Paul W. Matthews, Family Court and appellate lawyer, graduated Summa Cum Laude (first in his class) from Brooklyn Law School in 1992, where he received numerous prizes and awards, including seven prestigious American Jurisprudence Awards, and served as a Law Review Editor.
He started his private law practice in Manhattan in 1996. The practice focuses on Family Law and Divorce Law, and appeals from the orders of the New York State Family Court.
Paul believes that legal fees in New York City have become way too high. His hourly rate is very reasonable for an attorney with many years of experience and he is dedicated to handling cases in the most efficient way possible, while still protecting his client’s interests.
Between 1992 and 1995 Paul served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of New York in both the Torts and Family Law Divisions. In the Torts Division, he defended New York City and its agencies against all types of lawsuits, including personal injury, property damage, false arrest, and police brutality cases.
In the Family Court Division, he prosecuted juveniles accused of committing crimes and appeared several times before Judge Judith Scheinlein (“Judge Judy”) back when she was a Judge in Manhattan Family Court.
Paul also holds an MBA (with honors). Prior to becoming an attorney he was a senior credit analyst for major textile companies and bank subsidiaries. He was also the President of the” Downtown Group”, a New York association of credit managers and credit officers in the textile industry.
While working in the textile industry, he also served as an Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Society.
Paul is a founding member and past President of the Manhattan Family Court Bar Association, a Specialty Bar Association which is part of the New York State Bar Association.
He was the longest running president in the history of the Association, having served in that capacity for over 10 years.
He has also taught numerous continuing legal education classes to other attorneys on various topics, including evidence, child support, termination of parental rights cases, and client relations, and has trained and mentored many new attorneys.
In the evening, he gives back to the community by representing people in Small Claims Court in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island courts.
Paul has many other hobbies and interests. He is rapidly becoming an expert on internet marketing and search engine optimization. He has been practicing Wing Chun, a Chinese Martial Art based upon taoist principles since 2005.
“Paul Matthews handled my divorce. It was uncontested and went smoothly, so I hired him again 2 yrs later when my ex-wife tried to get full custody of our Daughter. My wife’s lawyer tried unsuccessfully, to get a restraining order and have my Daughter removed from the home she lived in with me 5 days a week. I consulted with a few attorneys for advice before hiring Mr. Matthews. They all gave me good advice but honestly, Mr. Matthews rate was very fair. I am a freelance filmmaker with an uncertain income each month, but still needed the best representation. Mr. Matthews knows what he is doing in court, this is his domain. It was not quick or easy, but I won my case and it made the relationship with my Daughter even better. I thank Paul for his dedication and professionalism. I recommend him highly.”
Robert O’haire,Verified Google review
