Matthew Poorman
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Accomplished attorney offering over 9 years of experience as an attorney in the United States JAG Corps. I have worked specialized assignments in the fields of Labor and Employment Law, Environmental Law, Government Contracts and civil law and litigation. I will be separating from the Air Force in April 2025 after I complete 10 years of service and look forward to beginning the next chapter of my legal career.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Environmental Attorney
U.S. Air Force JAG Corps
06.2022 - Current
- Branch chief leading a team of five attorneys in advising the secretariat, headquarters staffs, major commands, field commands, and subordinate legal offices of the Unites States Air Force and United States Space Force
- Drafts legal opinions and provides legal advice on environmental law issues, to include Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Hazardous Waste programs, National Environmental Policy Act, International environmental law and Occupational and Health Administration issues.
- Analyzes and assists in negotiating agreements and contracts with other Federal Agencies concerning Air Force projects.
Deputy Staff Judge Advocate - Contracts and Civil Law Attorney
U.S. Air Force JAG Corps
04.2023 - 10.2023
- Guided 38 contract actions worth over 52 million dollars
- Led largest legal assistance program in Air Forces Central (AFCENT), supervised 3 legal staff and provided legal assistance to deployed joint forces members on family law, civil law and real estate matters
- Adjudicated claims against the Air Force occurring at deployed locations in the Middle East
- Served as primary legal advisor for all civil law matters at Al Udeid Air Base, to include ethics, fiscal law, labor law and environmental law matters
Labor and Employment Attorney
U.S. Air Force JAG Corps
06.2019 - 08.2021
- Managed caseload of ~200 Air Force EEOC, MSPB and ULP hearings
- Acted as Air Force representative at settlement hearings ordered by administrative judges at the EEOC and MSPB
- Negotiated and executed settlement agreements on behalf of Air Force Commanders
- Advised Air Force commanders and supervisors on all labor issues ranging from minor disciplinary infractions all the way through administrative hearings at the EEOC or MSPB
- Served as a labor instructor at both the basic and advanced Air Force Labor Law course offerings.
- Developed legal strategies to protect and train supervisors on proper workplace disciplinary procedures.
Special Victims Counsel
U.S. Air Force JAG Corps
01.2017 - 06.2019
- Represented victims of sexual assault in court-martial proceedings, MSPB hearing, and investigative interviews
- Drafted motions protecting clients rights and coordinated with Air Force agencies on behalf of clients.
- Advised clients through secondary issues from case participation; to include insurance issues, family law matters and workplace retaliation.
Assistant Staff Judge Advocate
U.S. Air Force JAG Corps
03.2015 - 07.2017
- Advised Tinker Air Force Base Commanders on all legal issues; to include civil law, claims, labor law, contracts, environmental law, ethics and military justice issues
- Prosecuted over 100 magistrate court cases, 4 courts-martial and 2 discharge board hearings
- Acted as legal advisor for command-directed investigations and various base leadership teams
- Led staff of 4 legal personnel executing the base claims program, investigated and adjudicated over 25 claims
- Reduced litigation risks to the Air Force by conducting reviews of contracts, agreements and policies for compliance with applicable laws
Education
LL.M. - Environmental Law
George Washington University
Washington, DC05.2022
J.D. - Law
Regent University School of Law
Virginia Beach, VA05.2014
Bachelor's degree - Sports Management
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA05.2007
Skills
Labor and Employment Law
Civil Law and Litigation
Environmental Law
Government Contracts
Affiliations
Texas Bar Association - Active Member in good standing
Job Related Training
- Air Force Basic Environmental Law Course
- Air Force Advanced Environmental Law Course
- Air Force Labor Law Course
- Air Force Advanced Labor Law Course
- Air Force Legal Assistance Course
- Air Force Trials Course
- Air Force Claims Course
Publications
Texas Review of Entertainment and Sports Law: "GET WITH THE TIMES": Why Defamation Law Must be Reformed in Order to Protect Athletes and Celebrities from Media Attacks" (TEX. REV. ENT. & SPORTS L. 67 (2014))
References
- John Knox, U.S. Air Force, Staff Judge Advocate, 318-880-3087, john.knox.8@us.af.mil
- Evan Tuck, U.S. Air Force, Environmental Compliance Attorney, 865-556-0589
- Colonel Chris May (Retired), U.S. Air Force, Supervisory Attorney, 405-655-8287
Accomplishments
Rated as the #1 military labor and employment attorney at the Air Force Labor Law Field Support Center two years in a row during Employment Law assignment.
Timeline
Deputy Staff Judge Advocate - Contracts and Civil Law Attorney
U.S. Air Force JAG Corps
04.2023 - 10.2023
Environmental Attorney
U.S. Air Force JAG Corps
06.2022 - Current
Labor and Employment Attorney
U.S. Air Force JAG Corps
06.2019 - 08.2021
Special Victims Counsel
U.S. Air Force JAG Corps
01.2017 - 06.2019
Assistant Staff Judge Advocate
U.S. Air Force JAG Corps
03.2015 - 07.2017
LL.M. - Environmental Law
George Washington University
J.D. - Law
Regent University School of Law
Bachelor's degree - Sports Management
Old Dominion University