Matt M. Paavola

MATT PAAVOLA has tried cases at all levels of the Maryland court systems: District Court, Circuit Court, Federal Court, Court of Special Appeals of Maryland and the Court of Appeals of Maryland.

A graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, Matt began the practice of law in the Essex area in 1982. He founded his own firm in 1986.  He now serves as "Of Counsel" for the Towson law office of Hochberg, Costello & Baron.

 Mr. Paavola is a member in good standing of the Maryland Association for Justice (formerly the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association). The thrust of his focus has been workers' compensation legislation that improves the status of the injured worker. He was nominated and elected to the Board of Governors in 2000 and retired in 2005 when he received the MAJ prestigious Defender of Justice Award.

Mr. Paavola is very active with charitable groups.  He has served as State Membership Director of the Greater Baltimore Christian Legal Society for over three decades. That effort has led to the creation of a law student mentoring program connecting students with local members of the Christian Legal Society. In 2022, Mr. Paavola helped to found a free legal aid clinic in South Baltimore known as the Good Samaritan Advocates where locals meet with volunteer Christian attorneys monthly at the City of Refuge facility in Brooklyn.

Mr. Paavola is active on the Baltimore County Bar Association and the Maryland State Bar Association serving on the Insurance, Negligence and Worker's Compensation subcommittee.  he currently serves on the Judicial Selections Sub Committee for the Baltimore County Bar Association. He was nominated in 2023 and selected to serve on the Maryland Court of Appeals' Standing Committee on Pro Bono Services.

Awards & Recognitions:
•    2017 Who's Who Directories - Top Attorney of North America

•    2015 co-recipient of The Daily Record's Leadership in Law Award

•    2015 co-recipient of the prestigious Trial Lawyer of the Year Award conferred by the Maryland Association of Justice.

•    Defenders of Justice Award in Grateful Appreciation of Matt's Work in Preserving the Civil Rights of Maryland Citizens During the 2005 Maryland Legislative Session for the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association.

•    Induction into the Honor Guard Award bestowed upon Matt M. Paavola for faithful Pro Bono Service and Kingdom Lawyering by the Alliance Defense Fund, September 12, 2006.

•    Essex - Middle River - White Marsh Chamber of Commerce Special Recognition Award presented to Matt M. Paavola for his dedication and service to the community, 2005

•    The Maryland Bar Foundation's Election as a Fellow for demonstrating outstanding dedication to the community, the administration of justice and the traditions of the profession of law.