Is Matthew Yanni The Worst Lawyer In West Virginia?

NOTE: All facts and opinions detailed in this narrative come directly from sworn testimony and court documents.

MATTHEW YANNI LIED TO HIS CLIENT AND TO THE JUDGE

Martinsburg, West Virginia lawyer Matthew Yanni was appointed by the Court to represent a client in a criminal action that was scheduled to go to trial 12 days later.  Because of previous poor legal representation by Gregory V. (Greg) Smith and Andrew Arnold (CLICK on their names to learn more) no defense had been prepared for the client; however, proper and competent legal efforts by Matthew Yanni could have had all charges permanently dismissed against the client if he was not brought to trial by the end of the month.

When Mr. Yanni was appointed the client informed Mr. Yanni in writing that the client would not wave his speedy trial rights and the client did not believe that Mr. Yanni could develop an effective defense within the few days Mr. Yanni had left before trial.

Within days a hearing was held to determine whether the client was willing to wave his speedy trial rights and Mr. Yanni lied to the judge by saying the client wanted to proceed to trial in 12 days.  Mr. Yanni then lied to the judge, again, and said he “will be ready for trial” in 12 days.  Mr. Yanni committed those lies knowing that he had just taken the case, knew nothing of the facts or technical issues involved, and would have to develop an effective and technically complex defense in less than 12 days. 

Several hours after Mr. Yanni lied to the judge about his ability to be ready for trial Mr. Yanni confessed to the client in a recorded telephone conversation that Mr. Yanni would not be ready for trial.  Mr. Yanni also admitted that he didn’t understand the basic technology involved in the matter and did not intend to retain an expert to assist him.

MATTHEW YANNI REFUSES TO PROPERLY PREPARE FOR TRIAL

The client then supplied Mr. Yanni with over forty pages of technical information to build a defense, but Mr. Yanni admitted he didn’t understand the specifics and would not make any effort to learn them.  Mr. Yanni did not consult or hire an expert witness to explain the complex issues to him.  

Mr. Yanni also refused to consult with the client regarding the development or presentation of his defense. 

Mr. Yanni was completely unprepared for trial.

DID MATTHEW YANNI INTENTIONALLY HARM HIS CLIENT FOR PERSONAL GAIN?

Matthew Yanni’s representation efforts have given the client the impression is that Mr. Yanni is using his appointment as the client’s attorney for personal gain.   By intentionally harm the client Mr. Yanni allows the judge to do less work and as “a member of the team” can earn more court appointments. 

These appointments are necessary to financially support a law practice for an attorney of questionable competence and ethics. 

Matthew Yanni is is a perfect example of the nightmare of a bad lawyer portrayed in movies and television.

MATTHEW YANNI’S INCOMPETENCE FORCES HIS CLIENT TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE WEST VIRGINIA STATE BAR

The client lost all confidence in Mr. Yanni’s integrity and competence and filed a complaint against Mr. Yanni with the West Virginia State Bar.

MATTHEW YANNI’S DISHONESTY FORCES HIS CLIENT TO SUE HIM

When Mr. Yanni ignored the West Virginia State Bar complaint the client was forced to sue him in civil court.

DEFENDANT MATTHEW YANNI ADMITS TO ALL OF THE ALLEGATIONS IN THE LAWSUIT AGAINST HIM

Matthew Yanni is so incompetent as an attorney that he could answer the law suit filed against him in time.  Under the law, his default is an admission of all of the allegations made in the law suit.

MATTHEW YANNI’S INCOMPETENCE IS DOCUMENTED

In order to accurately document his communications with his attorneys in this matter the client recorded all of his telephone calls and personal meetings with Mr. Yanni.

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Matthew Yanni’s address

Matthew Yanni

211 ½ West Burke Street

Martinsburg, WV 25401