About

About Me

Matt Pinsker is a criminal defense attorney, teacher, and author in the Henrico and Richmond, Virginia areas. He has dedicated his life to the service of justice and served his country as an officer in the US Army. As an award-winning criminal defense attorney, he is committed to getting his clients the best possible outcomes.

As an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Matt Pinsker passed on his passion for everything legal by teaching Criminal Justice. He has served as a prosecutor and magistrate, among many other roles. As a well-respected legal mind, he makes regular media appearances, and his textbook on criminal justice has assisted law students across the country in working toward their degrees.

While handling many areas of criminal law, he is most renowned for cases involving vehicular issues including drunk driving, hit-and-run, speeding, eluding, and reckless driving. He is also respected among the courts for his work in cases involving drugs, firearms, property offenses (theft, vandalism, etc.), and more. After the conclusion of a criminal case, he also handles expungements, appeals, and firearm restorations.

Lifelong Commitment to the Commonwealth

Matt Pinsker is a native Virginian and his ties to the Commonwealth run deep. He graduated from Godwin High School in Henrico, Virginia, before attending the College of William & Mary, in Williamsburg. Continuing the trend past his baccalaureate degree, Matt Pinsker achieved his law degree at West Virginia University.

Matt Pinsker went on to obtain a second law degree, an LLM, something few attorneys have achieved. He earned it at George Washington University Law School, one of only two programs in the nation at the time offering an LLM in his field.

History of Service and Legal Excellence

With a prior background in criminal prosecution, Matt Pinsker has been a criminal defense attorney since 2013. He handles cases as simple as traffic tickets to ones as complex and serious as felonies. He has built his law practice into a powerhouse, held in high regard by prosecutors, judges, and other defense attorneys. He is regularly sought out by his peers to consult on their cases, and by the national media for high-profile matters.

Since 2015, Matt Pinsker has overseen cases as a US Army Judge Advocate. His extensive service record speaks for itself. He has been deployed, served overseas, and throughout his military career has worked as both an Army defense attorney and an Army prosecutor.

As a law professor, he has shared extensive knowledge and experience with his students. Pinsker taught criminal law at Virginia Commonwealth University between 2013 and 2021. He was honored to serve a role in teaching students about homeland security and criminal justice, with many of his students going on to serve in law enforcement or work in the field of civil rights.

In 2018, Matt Pinsker was mobilized by the Army and attached to the US Department of Justice as a Special Assistant US Attorney (SAUSA). As a federal special prosecutor, Matt Pinsker handled cases involving the trafficking of drugs, firearms, and even people. For his service, he was decorated by both the Army and the Department of Justice. After finishing this assignment, he returned to his law firm and resumed criminal defense.

His written works include legal articles and publications on homeland security, international law, and cybersecurity. The diversity in his publishing credits attests to his versatility and talent in different legal areas.

Awards, Accolades, and Esteemed Educational Credentials

Besides his impressive career and legal education, Matt Pinsker is proud of other awards and accolades. These awards include the Certificate of Appreciation he received in the US Army JAG Corps and the CALI Excellence for the Future award from West Virginia University College of Law. On a personal note, he received a Pro Bono Service Award from West Virginia University College of Law for his volunteer work.

In college, Matt Pinsker was a Sharpe Scholar and received the Public Service Award at the College of William & Mary.

Educational Overachievement

At George Washington University Law School, Matt Pinsker received a Master of Laws focused on National Security and US Foreign Relations in 2013. His studies include intensive coursework on counterterrorism, constitutional law, intelligence, criminal procedure, and military justice. While at GWU, he published a thesis on “Amending UCMJ Article 66(c) to End de novo Review of Factual Sufficiency in Criminal Appeals.”

From 2009 to 2012, he attended West Virginia University College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor. He was active in many clubs and societies, including the West Virginia National Security Law Review and the Veterans Law Caucus.

Between 2005 and 2009, he attended William & Mary, completing a BA in Government and History. Matt Pinsker has always believed that having a well-rounded life is important. That's why he was active in student government, Army ROTC, and the Varsity Cheerleading Squad during his undergraduate years. His interest in maintaining a diverse lifestyle stays with him to this day.