Matthew A.S. Esworthy

Partner mase@shapirosher.com
36 South Charles Street
Suite 2000
Baltimore, MD 21201-3147
Telephone: 410.385.4222
Facsimile: 410.539.7611

 

Matthew A.S. Esworthy is a partner in the Firm’s litigation department. He concentrates on general civil and criminal litigation, including white collar criminal defense, complex commercial litigation, securities litigation, partnership disputes, employment law, and appeals.

Mr. Esworthy has achieved favorable results in a number of high profile cases. In recent years, he has successfully defended a Baltimore law firm in a multi-million dollar defamation/invasion of privacy lawsuit brought by a public official; successfully represented minority shareholders of a Fortune 500 company in a complex shareholder dispute; and achieved favorable results in a civil conspiracy/intentional tort lawsuit involving internationally-renowned recording artists, producers and record labels.

Mr. Esworthy has defended individuals targeted for criminal prosecution by federal and state authorities involving a wide variety of criminal charges. These cases have resolved in favorable plea deals for the defendants or defense verdicts when the matter went to trial.

Before entering private practice, Mr. Esworthy served as Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Joseph F. Murphy, Jr., former Chief Judge of the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland, who was recently elevated to the Court of Appeals of Maryland. An active member of bar associations, Mr. Esworthy also serves on the board of Baltimore nonprofit Civic Works, Inc. and of the Clarence H. “Du” Burns Memorial Fund, Inc., to which he is also general counsel.

News & Publications

 

October 2, 2009: ACORN lawsuit may be legal nightmare for filmmakers, distributors. The Washington Examiner quotes Matthew Esworthy in an article regarding the ongoing scandal.

"Electronically stored information can stretch the boundaries of the contract's 'four corners.'" The Daily Record, November 17, 2008.

"Theofel v. Farey-Jones and Unlawful Subpoenas." The Baltimore Business Journal, September 14, 2007.

"Beware the Midnight Witness Rule." The Daily Record, November 3, 2006.

"Jury Nullification: A Quixotic Theory, Part I," The Daily Record, May 19, 2006.

"Jury Nullification: A Quixotic Theory, Part II," The Daily Record, June 2, 2006.

June 15, 2006: Named Acting General Counsel and a Member of the Board of the Clarence H. "Du" Burns Memorial Fund, Inc.  More >>

January 2006: Elected to Board of Directors of Civic Works, a Baltimore service corps dedicated to enhancing the skills of young adults.

 

Practice Areas
Bar Admissions
  • Maryland
  • United States District Court for the District of Maryland
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland

Education
  • Skidmore College (B.A., 1998)
  • The Dickinson School of Law, Pennsylvania State University (J.D., 2001); Volunteer, Pro Bono Project; Robert M. Frey Scholarship

Affiliations, Achievements and Honors
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Maryland State Bar Association
  • Member, Baltimore County Bar Association
  • Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Member, Federal Bar Association
  • Member, Board of Directors, Civic Works
  • Member, Board of Directors, and Acting General Counsel, Clarence H. "Du" Burns Memorial Fund, Inc.
  • Member, J. Dudley Digges Inn of Court
  • Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Joseph F. Murphy, Jr., Chief Judge of the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland (2001-2002)

  • Baltimore Office
    36 South Charles Street
    Suite 2000
    Baltimore, MD 21201
    410.385.0202
  • Washington Office
    300 M Street, S.E.
    Suite 1102
    Washington, D.C. 20003
    202.331.0200