Houston & Alexander, PLLC announced that Matthew C. Brown joined the firm in late January. Mr. Brown’s focus aligns with the firm’s primary practice areas, criminal defense and personal injury litigation. As a former North Georgia prosecutor and trial team member, he has significant felony trial experience before the Georgia criminal courts. Mr. Brown’s Georgia experience complements the felony trial practice of the firm’s partners, Johnny Houston and Bret Alexander, who litigate serious criminal cases in Chattanooga and several surrounding counties.
In addition, Mr. Brown’s civil practice will bolster the firm’s emphasis on personal injury matters related to car and motorcycle accidents as well as injuries arising from nursing home abuse and neglect.
Mr. Brown was born and raised in Marietta, Ga., graduating from George Walton High School in Cobb County. He attended Furman University, graduating in 2002 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Latin and Music, before attaining a Master of Arts degree in Classical Studies from Vanderbilt University in 2005. He attended the University of Georgia School of Law, achieving his J.D. in 2009.
In 2011, Mr. Brown was selected to serve as the drug prosecutor for Georgia’s Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit. In this position, he prosecuted numerous felony drug offenses, throughout a four county circuit, conducting many jury trials. He was also responsible for criminal appeals, writing appellate briefs and successfully arguing relevant issues before the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court.
Mr. Brown is admitted to practice in the state courts of Georgia and Tennessee and in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. He is a member of the Chattanooga Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the Georgia Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.
Mr. Brown lives with his wife Christy and daughter, Charlotte in North Chattanooga, where he has lived for several years. He enjoys cycling, golf, playing cards, and travel with Christy. They enjoy time reading books together.
When asked about the firm’s expansion, Principal Partner Johnny Houston noted: “A burgeoning case load is a great problem to have - and Matt’s a perfect solution. When handling criminal defense matters, what could be better than a skilled and experienced former prosecutor? Plus, Matt has direct knowledge of the best practices and court procedures in Georgia. I really like having all perspectives when analyzing a case. We now enjoy the viewpoints of a former assistant U.S. attorney and Tennessee state prosecutor, and a former Georgia prosecutor. Add to that my perspective as a judge as well as 25 years plus handling criminal defense matters and you have a great combination. The future is bright for not only the firm of Houston & Alexander but for our clients as well.”