Matt regularly conducts mock trials with retired court personnel and others to identify the strengths and possible weaknesses in his clients' cases — before the other side does.
Napa, California · since 1991
A Napa trial lawyer
since 1991.
Personal injury, family law, serious felonies and personal litigation — representing individuals against the government, corporations and local power brokers.
Tell us your situation
Send the basics and the office will follow up. For urgent matters, please call.
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1988admitted to the California Bar
1991opened his own Napa firm
6practice areas, one office
37volumes of the Legal Update
- State Bar of CA #134936
- Napa County Superior Court
- Empire College School of Law
- Napa born and raised
Start here
What do you need help with?
Pick your situation to see how this office handles that kind of case in Napa County.
Personal Injury & Auto Accidents
An adjuster will not tell you every category of damages the law entitles you to, and the adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you. This office documents the whole claim — the CHP report, medical records, lost wages, future care — before any number gets discussed.
Talk about your accident →Serious Felonies
A felony charge puts your liberty, your work and your record at stake. The early decisions matter most — what you say, what the prosecution has actually turned over, and how the preliminary hearing is handled. These cases get prepared from the start as though they are going in front of a jury.
Talk about the charge →Divorce & Family Law
California is a no-fault, community-property state: property either spouse obtained during the marriage is divided evenly, and no one has to prove wrongdoing. After the action is filed there may be temporary orders on spousal support, child support and custody. Get advice before you move out of the house.
Speak privately →Personal Litigation
Disputes an individual brings to court — contracts, property, a business partnership that fell apart, or a claim against a public agency or a corporation. Matt believes in the jury system to right wrongs and to help people find their voice where otherwise they are intimidated into silence. Most cases resolve before trial — they get prepared as if they will not.
Describe your case →Elder Abuse Litigation
Elder abuse cases mix injury, finances and family. They require facility records, staffing histories and, often, a medical expert — and they are frequently brought by a family member who suspected something long before they could prove it.
Tell us what you noticed →Real Estate
Boundary, contract, disclosure and lease disputes in Napa County, including agricultural and commercial property — the kind of dispute where the paperwork and the local history both matter.
Ask about your property →How a case gets prepared
Preparation is what gets results
He works with recognized experts to prove the other party's liability and to establish his client's damages.
You have only one chance to make a strong impression on a jury, and he will do everything he can to make the most of it.
Matt clerked for the Napa County Superior Court before he was a lawyer. He has known the courthouse on Brown Street from the inside for four decades.
This is a one-attorney office. When you call, you speak with the lawyer who would handle your case — not an intake center in another city.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case turns on its own facts.
In his own words
Why he does this work
For his entire career, Matt has devoted himself to representing individuals fighting against the government, corporations and local power brokers.
Matt believes in the jury system to right wrongs and to help people find their voice where otherwise they are intimidated into silence.
Our firm receives many new clients as a result of referrals from current clients and other friends of our firm. We sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence you show in us by making these referrals.
Client testimonials will appear here once the office supplies quotes it has written permission to publish.
Your attorney
Here since “Mon-DAH-vi” was pronounced “Mon-DAY-vi”
Matt graduated from Vintage High School in 1976 and from Napa Valley College with honors, where he served as research assistant to Rabbi Leo Trepp. He transferred to San Francisco State University and graduated magna cum laude. While in law school he clerked for the Napa County Superior Court, then took a full-time clerkship at Kilpatrick and Peterson in Vallejo and finished his degree at night at Empire College School of Law. He passed the bar exam on his first attempt. In 1991 he opened the Law Offices of Matthew C. Bishop, Inc., and has practiced here ever since.
- Admitted to the State Bar of California, 1988 · Lic. #134936
- J.D., Empire College School of Law — night classes while clerking full time
- B.A., San Francisco State University, magna cum laude
- Former law clerk, Napa County Superior Court
- Own Napa firm since 1991
The process
What happens after you call
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1
You talk to the lawyer
You explain what happened and get a straight answer about whether you need a lawyer and what kind of case you actually have.
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2
Fees in writing
The fee arrangement depends on the type of case. It gets explained and put in writing before any work begins.
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3
Investigation and preparation
Reports, records, witnesses, experts and — when the case justifies it — a mock trial with retired court personnel to test it before a jury ever does.
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4
Resolution or trial
Most cases resolve before trial. If the other side is not reasonable, the case is ready to put in front of a Napa County jury.
Napa resources
Numbers and addresses you may need
Real Napa County information. Bookmark this page — you do not need to hire this office to use it.
Emergency & police
- Napa Police Department — (707) 257-9223
- CHP Napa Area — (707) 253-4906
- Crash report request
Medical care
- Queen of the Valley Medical Center — 1000 Trancas St
- Emergency department · open 24 hours
- County urgent care clinics
Courts & legal
- Napa County Superior Court — 825 Brown St
- Case information — (707) 299-1100
- Family law self-help center
Deadlines
- Personal injury: 2 years in California
- Public entities: as little as 6 months
- Other matters vary — ask early
Answers
Questions people ask first
What kinds of cases does the office take?
Personal injury and auto accidents, serious felonies, divorce and family law, personal litigation, elder abuse litigation, and real estate.
Can I handle my accident claim myself?
You can, but the adjuster works for the insurance company and their job is to pay you as little as possible. They will not tell you every category of damages the law entitles you to — and once you settle, you cannot come back for more when higher medical bills show up.
What does it cost to hire the office?
It depends on the type of case. Ask on the first call — you will get a clear answer, and the fee arrangement in writing before work begins.
Will I have to go to trial?
Many cases resolve before trial. They get prepared as though they will be tried anyway, because thorough preparation is what moves offers.
How long do I have to file?
For personal injury, generally two years in California — but as little as six months when a public entity like a city, county, or Caltrans is responsible. Other case types have different deadlines, so ask early.
Do you handle cases outside Napa County?
The office is in Napa and most cases are in Napa County, though Matt also appears in nearby Solano, Sonoma and Marin County courts.
Talk to a Napa lawyer today
Call the office or send the basics of your matter. You will get a straight answer about whether you need a lawyer and what to expect.
- Office
- 1810 Jefferson Street
Napa, CA 94559 - Phone
- (707) 258-8090
- mcblaw2003@
yahoo.com - Hours
- Mon–Fri · call for an appointment
- Website
- mcblawinc.com
Tell us your situation
Send the basics and the office will follow up.
Your message is ready
Your email app should have opened with your message addressed to the office. Press Send to deliver it. If nothing opened, write to mcblaw2003@yahoo.com or call (707) 258-8090.