Meghan Matt
In Louisiana, the gears of justice often grind against the most vulnerable and marginalized individuals, leaving families shattered, futures derailed, and communities ravished by a vicious cycle of persecution over justice. Meet defense attorney Meghan Matt, a catalyst for positive change in Louisiana.
Meghan Matt’s journey is a testament to her commitment to cultivating positive and meaningful change. Before law school, Meghan served as a storyteller and community organizer, and advocate, working to uplift the voices of those too often silenced by those in power.
Once armed with a law degree from the Southern University Law Center, Meghan set out to serve the people of Orleans Parish. There, she defended those who could not afford an attorney, navigating the complex waters of both misdemeanor and felony charges in a city notorious for unconstitutional policing and prosecution. Throughout her service at Orleans Public Defenders (OPD), Meghan’s presence resonated in the courtroom, yielding hundreds of positive outcomes—including full acquittals, case and charge dismissals, and reduced sentences. Meghan worked not only to secure favorable court outcomes, but also to ensure that her clients felt heard and respected in a system that too often seeks to disregard their humanity.
With her extensive experience as a public defender, Meghan gained a deep understanding of prosecutorial strategies, judicial procedures, and the persuasive elements required to align a judge’s or jury’s perspective with that of her clients’ stories and circumstances. Her unwavering support helped the most marginalized individuals reclaim their freedom and power without the lifelong burden of a criminal record. This experience laid the foundation for her work as a trial attorney in the future.
After her impactful term at OPD, Meghan embarked on a new path with the ACLU of Louisiana. There, she dedicated her skills to litigating federal civil rights cases, delving into juvenile justice, championing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, taking depositions, and playing a crucial role on a trial team that secured a federal court’s preliminary injunction, which released children from Angola prison. Once again, Meghan’s work revolved around empowering her clients and community in a system intent on stripping them of their dignity.
Media and News
Meghan Matt is a familiar face in the media. Her work has been cited in The New York Times and The Washington Post, as well as in prime-time news segments across major networks like CBS, NBC, and ABC.
Meghan’s scholarly contributions have not gone unnoticed, with articles in the ABA’s Human Rights Magazine and the Southern University Law Review, which have been downloaded thousands of times and cited in dozens of academic publications across the world. Her voice has echoed through academic circles, and her influence was further solidified with her appointment as a Junior Council Member at the Louisiana State Law Institute. She also contributed significantly to the planning of the 2022 National Civil Rights Conference, and for years has lent her voice to legislative discussions on pressing criminal legal and civil rights issues.
News and Media
Meghan is deeply committed to empowering the disenfranchised and representing and defending the interests of those most in need. She educates her clients and the community on effectively maneuvering through the complexities of Louisiana’s legal system. Her meticulous attention to detail and steadfast dedication enable her to secure victories in cases that might otherwise be considered unwinnable. She stands in unwavering allyship to the people of Louisiana and each of her clients.
Meghan currently serves as Of Counsel for The Claiborne Firm in New Orleans, where she utilizes her wisdom, insight, and extensive experience to assist clients in achieving the best possible outcome for their legal matters.
Notable Achievements
Meghan has provided legal representation to hundreds of indigent defendants through various stages of criminal litigation, including initial court appearances, bond hearings, and judge and jury trials. Her courtroom expertise is demonstrated by her consistent success in securing the suppression of statements, evidence, and identifications, securing “not guilty” verdicts, and her “bulldog” mentality that doesn’t give up until a favorable outcome for her client is secured.
In civil law, Meghan has proficiently managed numerous federal civil rights cases, undertaking an array of legal tasks including motion filing, deposition handling, and the delivery of oral arguments. Additionally, Meghan has successfully advocated for individuals at parole hearings and assisted legal teams in securing multi-million dollar jury verdicts.
Education and Bar Admissions
Meghan graduated from Southern University Law Center as valedictorian of her class and with Summa Cum Laude honors. She was on the Editorial Board of the Southern University Law Review and received CALI Excellence Awards for the highest grades in Criminal Law, Federal Jurisdiction, Louisiana Civil Procedure, Contracts, and Torts. Her academic excellence was recognized with the Top 5% Scholarship, the SULC Alumni Association Scholarship, and the Judge Carl E. Williams Scholarship. Meghan also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University, graduating with honors and being named to the Dean’s List.
In her professional capacity, Meghan is admitted to the State Bar of Louisiana and federally to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as the Eastern, Middle, and Western District Courts of Louisiana.
Memberships
Meghan holds memberships across a range of legal organizations, including the American Bar Association, where she is involved with the Litigation, Civil Rights, Solo, Small Firm and General Practice, Law Practice, and Young Lawyers Divisions. She is also a member of the Federal Bar Association, the Louisiana State Bar Association, and the New Orleans Bar Association, indicating her active participation and commitment to various sectors within the legal profession.
Echoing the words of Toni Morrison, Meghan believes that “The function of freedom is to free someone else.” She embodies this creed, relentlessly striving to secure justice and optimal outcomes for her clients, and never backing down in the face of adversity.
If you would like to learn more about Meghan Matt, please submit your contact information below to schedule a free legal consultation.
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