Matthew D. Ballew

Senior Partner

Raleigh Attorney Matthew Ballew

Matthew Ballew practices in all areas of the firm, including Police Brutality and Civil Rights, Medical Malpractice, Complex Business Litigation, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Premises Liability and General and Class-Action Civil Litigation.  Matt aspires to a practice of law that centers around helping people. He has dedicated his career to representing individuals who find themselves facing the toughest times of their lives, and often up against the endless resources of insurance companies, giant corporations, or governmental bodies. He has successfully helped his clients fight for and obtain justice in major medical malpractice, complex business and investment fraud, and breach of contract partnership trials in North Carolina. Matt is a courtroom advocate, focusing nearly 100% of his practice on civil litigation, jury trials, and appellate representation across the state.

A native of North Carolina, Matt grew up in Marion, a small town in the foothills of the state. He graduated summa cum laude from North Carolina State University, receiving a B.A. with Honors in History and a B.A. in Political Science. He went on to receive his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During law school, Matt was one of ten students from his class selected onto the Broun National Trial Team, the law school’s nationally competitive mock trial group. During his final year, Matt was elected President of the UNC Trial Law Academy, and he competed in the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) “Tournament of Champions” with the 16 top-ranked trial teams in the country.

From the outset, Matt has devoted his work as a lawyer to the representation of individuals, particularly those injured by the negligence, abuse of power, or professional malpractice of others. Matt takes pride in the fact that there are no client or case “numbers” at Zaytoun & Ballew. There are real people. People with important life stories, each of whom deserves the best the team at Zaytoun & Ballew can provide. Matt never ceases to find professional fulfillment and revitalization from the strength and spirit of each individual he has the privilege of representing.

He is proud to serve in numerous leadership capacities with North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ), a volunteer non-profit organization. He regularly writes and presents in connection with continuing legal education seminars in the areas of medical malpractice and civil litigation. In 2014, he was appointed to serve on the NCAJ Board of Governors and continues to serve in that capacity today.  In 2014, he was selected as Chair of the NCAJ Professional Negligence Section.  He continues to serve annually on the NCAJ Legal Affairs committee, and in that role has co-authored and served on moot court panels for numerous amicus curiae briefs to the North Carolina Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.

Matt is married to his amazing wife, Jennifer, a high school social studies teacher in Raleigh. They have lived in the Triangle since 2001, and are the proud parents of three delightfully spirited and precious children who are growing far too quickly. In his spare time, Matt enjoys playing guitar, and has been the lead guitar player in several local bands. Digging deep into music – especially improvisational styles and legendary rock, blues, and jazz records – is a lifetime passion. When he can find the time, he also enjoys reading, cooking, and pulling for the N.C. State Wolfpack.

Practice Areas:

Bar Admissions:

  • State of North Carolina
  • United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
  • Wake County Bar

Education:

  • J.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2009
  • B.A., History, North Carolina State University, 2005 (Honors Thesis: “In the Shadow of Civil War: Evaluating North Carolina’s Call to Arms, 1860-1861”)
  • B.A., Political Science, North Carolina State University, 2005

 Presentations and Papers:

Presentations

  • Host and Organizer, Proving Pain and Suffering Through Every Stage of Your Trial (Feb. 2016, NCAJ Headquarters, Raleigh, NC)
  • Presenter, McGrady and Daubert – What You Need to Know About Experts in North Carolina (Nov. 2016, NCAJ Headquarters,                   Raleigh, NC)
  • Presenter, Clear and Convincing Evidence: The Higher Burden of Proof for “Emergency Medical Conditions” (Nov. 2015, NCAJ                   Headquarters, Raleigh, NC)
  • Presenter, Medical Malpractice Case Law Update (June 2015, NCAJ Annual Convention, Sunset Beach, N.C.)
  • Co-Presenter, Rule 702(b) Expert Challenges: A Recent Experience (June 2014, NCAJ Annual Convention, Wilmington, N.C.)
  • Presenter, Medical Malpractice Case Law Update (June 2014, NCAJ Annual Convention, Wilmington, N.C.)
  • Presenter, Medical Malpractice Case Law Update (June 2013, NCAJ Annual Convention, Wilmington, N.C.)
  • Presenter, A New Keeper At the Gate: Predicting the Effect of Revised Rule 702(a) on Medical Malpractice in North Carolina (November 2012, NCAJ Headquarters, Raleigh, N.C.)
  • Presenter, Medical Malpractice Case Law Update (June 2012, NCAJ Annual Convention, Wilmington, N.C.)
  • Presenter, Representing Medical Malpractice Victims After Senate Bill 33 (August 2011, NCAJ Headquarters, Raleigh, N.C.)
  • Presenter, Medical Malpractice Case Law Update (June 2011, NCAJ Annual Convention, Wilmington, N.C.)
  • Host, New Admittee Professionalism Program (August 2011, NCAJ Headquarters, Raleigh, N.C.)
  • Host, New Admittee Professionalism Program (April 2011, NCAJ Headquarters, Raleigh, N.C.)

Papers

Reported Cases:

  • Law Offices Juliano v. Jensen, 673 Fed. Appx. 291 (4th Cir. 2016)
  • King v. Bryant, 368 N.C. 901 (2016) (amicus)
  • State v. McGrady, 368 N.C. 880 (2016) (amicus)
  • Estate of Capps v. Blondeau, 2015 NCBC 38 (2015)
  • Ray v. N.C. DOT, 336 N.C. 1, 727 S.E.2d 675 (2012)
  • Moore v. Proper, 366 N.C. 25; 726 S.E.2d 812 (2012) (amicus)

Professional, Civic and Community Activities:

  • Member – North Carolina State Bar
  • Member – North Carolina Advocates for Justice
    • Board of Governors, 2016 – Present
    • Chair, Professional Negligence Section, 2013-2014
    • Legal Affairs Committee, 2012 – Present
    • Education Committee, 2010 – 2013
    • Civil Amicus Committee, 2012 – Present
    • New Lawyers’ Division, CLE Co-Chair, 2010 – 2012
    • Professional Negligence Section, Member, 2010 – Present
    • Auto Torts Section, Member, 2010 – Present
    • Criminal Defense Section, Member – 2009 – 2010
  • Member – North Carolina Bar Association
  • Member – Wake County Bar Association
  • Member – District 10 Bar Association