Matthew A Sylva
Smart Law, Real Results
- Biography
Hi there. My name’s Matthew and I’m the owner and attorney for Akamai Law, LLLC. I provide legal services for people for a variety of cases and am always eager for new challenges and to find innovative solutions to my client’s concerns.
I have a great deal of experience working on criminal defense cases from criminal traffic cases to felonies and DUIs and everything in between from my time representing indigent clients with the Office of the Public Defender in Kailua-Kona. I also have experience with family criminal and TRO cases, juvenile criminal cases, and mental health cases from that job. And I have experience and a certificate in environmental law from the William S. Richardson School of Law. I will handle certain civil matters on a case-by-case basis.
I’m passionate about what I do and in representing you my client and empathic to you and your issue.
- Practice Areas
- DUI & DWI
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights
- Family Law
- Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Environmental Law
- Video Conferencing
- Fees
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Free Consultation
We offer free consultations over the phone or by video. Please try to keep things under 30 minutes. If a you require a longer consultation, we can schedule one for a fee. - Credit Cards Accepted
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Contingent Fees
We do not normally handle cases on a contingent basis, however we will consider certain exceptions if we believe we can properly handle your case. Criminal and family cases are always by flat fee or at an hourly rate. -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Contact us today to learn about our rates compared to the true costs of going unrepresented.
- Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Hawaii
- Hawaii State Bar Association
- Since 2017
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- Languages
- English:
Spoken, Written
- Professional Experience
- Owner/Attorney
- Akamai Law, LLLC
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2022 –
Current
- Deputy Public Defender III
- Office of the Public Defender
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2018 –
2022
- I handled district court traffic, DUI, and petty crimes cases where I worked on several thousand cases and have taken nearly 100 to trial. I later handled jury demanded misdemeanor and felony cases in circuit court such as burglary, negligent homicide, drug possession, robbery, domestic violence, habitual DUI, and violation of TRO. I’ve taken several to jury trial and many more to motion hearings.
- President
- Students for Public Outreach and Civic Education (SPOCE)
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2016 –
2017
- The University of Hawai’i at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law’s organization for public outreach, assisting the Hawaii Supreme Court with its public oral hearings at state schools program, and providing constitutional law and other educational programs for Hawaii students.
- Law Clerk Extern
- State of Hawaii Judiciary
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2016 –
2016
- Summer Clerkship for the Honorable Ronald Ibarra (since Ret.) working on drafting memos and assisting in court and with other judicial assignments in areas such as foreclosure cases, environmental law cases, wrongful death cases, and insurance claims and defense cases before the court.
- Summer Extern
- State of Hawaii Legislature
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2015 –
2015
- Worked as a summer extern at the State Legislature with Senator Jarrett Keohokalole. I worked on issues for the Senator (who was a Representative at the time) concerning environmental law administrative proceedings and legislation, medical use cannabis legislation, etc.
- Education
- University of Hawai’i at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law
- J.D. (2017) | Law
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2014
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2017 - Activities: President of Students for Public Outreach and Civic Education (SPOCÉ) 2013-2014
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- University of Hawaii – Manoa
- B.S. (2014) | Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences
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2009
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2014 - Honors: Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society Graduated with Honors
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- University of Hawaii – Manoa
- B.A. (2014) | Journalism
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2009
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2014 - Honors: Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society in Journalism and Mass Communication (for being in the top 10% of students in both fields)
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- Professional Associations
- State Bar of Hawaii
- Member
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2018 –
Current -
- West Hawaii Bar Association
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2018 –
Current -
- Websites & Blogs
- Website
- Akamai Law, LLLC
- Contact & Address
- Rate This Lawyer