Matt is a University of Michigan Law School Graduate and currently works as the Chief Financial Officer at the Legal Accountability Project and as a Judicial Law Clerk at the US Court of Appeals. In this episode, Matt takes us on a gripping ride through his evolution from military veteran to law student, sharing unforgettable stories that span the battlefield and the classroom.
We kick things off not in law school but in the skies, tracing Matt’s career in the Air Force and his transition into the military, including a deployment to Afghanistan. His vivid recounting of a near-death experience—taking enemy fire, leaping from a helicopter, and tearing ligaments—captures both the chaos and sacrifice of his service. But it wasn’t just combat that shaped Matt’s future. A traumatic encounter with a platoon sergeant would plant the first seeds of his interest in law.
From there, Matt honed a military-grade decision-making framework: meticulous planning, discipline, and adaptability. He carried these principles into civilian life, blazing through his undergraduate degree at Indiana University in just two years. His relentless thirst for knowledge and new challenges eventually led him to the University of Michigan Law School, where his first year tested him in ways both stressful and bittersweet.
Throughout law school, Matt leaned on his military training—planning months in advance, minimizing distractions, and accepting the unpredictability of life. His discipline and focus paid off through a series of clerkships, internships, and trailblazing work with ChatGPT. Matt was among the first to integrate AI tools into his clerkship, turbocharging his productivity and offering a glimpse into the future of the legal profession.
Now, as the Director and CFO of the Legal Accountability Project—a brainchild of former guest Aliza Shatzman—Matt continues to push boundaries, blending legal expertise with forward-thinking leadership.
This conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom, from battlefield grit to legal innovation. If there were a podcast hall of fame, this episode would be an instant inductee. Tune in for a story of resilience, reinvention, and relentless curiosity that will leave you inspired and motivated.
Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelawtinovet
Legal Accountability Project: https://www.legalaccountabilityproject.org
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