Matt Kaiser
Partner
mkaiser@kaiserlaw.com | P (202) 640-2850
"Matt Kaiser is, quite simply, one of the best lawyers I know. His meticulous attention to detail, deep knowledge of complicated issues involving legal ethics, and his wonderful demeanor make him one of the most sought-after lawyers in the area."- The Legal 500, 2023
"Matt is superb with people, which extends to witnesses, judges, and co-counsel. He is a strategic and trustworthy thinker."- Chambers USA, 2023
Matt Kaiser helps two kinds of clients: people who are facing a crisis that threatens their reputation, livelihood, or liberty; and lawyers, or their clients, who need counsel about issues involving professional responsibility or legal malpractice.
As a former assistant federal public defender, Matt has substantial litigation and courtroom experience. He also has substantial experience resolving cases or controversies outside of the courtroom. In both 2018 and 2019 he was named by Super Lawyers as one of the 100 top lawyers in Washington, D.C. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for his work in Ethics and Professional Responsibility, White-Collar Criminal Defense, and Civil Rights Law. He has been recognized by Chambers USA in White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations in Washington, DC.
Matt served for three years as the Chair of the District of Columbia Board on Professional Responsibility. He has been an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center, where he taught professional responsibility. He consults regularly on legal ethics and professional responsibility and has lectured on the topic both locally, nationally, and internationally.
Matt is active in the legal community. Highlights include:
- Vice-Chair, International Bar Association’s Criminal Law Committee
- Adjunct Professor of Law, Georgetown University, 2013 to 2020
- Member, ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, 2018 to 2020
- Chair and member of the District of Columbia Board on Professional Responsibility. (Member 2016-2022, Chair 2019-2022)
- President of the Bar Association of DC, 2017-2018
- Secretary of the D.C. Bar’s Board of Governors, 2014-2015
- Permanent Member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
- Barrister, Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court
- Member, Barristers
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Before founding Kaiser PLLC, Matt practiced at Williams & Connolly and Zuckerman Spaeder. After law school, he clerked for United States District Court Judge Catherine Blake.
Education
- J.D., The Georgetown University Law Center, magna cum laude. Senior Articles Editor, The Georgetown Law Journal
- M.A., Tulane University
- B.A., The College of Wooster
Government Service
- Assistant Federal Public Defender, Maryland Federal Public Defender's Office
- Clerkship, The Honorable Catherine C. Blake, United States District Court for the District of Maryland
Matt Kaiser
Partner
mkaiser@kaiserlaw.com | P (202) 640-2850
Matt Kaiser Co-Authors Opinion for The Wall Street Journal: The White House Flunks a Test on Sexual Assault
May 5, 2014Matt Kaiser
Partner
mkaiser@kaiserlaw.com | P (202) 640-2850
Matt Kaiser to Speak at the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics Bi-Annual Symposium
Matt Kaiser Shares Insights on Legal Ethics at AILA RDC-EMEA Conference in Amsterdam
Matt Kaiser and Stephen Gilson Teach Legal Ethics Course at Georgetown Law School
Matt Kaiser and Stephen Gilson Contribute to New Book, The Legal Privilege (Un)covered
In a Case Brought by Kaiser PLLC, the DC Circuit Finds Trump Is Not Immune from Civil Suit Over January 6
Kaiser Receives Firm and Individual Lawyer Recognitions in the 2023 Chambers USA Guide
Matt Kaiser Appointed Senior Vice Chair of the International Bar Association’s Criminal Law Committee
Washingtonian Magazine Recognizes Matt Kaiser as one of Washington D.C.’s Top Lawyers in 2022
Kaiser Recognized for Both White Collar Defense and Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Kaiser Receives Firm and Individual Lawyer Recognitions in the 2022 Chambers USA Guide
Matt Kaiser
Partner
mkaiser@kaiserlaw.com | P (202) 640-2850
What NOT to do if you’re involved in a federal criminal investigation. — Matt Kaiser
PlayHow does immunity work in a federal criminal case? — Matt Kaiser
PlayDo I have to talk to a federal grand jury? — Matt Kaiser
PlayWhat are targets, subjects, and witnesses in federal investigations? — Matt Kaiser
PlayCan I get out of jail while my federal criminal appeal is pending? — Matt Kaiser
PlayWhat do I need in order to raise an ineffective assistance of counsel claim? — Matt Kaiser
PlayIf I was served a federal grand jury subpoena, do I need a lawyer? — Matt Kaiser
PlayHow long does an appeal in a federal criminal case take? — Matt Kaiser
PlayShould you talk to federal law enforcement as part of an investigation? — Matt Kaiser
PlayWhat are my options for challenging a federal criminal conviction? — Matt Kaiser
PlayWhat issues can you raise if you appeal federal criminal charges? — Matt Kaiser
PlayHow Does Federal Sentencing Work? – Matt Kaiser
PlayCan you appeal a sentencing in a federal criminal case? — Matt Kaiser
PlayHow do federal sentencing guidelines work in fraud cases? — Matt Kaiser
PlayWhat happens before a sentence is imposed in federal court? — Matt Kaiser
PlayCan you overturn a guilty verdict in a federal criminal appeal? — Matt Kaiser
PlayHow does cooperating with federal law enforcement work? — Matt Kaiser
PlayHow do federal conspiracy charges work? — Matt Kaiser
PlayI entered a guilty plea in a federal criminal case. Can I withdraw my plea? — Matt Kaiser
PlayWhat should you do if you’ve been convicted of a federal crime? — Matt Kaiser
PlayDo you have any advice for people facing federal criminal charges? — Matt Kaiser
PlayIf I’m charged with a federal crime, should I plead or go to trial? — Matt Kaiser
PlayWill hiring a lawyer make me look guilty? – Matt Kaiser
PlayWhat happens in a federal grand jury proceeding? — Matt Kaiser
PlayHow do sentencing guidelines work for federal crimes? — Matt Kaiser
PlayShould I sue my lawyer? — Matt Kaiser
PlaySomebody is threatening me with an embarrassing lawsuit. Do I really need a lawyer? — Matt Kaiser
PlayHow long will a government investigation take? — Matt Kaiser
PlayWould a law firm I want to sue most likely want to settle, rather than go public? — Matt Kaiser
PlayWhat should I do while I’m under investigation? — Matt Kaiser
PlayShould I just explain what happened to the grand jury in my case? — Matt Kaiser
PlayCan I travel while I’m under investigation by the federal government? — Matt Kaiser
PlayWill fear of bad publicity pressure the other side to just settle? — Matt Kaiser
PlayMatt Kaiser
Partner
mkaiser@kaiserlaw.com | P (202) 640-2850
Some of the matters that Mr. Kaiser has handled include:
- Represented a key witness in the Special Counsel’s prosecution of Paul Manafort.
- Sued the Georgia Secretary of State for violating the voting rights of Georgians.
- Represented numerous high net worth people in discrete resolutions of varied kinds of alleged wrongdoing.
- Represented attorneys in negotiations and litigation about law firm departures.
- Represented lawyers and clients in fee disputes and legal malpractice litigation.
- Represented a Congressional employee in connection with an investigation by the SEC and DOJ into possible insider trading charges on political intelligence.
- Represented government officials in the executive and legislative branches in connection with investigations of potential. wrongdoing by the Department of Justice, Inspector General Offices, and congressional committees.
- Represented a number of people in federal courts in connection with allegations of securities, commodities, tax, government contracting, bankruptcy, and health care fraud.
- Served as an expert witness multiple times on varied issues of professional responsibility.
