Matthew Wykes joined Stone and Gerken as an associate attorney in 2026. He currently assists in the counseling of special districts, municipalities, and other local government entities on matters of public finance and infrastructure, working alongside the firm’s local government law and finance practice to support clients who own and operate critical public infrastructure throughout the region.

Before joining Stone & Gerken, Matthew built his legal career in personal injury litigation, first as a high-volume litigation paralegal and later as an attorney, where he represented insurance companies in defending third party negligence claims. That background gives him a practical understanding of liability exposure and risk, insight he now brings to his work counseling municipalities and special districts on issues where liability and risk management intersect with local government operations.

Though he spent most of his youth in the Florida panhandle, Matthew is a military brat who has lived everywhere from Alaska to Japan. Matthew’s path to the law was not a direct one. Before entering the legal field, he spent fifteen years in retail management, building a career around problem solving, client relations, and steady leadership under pressure. That experience shapes the way he approaches his legal work; he brings a practical, people-first mindset to every matter, understanding that behind each case or client relationship is a person or organization that needs to be heard, guided, and given clear answers. This second career gives him a grounded perspective that blends legal precision with the interpersonal instincts developed over years of managing teams and building lasting relationships.

Matthew earned his bachelor’s degree in legal studies from the University of Central Florida in 2017. He went on to attend law school at Florida A&M University College of Law part time, while working full time and supporting his family. He made the Dean’s List for the 2022 and 2023 academic year and received a Book Award in Sales. He earned his J.D. in 2023 and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2024. He is a member of the Florida Bar, the Lake County Bar Association, and the Orange County Bar Association.