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About Russell
Biography
Russell Matson practiced criminal defense law in Massachusetts for more than 25 years, appearing in every district court in the state and building his own practice into a multi-attorney firm. He is retired from the practice of law and is not accepting new legal clients.
He now consults with criminal defense firms across New England on marketing, local search visibility, and how AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude recommend lawyers — drawing on the same web presence he built for his own firm.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
50%
31 years | 400 cases
DUI and DWI
50%
31 years | 1,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Massachusetts for 30 years
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 1995
No misconduct found
Location
No contact information is available for this lawyer
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Russell J. Matson's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
6 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | 1 star
Posted by Lyle Lamoureux | April 12, 2023 | Hired Attorney
Wish I never Hired Russell Matson!
Poor Representation (to say the least) So I hired Russel Matson several years back to represent me on a DUI charge. Turns out after the fact I find out that he does business with and befriends cops at the time and possibly currently still does as well. He trains cops on DUI testing procedures...
Russell Matson
Replied last July 14, 2026Attorney confidentiality rules prevent me from discussing any individual's case or confirming whether a reviewer was a client, so I can't respond to the specifics described here — even to correct them. I can address one general point. Like many attorneys who concentrated in OUI defense, I completed the same standardized field sobriety test training that police officers receive, through programs associated with the National College for DUI Defense. Learning exactly how those tests are supposed to be administered is how a defense lawyer identifies when they weren't — it's a defense tool and a common credential among OUI defense attorneys nationwide, not a conflict of interest. Over more than twenty years of practice, I always welcomed clients raising concerns with me directly, during or after a case. I have since retired from practicing law.
Russell J. Matson's Lawyer Endorsements
"Russell Matson is an intelligent and knowledgeable attorney with years of experience in the court room. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this attorney. Russ is an experienced litigator and is dedicated to helping his clients."
"Russell is a great litigator and passionate about defending his clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"Russel is an experienced attorney who is dedicated to defending his clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Top OWI defender."
"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. A brilliant and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Russ is knowledgeable and deservedly respected in the field of DWI/DUI defense."
"Russell J. Matson is an honest, caring, and professional lawyer that helps people through the tough times involved with an OUI case. He is always well prepared for court and pays extra careful attention to the motor vehicle license implications of the case."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Russell Matson is a highly regarded national expert in Criminal defense and I am proud to call him a good friend."
"Russell is the go to guy in Braintree for DUI defense."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I fully endorse Russell Matson as an extremely qualified, knowledgeable and skilled criminal defense attorney especially in DUI and DWI cases. He really is a "Go-To" lawyer if you have been charged with these crimes in Massachusetts."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Russell is a very knowledgeable lawyer who takes the time to really appreciate his clients as people, in order to customize his representation for each case. He is certainly an expert in the OUI/DUI/DWI field."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Matson is an accomplished and experienced DUI attorney. He is clearly the "go to" guy if you are in need of top tier legal representation."
"Russel is a well respected lawyer who has been at the top of his game for many years. He continues to work every day to improve his practice and the quality of service he delivers to his clients."
"Having reviewed this attorney's written materials and experience, I would certainly recommend him."
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Experience
Honors
2005
SFST Certification, Walden Platt and Associates
Work Experience
1997 - Present
Partner, Law office of Russell J Matson P.C
Associations
2000 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseGeneral Member
2000 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Board of Directors
Sample of Legal Cases
Leaving the Scene of Property Damage - Cambridge
Dismissed
Possession of a Class B Substance - Quincy
Dismissed at Clerk Magistrate’s Hearing
Leaving the Scene of an Accident - Dedham
Dismissed at Clerk Magistrate’s Hearing
Assault and Battery – Records Sealed
Case Permanently Sealed
Open and Gross Lewdness
Case dismissed after 3 months pretrial probation.
OUI DRUGS (2ND OFFENSE) AND NEGLIGENT OPERATION
Dismissed
3rd Offense DUI
Reduced to 2nd offense, avoided mandatory jail time.
Westboro District Court Charge: DUI Result: Case Dismissed
Dismissed
Concord District Court Charge: DUI 1st Offense, Breath Test Result: .17%
Not Guilty at Jury Trial
Dorchester DUI Trial November 2009
Not Guilty
OUI Drugs Worcester
Dismissal
Education
N/A
Northeastern University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
Speaking Engagements
2011
CLE Programs
Representing the OUI Client
2009
Representing the OUI Client
OUI Defense Panel - Continuing Legal Education for Mass Attorneys
2007
Representing the OUI Client
Tips for Defense Attorneys in Fighting Drunk Driving Charges
2006
Driver's Licensing Problems
Driver's license issues as they relate to OUI charges
Publications
2015
Attn.com
Let’s Stop Arresting People
2015
2015
Bay State Examiner
Use cameras, not breathalyzers, in drunk driving cases
2014
Bay State Examiner
License plate readers are a threat to privacy
2014
Bay State Examiner
Accountability for police who drive drunk
2013
Massachusetts Cop Block
Massachusetts License Plate Privacy Act Hopes to Keep Police Abuses At Bay
2013
Circle of Legal Trust
Your Criminal Law Firm on the Internet
2012
2012
Patriot Ledger
Few caught driving drunk with kids in car serve jail time
2012
2012
2011
Boston Globe
Since Melanie's Law, drunken driving down
2011
WWLP TV Springfield, In Focus
Melanie's Law: The Ignition Interlock
2010
Soco Magazine
DUI And Your Rights
2010
MyFoxBoston.Com
Are DUI laws in Massachusetts too relaxed?
2009
Cape Cod Times
Hardship license policies questioned
2008
Boston Herald
Bitter flaw in Melanie’s law
2008
Boston Business Journal
Lawyers looking to podcasts as potent marketing tool
2008
Brockton Enterprise
Melanie’s Law making roads safer
2007
Mass Lawyers Weekly
SJC ruling on breath test admissions
2007
Exhibit A News
Melanie's Laws
2007
Patriot Ledger
READER’S VIEW: Challenging a breath test result is only fair
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Guides