About Matthew D.
Matthew D. Emerson earned his law degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1993. He arrived in the legal profession after a focused course of study and training and moved quickly into private practice. Early credentials include that J.D., followed by bar admissions that opened doors to both state and federal work.
He began his post-law school career as an associate at Rwyant, Alvarez, Jones, Russo & Guyton, P.A. in 1994. That role placed him in a traditional firm setting, where he handled assigned matters and learned the daily mechanics of litigation and client service. The next year he joined Justin C. Johnson and Associates, P.A. as a lawyer. Those early positions exposed him to firm workflow, courtroom procedures, and client counseling under more senior attorneys.
Over time Emerson expanded his practice into matters that required federal court appearances. He holds membership in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He is also a current member of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, which keeps him tied to the local bench and bar. Those admissions allow him to file cases and argue at both the trial and appellate levels in federal courts across the region.
His record shows steady movement from associate roles to independent practice. He now practices under the Emerson Straw name, listed both as Emerson Straw PL and Emerson Straw. Those offices operate in the same regional legal market where he spent his formative years as a lawyer. Colleagues describe him as a practitioner who handles the procedural and advocacy tasks that arise in contested matters.
Because his admissions include federal trial and appellate courts, much of his current work involves litigation that proceeds beyond informal negotiation. He handles filings, hearings, and briefs in state and federal venues. He continues to participate in local bar activities through the St. Petersburg Bar Association while maintaining the ability to appear before the Eleventh Circuit and the Middle District of Florida. He practices at Emerson Straw PL and Emerson Straw, handling matters in state and federal courts.
