Matthew James Duncan

Candidate Statement

Colleagues,

My name is Matthew Duncan and I ask you to vote for me to represent Augusta on the Board of Governors.

I was born and raised in Augusta, and my roots run deep. Both of my parents were born and raised in Augusta, and devoted their personal and professional lives to our area. After graduating from the University of Georgia and attending law school in Mississippi, I moved home and began my legal career.

Ever since, I have worked tirelessly and advocated strongly for honest but unfortunate debtors. My legal career is approaching its 15th year and I look forward to continuing my work for those in financial distress. I have also worked hard to help realize our Constitution’s promise of equal protection under the law. I came out as a gay man at the age of 29 and have fought hard for the LGBTQ+ community. My greatest achievement (to-date) is the passage of a broad non-discrimination ordinance in Augusta that protects all of us from discrimination.

I will bring the same hard work and tenacity to the Board of Governors. Augusta is a growing and thriving community, and I want to help make sure that the State Bar of Georgia prioritizes Augusta and its Bar members.

I respectfully ask for your vote for the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Georgia.

Very truly yours,

Matthew

Candidate Bio

Education

• University of Georgia | 2004
• Mississippi College School of Law | 2007

Personal/Family

• Matthew was born in Martinez, GA, graduated from Lakeside High School in 2000, and lives in Augusta, GA, (Woodbluff subdivision) with his husband, Patrick. He and Patrick have been together for twelve years and have been married for six. They have two beagles and are in the early stages of the adoption process.
• Matthew is devoted to advancing political equality for the LGBTQ+ community (as well as for all people struggling for equality under the law). Matthew spends his free time making memories and sharing experiences with his friends and large local family. In his spare time, Matthew strives to create a more perfect smart home; automation in his personal and professional lives is overall a strong passion.
• In 2022, Augusta-Richmond County passed a broad non-discrimination ordinance that protects citizens and guests from discrimination in public accommodations, employment, and housing based on, inter alia, race, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Passage of the ordinance was a decade-long goal of Matthew’s. Without his leadership, tenacity, and hard work, the ordinance would not have passed.

Professional Background, Bar Activities, Civic Activities

• Owner/Partner | Duncan & Brow, Attorneys at Law, LLLP. Duncan & Brow specializes almost exclusively in consumer bankruptcy.
• Following law school, Matthew began working at a boutique general practice. In 2009, he went out on his own and founded Matthew James Duncan, Attorney at Law, P.C. Ever since he has provided legal services for consumer bankruptcy under Chapters 13 and 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. In 2019, Matthew merged his firm with Kathryn Brow’s firm and together they founded Duncan & Brow. Today, Duncan & Brow is one of the leading consumer bankruptcy law firms in Augusta.
• Matthew has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since 2007. He is also involved with the Augusta Bar Association and the Savannah Bar Association.
• Matthew was a member of the first class of the State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyer Division Leadership Academy.
• Matthew has served as legal counsel for Augusta Pride, Inc., since 2011. Augusta Pride hosts Augusta’s annual pride festival. Augusta Pride is the 3rd largest event in Augusta and the second largest pride festival in Georgia. Matthew is a past chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Equality Foundation of Georgia. Georgia Equality is Georgia’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. Matthew is also the founder and past President of Equality Augusta. Equality Augusta was critical to the passage of Augusta’s broad non-discrimination ordinance.

Main Issues Facing the State Bar/Position

• Georgia is a heavily Atlanta-centric state. However, half of the citizens of our state live outside of metro Atlanta. Matthew is a passionate advocate for his hometown. Through is work on the board of Georgia Equality, Matthew understands the importance of local advocacy and the effectiveness of being amicably stubborn when fighting for what is right. The State Bar of Georgia must continue its commitment to its membership outside of metro Atlanta, including those of us who are members of Georgia’s diverse and valuable minority communities.