About Matthew Newman

Matthew George Newman was awarded an Associate of the Arts Degree from College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California in 1973. In 1977 he followed it with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (cum laude) in Chemistry from California State University in Fresno.

From 1977 - 1981 Matthew was the Director of Field Operations for River Gold Farms in Sacramento, California. His position allowed him the flexibility to do everything from driving an industrial tractor to negotiating large contracts with growers, buyers and shippers.

Attorney At Law In 1981 while he continued to work full time during the day, Matthew attended the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific at night. The demanding schedule of Law School courses was difficult but he obtained his Juris Doctorate With Distinction in 1985, all the while maintaining full time work. Honors included: Order of the Coif Order of the Barristers American Jurisprudence Award, Constitutional Law Moot Court Best Oralist Graduation Speaker

In 1984, Matthew became a legal intern in the Sacramento County Public Defender's office and learned a great deal by being "thrown into the trenches" of trial work.  Upon graduation in 1985, he accepted a position as Administrative Assistant to State Senator Bill Lockyer who was the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Matthew would later become a Consultant to the same committee wherein he analyzed and drafted legislation as well as serving as a political advisor to Senator Lockyer.

Chief Deputy Public Defender

In 1988, Matthew Newman was appointed by the Governor to the position of Special Assistant to the Public Defender.  He would later be appointed as Chief Deputy Public Defender for the State of California where his office handled the majority of all death penalty appellate work within the state.

Parker Arizona

In 1992, Matthew followed his heart.  He became a member of the Arizona State Bar and relocated to Parker, Arizona where he married the love of his life, Sheri.  The couple have raised three sons while Matthew built a busy and successful trial and appellate practice in Parker where he lives to this day, specializing in Criminal Law and practicing in all courts in Arizona with a focus on La Paz and Mohave Counties.