issued by Three Best Rated, 2016 - Present

• Best Immigration Lawyers in Nashville - Issued by Expertise, 2016 - Present