About Matthew
Matthew Ness studied communication and political science as an undergraduate before turning to law. He earned a B.A. from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 2004. Four years later he received his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law in 2008.
He began his legal career in public defense. In 2009 he joined the Allegheny County Public Defender’s Office as an assistant public defender. That post put him in court early and often. He handled arraignments, pretrial hearings, and jury trials on behalf of clients who could not afford private counsel.
After six years in public service he moved into private practice. In 2015 he became a partner at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Lawyers, LLC. The firm handles a range of criminal matters at the state and federal levels. Ness’s role as partner includes case strategy, motion practice, and trial work. He splits his time between client consultations and courtroom appearances.
He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Those admissions allow him to handle matters that range from local criminal charges to federal prosecutions. His experience in both county and federal courts gives him familiarity with differing procedural rules and evidentiary standards.
Ness is active in local and statewide defense circles. He joined the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2010 and has maintained membership since then. He is also a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association, joining in 2015. Those associations provide access to training, case law updates, and peer review, and they offer regular meetings on trial practice and criminal law developments.
Colleagues describe him as practical and thorough in court preparation. He tends to take a methodical approach to case investigation and to prioritize clear communication with clients. He has handled cases at every stage, from pretrial diversion efforts to contested jury trials.
He practices out of Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Lawyers, LLC. He represents people charged with serious felonies and federal offenses at the state and federal levels.
