Matthew Alan Radefeld
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Clayton, Missouri
Radefeld Law Group, LLC
Practice areas: Criminal Defense, White Collar Crimes; view more
Licensed in Missouri since: 2000
Education: Saint Louis University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2009 Call today:
314-860-3068
Radefeld Law Group, LLC
7711 Bonhomme AveSuite 710
Clayton, MO 63105 Visit website
Matthew is the founding member of the Radefeld Law Group in Clayton, Missouri specializing in Federal and State criminal and crime victim’s advocacy law. Over the last 25 years, he has tried cases throughout Illinois, Missouri, the District Courts of Eastern and Western Missouri and the Southern District of Illinois. He has argued before the Eastern, Western and Southern Appellate Districts of Missouri, Fifth District Appellate Court of Illinois, the Missouri Supreme Court and U.S.C.A. for the Eighth and Seventh Circuits. He is licensed in the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S.C.A for the Armed Forces.
Matthew has served as Chair of BAMSL’s Criminal Practice Section and was a member of its CLE Committee and Board of Governors. He served three terms on the Missouri Bar Young Lawyers Section, during which he served on its Executive Council, the Public Defender and Special Needs Task Forces. He is also a Past President of the St. Louis County Bar Association. Lastly, Matthew has served on the Board of Directors for the Midwest Innocence Project and is an Executive Council member of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL).
Matthew has a long service record with the U.S. Military. At the age of 17, he entered and served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves from 1993-2000. Soon after he was honorably discharged from the Marines, the 9/11 tragedy occurred, and Matthew once again volunteered to serve his country. This time he was commissioned in the U.S. Army Reserves wherein he served 9 years in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps and obtained the rank of Captain. In both of these branches of the military, Matthew received numerous awards and commendations.
Matthew has a background in law enforcement and has prosecuted cases in both state and military courts. During law school, Matthew interned at the McLean County, Illinois State’s Attorney’s Office, the City of St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri. Through these experiences, Matthew has had an opportunity to see how a criminal case works its way through the prosecution system and has utilized this knowledge to better assist his clients today.
Matthew has achieved the distinction of being rated as an AV-Preeminent lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell in the area of criminal defense, a distinction reserved for the Top 5% of lawyers in the nation. Matthew has been listed in the “U.S. News & World Report” as a top attorney and has been recognized by “Best Lawyers”. Throughout his career, he has received numerous other accolades for his litigation skills. Matthew’s accomplishments in criminal trial work was recognized by his peers and judges when he was awarded the 2014 Lon O. Hocker Award for excellence in trial practice by the Missouri Bar. Matthew has also authored numerous legal articles and presented CLE’s for the Missouri Bar, MACDL, the Missouri Public Defenders Annual Meetings and Lorman Education Services.
In addition to defending criminal cases, Matthew has used his vast connections in St. Louis and his knowledge of the courtroom to represent individuals who have been a victim of a crime in civil cases against individuals and/or organizations that caused injury to another person. Matthew has also successfully assisted clients with representation in administrative hearings pertaining to Child Abuse and Neglect Review Boards, Title IX hearings at universities and colleges throughout Missouri and Illinois, Department of Mental Health proceedings, Department of Agriculture EBT benefits contests, Department of Defense Security Clearance hearings, Conceal and Carry Permit Appeals, federal and state forfeitures, sex offender registration removals and order of protection hearings- to name just a few.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: White CollarFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Failure to Pay Child Support, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Murder, Overdrawn Bank Account, Tax Evasion, Theft, White Collar Crime
- 50% Criminal Defense
- 50% Criminal Defense: White Collar
First Admitted: 2000, Missouri
Professional Webpage: https://www.radlaw.org/about
Bar / Professional Activity
- Missouri, 2000
- U.S. District Court for New Mexico, 2022
- Illinois, 2001
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri, 2000
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2000
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 2003
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2004
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 2005
- U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri, 2016
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2018
- U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 2018
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Criminal Law Section, Former Chair
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member, Military Law Comm.
- Barrister, The Theodore McMillan American Inn of Court, 2012-2014
- The Missouri Bar, Young Lawyer Council, Elected Delegate
- Criminal Justice Act Lead Panel, Eastern District of Missouri, Member
- Defense Counsel/Treatment Team Member, Veteran's Treatment Court-St. Louis County Circuit Court
- St. Louis County Bar Association, President (2020); Executive Council Member (2014-2020)
- Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Board of Directors (2019-Present); Member (2000- Present)
- Midwest Innocence Project, Board Member (2019-Present)
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- D.G. v. MSHP, et al, 669 S.W.3d 177 (Mo. App. E.D. 2023)
- State v. Wilder, 457 S.W. 3d 354 (Mo. App S.D. 2015)
- People's National Bank v. Mehlman, 415 S.W. 3d 761 (Mo. App E.D. 2013)
- Williams v. Col. Lee, 331 S.W.3d 298 (Mo. 2011)
- State v. Silva, 291 S.W.3d 371 (Mo. App 2009)
- U.S. v. Braggs, 196 Fed. Appx. 442 (8th Cir. 2006)
- McGrath v. Bowen, 192 S.W. 3d 515 (Mo. App. E.D. 2006)
- U.S. v. Strauser, 247 F.Supp.2d 1135 (E.D. Mo 2003)
Pro bono / Community Service
- Fellow, Missouri Bar Foundation, 2015
- "HavenHouse St. Louis", Board of Directors, Executive Council Member, 2005-2008
Educational Background
- Juris Doctorate- Saint Louis University School of Law
- Bachelor of Arts- Administration of Justice Southern Illinois University- Carbondale
- Associates in Applied Science- Law Enforcement
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Gun Laws in America and Missouri: An Overview, The St. Louis Bar Journal, Fall 2016
- DWI-Manual, Missouri Bar Desk Reference Series, Editor, 2014
- Author, "Ever Heard of the Lautenberg Amendment? Don't Worry Your Not Alone.", October issue of Missouri Lawyer's Weekly., 2005
- Lecturer, What Every Business Law Attorney Should Know About Criminal Law, Lorman Educational Services, 2012
- Lecturer, Criminal Law 101: What Every New Attorney Should Know About Criminal Law, Missouri Bar Judicial Conference, 2012
- Contributor, Lorman Education Services, CLE Webinars(several Criminal Law Topics), 2014
- Speaker, Criminal Law 101, Missouri Bar Annual Meeting, 2012
- Reformation of Sex Offender Registration Laws, 2014
- Speaker, Criminal Law 101, Missouri Bar Annual Meeting, 2012
- Contributor, Lorman Education Services, CLE Webinars(several Criminal Law Topics), 2014
Other Outstanding Achievements
- 1993-2000, United States Marine Corps Reserves, achieving the rank of Corporal. Served four years in a Scout/Sniper Platoon and then as a legal clerk for the Marine JAG. Have been given numerous awards and honors.
- 2002-2010, United States Army Reserves Judge Advocate General Corps, obtained the rank of Captain wherein he tried several criminal courts martials and administrative separation hearings. Have been given numerous awards and honors.
Honors
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum, N/A, 2024
- 2022-Present, Best Lawyers, N/A, 2022
- 2000- Recipient, Milton F. Napier Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy from the Lawyers Association of St. Louis
- 2004-Selectee, "30 Under 30"-Class of 2004 by the St. Louis Business Journal
- 2009- Named "Up & Coming" by the Missouri Lawyers Weekly
- 2009- Recipient, Roy F. Essen Outstanding Young Lawyer Award (from the St. Louis County Bar Association
- 2009-Present--Named "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" in Missouri, American Trial Lawyers Association
- 2010- Present--Given an "AV-Preeminent" Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Registry of Preeminent Attorneys
- 2014- Lon O. Hocker Outstanding Trial Attorney Award, Missouri Bar Foundation
- 2019- Selectee, Marquis Who's Who in America
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Matt and I used to work together, and I have had the opportunity to try several cases with him. He gets results. Matt has a commanding trial presence and has dozens of not guilty verdicts in his 20 plus years' experience. Great lawyer.”
“Matt's defense of misdemeanor and felony cases in state and federal courts is top tier in the St. Louis area. I would not hesitate to refer this attorney for close friends and family.”
“Matt is a seasoned and very talented trial lawyer in the area of criminal defense. He has the respect of the bench and the community.”
“Excellent lawyer who fights for his client's rights.”
“Highly qualified and gifted attorney.”
“Partner in my firm. Co-counsel on multiple trials. Several acquittals. Matt is a zealous advocate for his clients. He is also the leading expert on clients seeking removal from the sex offender registry.”
“Excellent attorney, considered one of the best attorneys for sex crimes in St. Louis. ”
Office location for Matthew Alan Radefeld
7711 Bonhomme Ave
Suite 710
Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: 314-860-3068
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2009
