T.J. Matthes

T.J. Matthes is a principal with the firm. T.J. received a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University in 2011 and his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2014, where he worked in the Criminal Defense Clinic. T.J. began working as an intern with our firm in 2013. He was admitted to practice in Missouri and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in 2015. He was admitted to practice in Illinois in 2017 and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois in 2023.

T.J.’s main area of practice is criminal defense. He has represented individuals in federal and state courts throughout the United States, including Missouri, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, Iowa, Tennessee, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas, and has obtained acquittals for his clients who were facing murder charges in three of those states. T.J. has been selected to the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers list. He has won acquittals at jury trials on charges of murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery, assault, sexual assault, domestic assault, aggravated battery with a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, armed criminal action, and drug offenses, among others. T.J. has been retained by several lawyers to represent them against criminal charges, which attests to the respect the legal community has for his work as a criminal defense trial lawyer.

Year Joined Firm

  • 2014

Areas of Practice

  • Criminal Defense

Bar Admissions

  • Missouri, 2015
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri, 2015
  • Illinois, 2017
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 2023

Education

  • Saint Louis University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri
    • J.D. - 2014
    • Law Journal: Saint Louis University Law Journal, Member
  • The Ohio State University
    • B.A. - 2011
    • Major: Political Science

Published Works

  • The Armed Career Criminal Act: A Severe Implication Without Explanation, Saint Louis University Law Journal (2015)
  • United States v. Walker: The Meaning of Not Less Than 15 Years, Saint Louis University Law Journal Online (2014)

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Federal Bar Association, Member
  • Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
  • Theodore McMillian American Inn of Court

Featured Reviews

By Trinetta for Firm | Hired Firm

★★★★★ (September 16, 2023)

TJ Matthes was in his element at my son’s trial. Very confident and comfortable in a courtroom. He made sure that when I needed to speak with him he was available to do so. I am extremely satisfied. He saved my son’s life. Thank you thank thank you🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾. Highly recommend

Larron Hamilton

★★★★★ (February, 2023)

T.J Mathes and Scott ROSENBLUM saved my life!!! Not guilty verdict! Highly recommended. Top dogs cost top dollar when your life is on the line!

Ralph edwards

★★★★★ (December 09, 2022)

Scott Rosenblum and T.J. Matthes are "THE BEST by FAR!!!" I had never heard the term "Super Lawyer" until we were in serious need of legal representation for my very close family member who was faced with two felony charges over something they were not totally at fault in. We met with Scott Rosenblum and were convinced we were with the right firm, he assigned T.J. Matthes to work with us. T.J.'s knowledge of the judicial system and his expertise in representing his client is "top notch", his tireless efforts (even in the evenings and on weekends) helped gather the facts and paint the picture of what actually happened and ultimately resulted in the dismissal of the most significant "Class C" felony charge, he was also able to negotiate with the court to get Suspended Imposition of Sentence with 3 years’ probation on the other "Class D" felony charge. Scott was always working with T.J. in the background and they both provided excellent communication throughout the entire process. Something that is very important and often not known, is these guys share a mutual respect of the courts and after seeing this in action it's crucial to their success. I would recommend T.J and Scott anytime you're in need of Legal Guidance and Consulting. Thanks for all you guys do!!!

Barbara McKay

★★★★★ (July 13, 2022)

I very highly recommend TJ Matthes of Rosenblum, Schwartz, & Fry as your bulldog in a legal battle. He is an amazing lawyer who goes above and beyond to take care of his clients. We started out needing a criminal defense attorney when our adult son in the autism spectrum was falsely accused of a class A felony. TJ's expertise prevented our son from being questioned & no charges were ever filed, but the liar wasn't done. (The goal was to ruin us.) TJ stayed with us as our son, my husband, and myself went through multiple hearings in multiple counties - against the same person - to defend us against orders of protection, false claims of violations of temporary orders, slanderous defamation with our jobs, and even to represent us for our order of protection cases. TJ represented us when our full orders of protection were appealed - a massive undertaking - for another WIN! When the legal attacks moved out of state, TJ went above and beyond to represent us for the first court date and found us another bulldog lawyer who won for us there. In total, we have won 15+ cases in the past 2 years. The liar is now facing criminal charges herself with more to come. We are so blessed to have TJ on our side, fighting our battles for our son and ourselves like he was fighting for family.

Barbara McKay

★★★★★ (July 13, 2022)

I very highly recommend TJ Matthes of Rosenblum, Schwartz, & Fry as your bulldog in a legal battle. He is an amazing lawyer who goes above and beyond to take care of his clients. We started out needing a criminal defense attorney when our adult son in the autism spectrum was falsely accused of a class A felony. TJ's expertise prevented our son from being questioned & no charges were ever filed, but the liar wasn't done. (The goal was to ruin us.) TJ stayed with us as our son, my husband, and myself went through multiple hearings in multiple counties - against the same person - to defend us against orders of protection, false claims of violations of temporary orders, slanderous defamation with our jobs, and even to represent us for our order of protection cases. TJ represented us when our full orders of protection were appealed - a massive undertaking - for another WIN! When the legal attacks moved out of state, TJ went above and beyond to represent us for the first court date and found us another bulldog lawyer who won for us there. In total, we have won 15+ cases in the past 2 years. The liar is now facing criminal charges herself with more to come. We are so blessed to have TJ on our side, fighting our battles for our son and ourselves like he was fighting for family.

Taylor Jones

★★★★★ (June 16, 2022)

"TJ Mattews hands down best lawyer ever I 1000 percent recommend them thank you so much"

Terrill Smith

★★★★★ (2021)

"TJ defended my brother. My brother was a very difficult client with prior felony convictions. He was facing 29 years in prison. He spent two and a half years behind bars fighting for his freedom. He was denied bond several times. The odds where completely stacked against him. I urged my brother to take a plea deal, because I didn't believe that his case was winnable. He's extremely stubborn, and insisted on moving forward, and going to trial. We hired TJ to take on the case. It's very difficult to find a lawyer that will go to Trial. It's even more difficult to find one that will work hard and win. That's exactly what TJ did. He worked hard, and he won. He's a winner. It's in his blood. You can feel it when you're around him. I've never seen an attorney work as hard as he did. He told me that he wouldn't bet agains himself in a trial, and he's going to fight like hell for my brother. TJ's a real life super attorney in my book. He knew exactly what to do, and how to do it. His defense was surgical. The jury deliberation was quick and simple. It felt great to hear the judge speak those magical words "Not guilty on all counts."

Steven Hudman

★★★★★ (2021)

"Mark (T.J.) Matthes represented my son in a criminal case. My son committed various felonies that could have resulted in considerable prison time for him. T.J. got my son into a diversion program through the Circuit Attorney’s office. My son went into the program and the requirements are to enter a guilty plea and complete several phases/levels of the program with signs of improvement (according to the rules) at the completion of each phase. In addition, the rules states continuous failure or noncompliance with the rules will result in expulsion from the diversion program and with the guilty plea; one would be sent straightaway to be sentenced. Absolutely, T.J.’s job was complete when my son entered into the diversion. Close to a year later in a program that should’ve taken eight months to complete my son was called to the CA’s office for an intervention. T.J. volunteered to participate in the meeting were concerns of my son’s mental health condition was a point of topic. (Thank you, T.J. for taking the time out of your schedule to attend the meeting at the CA’s office. Thank you!) During, that year while involved in the program we as his family sought-out behavioral health assistance from local hospitals for possible treatments; but with all the doctors first informing my son of his rights he simply would not follow through with any suggested counselling sessions and recommendations. After, the intervention and skipping forward seven months my son was re-arrested on additional charges. T.J. was contacted by the CA’s office for the second time simply because he was the attorney on file. When we talked T.J could have just said “seek other counsel” and would have been well within his rights and I would have understood completely. But, what did he say, “let me look into it.” I went personal with this post because my son received personal service from his attorney T.J. Matthes. I learned through this process how considerate, compassionate, and caring T.J. is as a person and as a lawyer. I know it may be hard for some reading this post to believe given the adjectives express in describing an attorney, but those adjectives enumerated are true! T.J.’s guiding principle is not the pursuit of some superficial aspiration, but by optimal outcomes for his clients and his love of the law. Furthermore, I’ve learned just how well known and respected he is by prosecutors and judges. I witness with my own eyes how he has the ears of Judges, Circuit Attorneys, and their Prosecutors. T.J.’s character and expertise as an attorney and the respect he has with those charged with given you prison time resulted in my son being diagnosed, having a treatment plan; receiving the much needed help he needs, and his plea of guilty removed and very possibly having all his charges dropped. This is not conventional; this does not happen but T.J. Matthes made it happen! My son could have fallen through the cracks of behavioral health bureaucracies locked away in prison getting unhealthier with his affliction of mental illness and lost to his love ones. However, due to T.J.’s tireless efforts my son has a future filled with possibilities and hope. I would recommend T.J. Matthes to anyone faced with criminal charges. As, I say “Your first defense is the quality of attorney you hire.” In T.J. you have the best they come. He puts the time in so that you don’t have to"

Zachary Schiff

★★★★★ (2021)

"TJ Matthes is one of the hardest working attorneys that I have ever worked with. He cares deeply about his clients and has a passion for winning. I highly recommend TJ for any criminal needs. He is the best."