Criminal Defense, DUI Defense, Personal Injury & General Litigation.
Matt Burgess is a graduate of The Citadel and a South Carolina native, born in Columbia and raised in Camden. Matt represents his clients in matters involving a variety of practice areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & Traffic, Personal Injury, Auto Accidents, Workers’ Compensation, Appellate & General Civil Litigation, among others. Matt has been named a member of the National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers, the National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40, the American Society of Legal Advocates: Top 40 Under 40, and the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys: Top 10 Under 40. His casework has been featured locally and nationally on networks and in publications, including: Fox, CNN, the New York Times & USA Today.
The Law Office of Matt Burgess, Ltd. Co. is located in downtown Rock Hill, SC. Matt regularly takes cases in York County and the surrounding areas- Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Kershaw & Lancaster counties- but has also represented clients across South Carolina’s Midlands & Lowcountry: Lexington, Richland, Sumter & Charleston counties, among others.
Matt also volunteers with the South Carolina State Guard as a Captain in the JAG Section. In 2015, he was awarded the Commendation Medal for pro bono representation undertaken in the exoneration case of State v. Stinney (1944): In 2013, Matt spearheaded a legal effort to clear the name of George Stinney, Jr., the youngest defendant executed in the United States since the beginning of the 20th Century. In December 2014, seven decades after Stinney’s death, the murder conviction was vacated, marking perhaps the first time in U.S. history where judicial process has set aside a conviction post-execution. USA Today’s “50 Stories from 50 States” named Stinney South Carolina’s biggest story in 2014.
Matt is a believer in the system created by our Founding Fathers, and understands that justice is only truly reached through diligent representation from both sides of our adversarial system. He firmly believes that the Constitutional safeguards promised to each of our citizens are what set us apart as a Nation, and that these safeguards are to be vehemently protected: All are equal before the eyes of the law. All are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Matt is devoted to the preservation of these principles and takes pride in defending those rights on behalf of his clients charged with criminal offenses. He is similarly committed to representing the interests of those who have suffered harm caused by others’ negligence.
Matt received his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from The Citadel, where he was the recipient of the 2010 Citadel English Faculty Award, awarded annually for the most outstanding academic essay submitted during the specified school year. As a freshman, “fourth-class” cadet, he was the youngest member of the entering class, having graduated early from high school (three years), and served in a number of leadership roles at The Military College. As a junior, he was chosen as the November Company First Sergeant, tasked with the general supervision of more than 100 peers and subordinates. As a senior, he was a member of the 2010 Summerall Guards, chosen for membership following a demanding initiation process of rigorous physical training.
Upon graduating from The Citadel with honors in May 2010, Matt enrolled at Charleston School of Law. As a law student, he served as an extern in the quarters of The Honorable Thomas L. Hughston, Jr. In December 2012, Matt graduated early from law school and became licensed to practice in his home state.
Matt is driven by the notion of making a positive difference in the lives of others, particularly those who need it most. Each of his clients will receive every effort to ensure that their rights are protected.
