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Staff Profiles 

Matt Paavola was born and raised in a working class neighborhood in East Baltimore. Coming from a blue collar family, he has a deep-rooted affection for labor rights. Matt now resides in Baltimore County with his wife, Lisa, and their three daughters, Jordan, Kirsti, and Kati. They are active with Grace Fellowship Church of Timonium.

A graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, Matt began the practice of law in the Essex area in 1982. He founded his own firm in 1986. Now known as Workers Comp Law Firm, LLC, the firm concentrates in Workers' Compensation law and other personal injury law. Business law, estate law, criminal law and civil litigation are also a big part of the firm. Mr. Paavola has tried cases at virtually every level, from Maryland's various courts of original jurisdiction to the highest appellate courts. He has also been involved in a great deal of federal litigation. Mr. Paavola's greatest source of pride is his trial skills in Workers' Compensation Law. He has tried well over 1000 Workers' Compensation cases and appeals.

Matt is a member in good standing of the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association. The thrust of his focus has been Workers' Compensation legislation that improves the status of the injured worker. He was nominated and elected to the Board of Governors in 2000. Mr. Paavola is also busy on the Board of Kids' Chance, an organization founded to help provide scholarship money for the children of seriously injured workers. He co-hosted the Lawyer's Show for over 5 years which aired on WJFK Radio every Saturday morning.

Mr. Paavola is also very active in charitable groups. He has served at the Helping Up Mission as a coordinator and volunteer with the Legal Aid Ministry of Baltimore for almost twenty years. This is a not-for-profit organization that furnishes pro bono assistance to the indigent. He has served as State Membership Director of the Greater Baltimore Christian Legal Society for over two decades. That effort has led to the creation of a law student mentoring program connecting students with local members of the Christian Legal Society. His volunteer efforts have also led Mr. Paavola to work with the Essex/Middle River/White Marsh Chamber of Commerce and Sta-Put Educational Committee. This committee was instrumental in establishing a resident mediation program to facilitate community stability in impoverished areas of eastern Baltimore County. He is also active on the Baltimore County Bar Association and the Maryland State Bar Association. Mr. Paavola has twice chaired the Public Awareness Committee for the Baltimore County Bar Association.

Memberships and Associations:

  • Member, Maryland Trial Lawyers Association
  • Director, Greater Baltimore Christian Legal Society
  • Co-Director of Legal Aid Ministry of Baltimore (L.A.M.B.)
  • Essex - Middle River - White Marsh Chamber of Commerce
  • Baltimore County Bar Association and Maryland State Bar Association
  • Board of Directors of Kids Chance Inc. (Scholarships for children of injured workers)
  • Member, MTLA Workers' Comp Legislative Subcommittee
  • Formerly a Legal Commentator on WJFK Radio since 1998

Awards and Recognitions:

  • Defenders of Justice Award In Grateful Appreciation of Matt's Work In Preserving The Civil Rights of Maryland Citizens During the 2005 Maryland Legislative Session for the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association.
  • Induction into the Honor Guard Award bestowed upon Matt M. Paavola for faithful Pro Bono Service and Kingdom Lawyering by the Alliance Defense Fund, September 12, 2006.
  • Essex - Middle River - White Marsh Chamber of Commerce Special Recognition Award presented to Matt M. Paavola for his dedication and service to the community, 2005.
  • The Maryland Bar Foundation's Election as a Fellow for demonstrating outstanding dedication to the community, the administration of justice and the traditions of the profession of law.
Samuel H. Paavola has been practicing law for over 30 years. He is a graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law and is a very experienced trial litigator. His practice has focused on the Eastern shore and Anne Arundel County where he is widely acknowledged. Mr. Paavola is a member of several Trial and Bar Associations. Most of his private practice has been centered in Annapolis, Maryland. He has tried hundreds of workers' compensation cases and is very familiar with the procedures necessary to achieve favorable results for the injured worker. Samuel H. Paavola works as an independent contractor for Workers’ Comp Law Firm, LLC.
In fond memory of Eugene W. Pierelli (1924 - 2008) - Esquire, WWII Veteran, and Matt's father-in-law was "of counsel" to Workers Comp Law Firm, LLC. He had over 40 years of practical legal experience, including Workers' Compensation cases. Mr. Pierelli was a graduate of Miami University and obtained his legal training at the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Copyright © 2006-2009 Workers Comp Law Firm, LLC (Matt M. Paavola, Managing Attorney) - All rights reserved
Workers Comp Law Firm, LLC, 2113 Orems Road, Baltimore, MD 21220 - 1.800.600.6563