Faulkner Law Offices1825 18th StreetBakersfield, CA, 93301-4308United States

Matthew James Faulkner

Avvo Rating10

Bakersfield, CA
Licensed for 20 years

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About Matthew

I belong to a family firm that has been in business since 1974. I have been a partner with Faulkner Law Offices since 2001. I have exceptional experience in personal injury litigation and trial practice including: products liability, brain injury cases, medical device class actions and other significant cases. I have changed the law concerning premises liability on the appellate court level.

I was born in 1969 in Bakersfield, California. I received my undergraduate degree at the University of Santa Barbara and Juris Doctorate degree at Golden Gate University of Law in San Francisco. While living in San Francisco before beginning law school, I worked on the cutting edge of computer technology during the heyday of its expansion into all areas of industry. I have extensive experience in information technology, web design, desktop publishing and digital trial presentation. I am a certified trainer for the trial presenation software Trial Director. I have used my technical ability in law since being a lawyer in my own practice. I often advise other lawyers in the implementation and use of office management software and trial presentation technology.

I am very active in the legal community and work with cooperatively with other lawyers to constantly improve my trial advocacy. I am committed to public service in our community. I am on the Board of Directors for our local County Bar Association and I serve the community in many organizations local and statewide. I am involved in the arts community and sit on the Board of Directors of the Arts Council of Kern.

Our firm comprises my father, James L. Faulkner, my mother, Kathleen Ellis Faulkner, and me. I have been steeped in the tradition of law since I worked with my family at 14. By age 18, I was an investigator for our personal injury cases. My father likes to joke that my first day in Law School was when I went with him as a four year old. Being part of a family business is being supportive of your family as you work together.

I remember as far back as when I was six years old watching my dad in trial. One time I was very tired after school when my grandmother took me to see my dad give a closing argument in one of his cases. I dozed off and fell out of my chair, at which point my dad told the jury, "well my son fell asleep, I guess my argument should end here."

What sets our firm apart is that we think of our firm as more than just a business. We think about our clients as members of our family. We deeply care about building personal relationships with our clients that last a lot longer than their case. Our clients are our partners and our friends. We try one case at a time and give it all we have for each of our clients. To some firms, a client is just another case. To us, we know that our client's case means everything to them. Justice is done one person and one case at a time.

Practice areas

Brain injury: 20%
21 years
Car accident: 20%
21 years
Personal injury: 20%
Our firm has handled over a thousand personal injury cases since 1975. I personally have handled several hundred cases in my career. This does not include the hundreds of cases I have worked on in our family firm as an investigator since I was 18 years old.
21 years
Trucking accident: 20%
21 years
Wrongful death: 20%
21 years

Languages spoken

English

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Contact

Faulkner Law Offices

1825 18th Street
Bakersfield, CA, 93301-4308

Message

Resume

License

State	Status	Acquired	Updated
CA	Active	2001	02/07/2022

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Avvo Contributions

Legal answers	8
Legal guides	0

Awards

Award name	Grantor	Date Granted
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition	United States Congress	2014
Member	Million Dollar Advocates Forum	2014
Commendation for Service to the Community	California State Senate	2014
Certificate of Recognition	California State Assembly	2014
Certified Trainer	inData Trial Director Software	2008

work experience

Title	Company name	Duration
Partner	Faulkner Law Offices	2001 - Present

associations

Association name	Position name	Duration
The Arts Council of Kern County	Board of Directors	2014 - Present
Bakersfield Burrito Project - Feeding the Homeless	Board of Directors	2014 - Present
Jerry Spence Trial Lawyers College	Member	2013 - Present
Kern County Bar Association	Board of Directors	2012 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of California	Board of Governors	2012 - Present

California Brain Injury Association	Member	2009 - Present
Million Dollar Advocates Forum	Member	2005 - Present
American Bar Association	Member	2001 - Present
American Association for Justice	Member	2001 - Present

education

School name	Degree	Graduated
Golden Gate University School of Law	JD - Juris Doctor	2001
University of California Santa Barbara	Art Studio	1994

legal cases

Case name	Outcome
George Sweat v. Big Time Auto	Sent back to Trial Court and Settled

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Reviews

5.0 stars5.0 (10)

5 Star		100%
4 Star		0%
3 Star		0%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Review Matthew James Faulkner

Top Notch Professional Law Office

5.0 stars

Posted by Mark
June 24, 2016

I sought legal advise from another law office but was basically turned away. When I consulted with Matthew Faulkner I felt like I was treated as a extended family member in need. Matthew went above and beyond to help me with my legal matter. You couldn't ask for better representation. I highly recommend Faulkner & Faulkner Law Offices.

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Consulted attorney

Made My Best Interest as Priority

5.0 stars

Posted by Car Accident Client
February 11, 2016

A friend of mine referred me to Mr. Faulkner as she once needed a lawyer she could trust and only had great things to say about him. I met with Mr. Faulkner and instantly connected with him. He understood that it was a very stressful time for me as I was trying to recover from my car accident. He ensured me that he would handle all the legal aspects of my case so I could focus on my health. Through the entire process, Mr. Faulkner kept me informed about the details of my case, included me in decisions and shared with me his suggestions based on my best interest. His goal was my goal! He was very knowledgeable and was a man of action. I was not only extremely pleased with the outcome of the case; I also found Mr. Faulkner to be an honest lawyer who believed in me, my case, and his own ability to obtain justice. I would highly recommend!

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

Skilled, Experienced, Responsive and Compassionate

5.0 stars

Posted by DavidO'Neil
March 8, 2015

It's rare to find a professional that has the amazing ability to get results, respond to need and concerns and do so in a kind and compassionate way. Mr. Faulkner has this ability to balance people skills with a vast knowledge and experience of law to not only achieve clients goals, but also do so in a way that takes into consideration the emotional roller coaster that legal issues take us on. I recommend him wholeheartedly for any legal needs anyone has had. He and his offices have been profoundly helpful to me and my family.

5.0 stars

Posted by Nick
October 23, 2014

Matthew Faulkner represented me in a personal injury law suit. Matthew put in months of hard work preparing for my trial. He is a very diligent hard working attorney who pays attention to details. Matthew was always personable and professional. He went out of his way for me in every way. He took the time to answer all of my questions and explained the legal process. I always felt confident in his knowledge and abilities as my attorney. I highly recommend Matthew Faulkner to my family and closest friends and would use him again in a heartbeat.

5.0 stars

Posted by Jill
August 26, 2014

I have utilized Matthew James Faulkner twice in the last 11 years. He is very knowledgeable and helpful regarding the matter in which he represented me on. I received a very lucrative settlement, and was pleased regarding the outcome. I've walked in several times without an appointment just to get an update regarding my case, and Matthew if there made time to sit with me and discuss my case. I have been very pleased with Mr. Faulkners determination to settle my matter prompt, but with my best interest at hand.

5.0 stars

Posted by Bryce
July 7, 2014

I shopped around a great deal while looking in Bakersfield for a quality attorney. It wasn't until I found Faulkner and Faulkner that I truly felt comfortable, safe, and as though someone was actually on my side. There was no hidden agenda or confusion with Matthew. He was clear, concise, and kind in a way that let me know that I would be taken care of. I received frequent updates that explained what the insurance companies were doing and how they were handling it. I had two simultaneous cases being handled by Faulkner Law and both were handled with care by this fair and friendly lawyer. The cases had some complexity as they involved three different insurance companies. Each of which kept trying to pass the buck. Matt and Jim both took care of my case and kept the companies honest. I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate the help I got from this team. If you are looking for a good Bakersfield attorney and a good human being, look no further than Matthew Faulkner.

5.0 stars

Posted by Jason
June 30, 2014

My wife and I were in a car accident, parked at a red light and rear-ended by someone who was texting instead of driving. Mr. Faulkner met with us immediately, stepped us through a consultation, and quickly went to work on our case. In little more than a few days, Mr. Faulkner has us back in his office with information about the case, and how to proceed. He walked us through the step by step process in small claims court, how to file paperwork and where to file, since he felt it would be more beneficial to us and our case. In about a month, he searched the case again, saw nothing had been done with it (we were waiting for doctor's notes), and did a follow-up to ask how he could be of more service to aid us. Mr. Faulkner was a tremendous help. Even though he had no financial stake in our case, he still provided us with the service like we were paying clients. I highly recommend Mr. Faulkner.

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
June 19, 2014

My grandmother was implanted with a faulty hip device and as a result, had to endure excruciating pain on a daily basis, experienced serious difficulty in getting around and we were told that she would have to have the faulty implant removed, and replaced. What we experienced was stressful both emotionally and financially and we were incredibly frustrated that a surgery that should have increased her quality of life was exposing her to such unnecessary risk and hardship. When we expressed these frustrations to her surgeon, he suggested we contact the Faulkners and I am so so glad we did. Matthew was sympathetic to all of the difficulties we were facing and he was able to answer our questions about my grandmother’s options for recourse, and who would be held responsible. He kept us well updated on the status of my grandmother’s case, and never made us feel like our millions of questions and concerns were a burden. Matthew and all of the Faulkners are wonderful people and great attorneys; I highly recommend anybody with questions regarding a personal injury case contact him.

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
February 29, 2012

I called for an initial consult regarding my case. Mr Faulkner did not beat around the bush. Was direct, and straight to the point with his great advice. Went above and beyond my expectations. He gave me step by step directions on how to go about resolving my issues, which showed he had my best interest at heart. Very informative & knowledgeable.

5.0 stars

Posted by Chris and Lisa
March 30, 2011

Matthew and his firm which includes his Mother and Father could not have been better. We were truly blessed to have him represent us. Compassion, understanding and sympathy are only three words out of many I could use to discribe the personal attention we received from Matthew. His expertise and passion for justice served us from beginng to a successful conclusion. Had it not been for Matthew and his relentless pusuit of fairness, we would have been left wanting. The professional conduct exhibited by Matthew was evident from the initial filing through adjournment. What started as an attorney relationship ended up as a friendship. We will recommend Matthew and his firm to everyone we know.

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Attorney endorsements

(13)

Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Robert Brumfield, Personal injury Attorney on Jun 28, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Matt does a wonderful job for his clients and is highly recommended.

Ali Ebrahimzadeh, Unknown Attorney on Jan 25, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Robert Brumfield, Personal injury Attorney on Jun 28, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Matt does a wonderful job for his clients and is highly recommended.

Ali Ebrahimzadeh, Unknown Attorney on Jan 25, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 13, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

John-Paul Serrao, Brain injury Attorney on Sep 29, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

A brilliant attorney, and highly respected in the legal community. Can definitely endorse and recommend without reservation.

Joseph Torri, Unknown Attorney on Sep 24, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Timothy Osborn, Unknown Attorney on Aug 6, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Faulkner is an excellent personal injury attorney with a strong reputation in the community.

Hartley Beaver, Personal injury Attorney on Jun 28, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Matt is a lawyer who truly cares about his clients. Many attorneys are nice to a client when first signing up, and then fail to return phone calls, or seem "too busy" to spend even 5 minutes on the phone for an update. Not Matt. He returns your call promptly, always making himself accessible by clients. An exceptional blend of competence, courage and candor, he tells you the truth about your case and does not exaggerate. You always know what's happening--issues large and small which you need to know. He has a terrific sense of humor - so needed in our profession. His laugh is contagious. Matt is someone you just want to give a great big hug to, and when you do, all at once there is this feeling of security, of being in the right place, with, not simply the right lawyer, but a true friend. Our profession needs more lawyers like him, lawyers dedicated to helping, to placing the client's interests first. It is with great pleasure that I recommend him.

Michael Waddington, Personal injury Attorney on May 29, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Matthew. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.

James Sullivan, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 28, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Having worked with Matthew at Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College, I fully endorse him. Matthew has the courage to challenge the power structure and the experience to get good results for his clients. He really cares about his clients as people.

Steven Karcher, Unknown Attorney on Jun 10, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Kathleen Faulkner, Brain injury Attorney on Jun 1, 2013
Relationship: Family member

I endorse this lawyer.

Dustin Dodgin, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 24, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Bobby Cloud, Brain injury Attorney on Oct 3, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Mr. Faulkner is a knowledgeable and courteous lawyer. I have found his advise in my cases to be an incredible help and would, if the situation came, want him to represent me personally. He is a professional and competent attorney.

Show recent endorsements

Joseph Torri
Timothy Osborn
Jesse Whitten
Bobby Cloud
Michael Waddington
James Sullivan
Steven Karcher
Richard Middlebrook
Heberto Sala

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Contingency A contingency fee is the percent of the final award a lawyer will receive as compensation. For some of these cases, lawyers will only be paid if there is a successful outcome.33%-40%

Matthew James Faulkner

About Matthew

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Reviews

Top Notch Professional Law Office

5.0 stars

Made My Best Interest as Priority

5.0 stars

Skilled, Experienced, Responsive and Compassionate

5.0 stars

Great attorney

5.0 stars

Review Regarding Matthew Faulkner

5.0 stars

Fair and Honest Bakersfield Lawyer

5.0 stars

Mr. Faulkner was very helpful!

5.0 stars

Faulty Hip Replacement Representation

5.0 stars

Called for initial consult; Went above and beyond!

5.0 stars

Best attorneys in Bakersfield

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