Matt Wolford was born and raised in Erie, PA, where he and his wife, Marian, raised their four children. A lifelong Pennsylvanian, Matt has lived, studied, and worked in various parts of the Commonwealth throughout his career.

Matt learned the value of hard work early, beginning with a job at a local hardware store during his teenage years. A co-captain of his high school wrestling team, he carried the same discipline and work ethic onto college, where he worked as a lifeguard for Penn State University and spent his summers guarding the beaches of Presque Isle State Park. After graduating from Penn State, Matt went on to receive his law degree from Temple University School of Law.

With more than 35 years of legal experience, Matt has served Pennsylvanians in both public service and private practice. Early in his career he served as a Deputy Attorney General in the Philadelphia office of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (OAG), where he represented Commonwealth agencies in civil litigation. He later became attorney-in-charge of the Environmental Crimes Section field office in Meadville, and served as a Special Prosecutor for both the OAG and the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Following his experience with the OAG, Matt joined the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as an Assistant Counsel and later as Regional Counsel, gaining extensive experience in regulatory, administrative, and environmental law. Today, as a small business owner and solo practitioner in Erie for over 25 years, he represents individuals, families, farmers, landowners, and businesses, focusing on environmental law, property rights, and complex regulatory matters.

In addition to practicing law, Matt served as an Adjunct Professor at Gannon University for more than 20 years and also taught at Allegheny College and Thiel College. He lectures regularly for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and other organizations, sharing his knowledge with both students and fellow professionals. In addition, Matt is a longtime member of the Presque Isle State Park Advisory Committee and the Presque Isle Partnership.

Now, Matt is running for Judge of the Commonwealth Court to bring his experience, qualifications, integrity, and lifelong commitment to Pennsylvanians to the bench.