It was the late ‘80s, and Matt Danielson was a young police officer with Chesterfield County Police Department, as well as a lieutenant in the Virginia Army National Guard. He was sitting in court waiting for a defendant’s case to be called. He watched as the attorneys ran through the docket, and thought, “I could do this.”

And that was all it took: Matt enrolled at the University of Dayton School of Law, and has been practicing since 1993, first as a prosecutor in the Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, where he tried thousands of cases and eventually became the Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney, leading all three of the office’s trial teams.

In 2003, Matt joined Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group, allowing him to combine his enthusiasm for the law and his passion for motorcycles. He has successfully represented motorcyclists in matters ranging from simple property damage trials to complex multi-million-dollar injury cases. He also represents victims of auto and tractor-trailer accidents, as well as victims of medical malpractice. In addition to his duties as a trial attorney, Matt is a registered lobbyist who works to protect the rights of motorcyclists at both the state and federal level. He often lectures throughout the country in regard to laws affecting motorcycle riders.

“I truly enjoy practicing law and helping injured clients. When a person tells you that you helped them through a difficult and scary time, and that you made that difficult time easier, it makes you feel good. I am proud that what I have chosen to do for a living is helping others.”

Matt developed a passion for motorcycling in 2000 when he took the basic rider course on a whim. He bought his first bike, a 2001 Harley-Davidson Low Rider, in April 2001 and rode to Myrtle Beach Bike Week the following month. He has since ridden through all of the lower 48 states, and once, he and a small group of friends rode from coast to coast in under 44 hours.

Matt splits his riding between his Indian Challenger and his Triumph Bonneville Bobber, and is licensed to practice law in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Recognitions

  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America
  • Top 100 Civil Plaintiff’s Attorneys
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Service

  • Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists (VCOM)
  • Motorcycle Riders Foundation
  • Concerned Bikers Association/ABATE of North Carolina
  • ABATE of South Carolina
  • ABATE of Virginia
  • ABATE of Georgia
  • Virginia Biker’s Association

Education

  • A.A. Ferrum College
  • B.A., George Mason University, History
  • J.D., University of Dayton School of Law