Copyright © 2025 Looney Smith Conrad & Hefti, P.C. All rights reserved. The site is designed by JSBC Marketing.
Partner
Matthew J. Hefti brings a diverse and distinguished background to Looney Smith Conrad & Hefti P.C., with extensive experience in criminal defense, post-conviction litigation, and appeals. Before becoming an attorney, Matthew spent twelve years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician in the United States Air Force, completing two combat tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan.
While still enlisted, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. After his honorable discharge, Matthew attended the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, where he worked in multiple renowned legal clinics as part of the Frank J. Remington Center, including:
Following law school, Matthew moved to Houston, Texas, where he joined the Gulf Region Advocacy Center (GRACE) as Research and Writing Counsel, focusing on capital defense for indigent clients facing the death penalty. He later opened and ran his own law firm, focusing on appeals and post-conviction cases, before joining Parlatore Law Group, where he advanced from Counsel to Partner. At Parlatore Law Group, he expanded his practice to include military court representation, civil litigation in both state and federal courts, nonprofit representation, and entertainment law.
In addition to directly representing clients, Matthew has been qualified as an expert and has provided expert testimony in explosives cases in multiple jurisdictions, state and federal. Numerous state and federal courts have also appointed Matthew as an independent consulting expert on post-blast investigations, explosives, and improvised explosive devices for defense teams in high-profile bombing cases.
Matthew joined Looney Smith Conrad & Hefti P.C. in February 2024, where he continues to defend individuals in high-stakes criminal cases and appellate litigation and act as a consulting and testifying expert in bombing and explosive cases.
Matthew currently resides in Houston, Texas, with his wife and three children. When not practicing law, he is an active leader in his church and remains engaged in the arts as a writer, speaker, and mentor.
Pro Bono & Community Service
Professional Associations & Leadership
In the News & Public Service
Published Legal Articles
Legal Advocacy & Public Speaking
Matthew is a sought-after speaker at legal conferences and continuing legal education (CLE) courses, covering topics such as:
Notable programs he has attended as a student include:
Literary Contributions & Media Recognition
Outside of his legal work, Matthew is an accomplished author and literary advocate. His novel, A Hard and Heavy Thing (Gallery / Simon & Schuster 2016), received national recognition:
His shorter works of fiction, nonfiction, legal scholarship, and poetry have been published in various periodicals.
Nonprofit Leadership & Community Involvement
Client Testimonials
Awesome lawyer. Matthew was and will be a great experience with a lawyer.He cares for his clients well being and he works extremely hard to prove the innocent.I had a murder charge and he worked day and night and show my innocence and without him I probably wouldn’t be here now letting everyone know how awesome of a lawyer he is I wouldn’t chose another.
– Walter, Avvo review – March 17, 2022.
Incredible!!! He is a incredible lawyer. He literally have my husband (Walter Clark) his freedom back. He worked countless hours on walter defense for trail. Walter trail was dismissed half way through and the charge was Murder. If it wasn’t for his eyes and brains who knows where Walter’s freedom would be today. He gave us our life back he not only helped him but his family.Matthew is the definition of what justice means in this country. Me and Walter have a baby on the way that’s due in July and a three year old child named heaven. Just two short weeks ago all was in jeopardy. Thank you so much Matthew, no amount of money nor thank you could ever give back what you have given to us.
– Marissa, Avvo Review, March 17, 2022.
Senior Enlisted Leader, USN (Active Duty). If you’re reading this wondering “which attorney should I hire”, please give your time and attention to Matthew […] Upon introduction to Matthew, he was professional, communicative, and spoke in a way that allowed me to understand the intricacies of law that we were focused on and set realistic expectations of timelines, specific efforts, etc. He provided me all the resources, instructions, doctrine, etc. to aid in getting the needed information to make the right call and move forward smartly. Matthew would field my calls, questions, ideas, and concerns at all times of day and night. When he was busy or had a lot going on, he again was honest and communicated that to me so I wasn’t wondering what was going on or think that he forgot about me… that was never the case and I was never left wondering. He never failed to properly advise me from a legal and personal perspective always bearing truth and honesty in mind and at the forefront. His timeliness and punctuality is second to none. One of his many strengths was his ability to “wordsmith” and weave words on paper and in conversation that elaborately spoke to the truth of the matter in a very real and convincing way. He spoke to my command on my behalf on numerous occasions which helped because of the personal and medical obligations I was going through at the time. […] Throughout my case, Matthew dealt with and spoke with me as if I was a relative or close friend […] Matthew is the man you want!!
– Nate, Avvo Review, March 20, 2022.
Partner
While still enlisted, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. After his honorable discharge, Matthew attended the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, where he worked in multiple renowned legal clinics as part of the Frank J. Remington Center, including:
Following law school, Matthew moved to Houston, Texas, where he joined the Gulf Region Advocacy Center (GRACE) as Research and Writing Counsel, focusing on capital defense for indigent clients facing the death penalty. He later opened and ran his own law firm, focusing on appeals and post-conviction cases, before joining Parlatore Law Group, where he advanced from Counsel to Partner. At Parlatore Law Group, he expanded his practice to include military court representation, civil litigation in both state and federal courts, nonprofit representation, and entertainment law.
In addition to directly representing clients, Matthew has been qualified as an expert and has provided expert testimony in explosives cases in multiple jurisdictions, state and federal. Numerous state and federal courts have also appointed Matthew as an independent consulting expert on post-blast investigations, explosives, and improvised explosive devices for defense teams in high-profile bombing cases.
Matthew joined Looney Smith Conrad & Hefti P.C. in February 2024, where he continues to defend individuals in high-stakes criminal cases and appellate litigation and act as a consulting and testifying expert in bombing and explosive cases.
Matthew currently resides in Houston, Texas, with his wife and three children. When not practicing law, he is an active leader in his church and remains engaged in the arts as a writer, speaker, and mentor.
Pro Bono & Community Service
Professional Associations & Leadership
In the News & Public Service
Published Legal Articles
Legal Advocacy & Public Speaking
Matthew is a sought-after speaker at legal conferences and continuing legal education (CLE) courses, covering topics such as:
Notable programs he has attended as a student include:
Literary Contributions & Media Recognition
Outside of his legal work, Matthew is an accomplished author and literary advocate. His novel, A Hard and Heavy Thing (Gallery / Simon & Schuster 2016), received national recognition:
His shorter works of fiction, nonfiction, legal scholarship, and poetry have been published in various periodicals.
Nonprofit Leadership & Community Involvement
Client Testimonials
Awesome lawyer. Matthew was and will be a great experience with a lawyer.He cares for his clients well being and he works extremely hard to prove the innocent.I had a murder charge and he worked day and night and show my innocence and without him I probably wouldn’t be here now letting everyone know how awesome of a lawyer he is I wouldn’t chose another.
– Walter, Avvo review – March 17, 2022.
Incredible!!! He is a incredible lawyer. He literally have my husband (Walter Clark) his freedom back. He worked countless hours on walter defense for trail. Walter trail was dismissed half way through and the charge was Murder. If it wasn’t for his eyes and brains who knows where Walter’s freedom would be today. He gave us our life back he not only helped him but his family.Matthew is the definition of what justice means in this country. Me and Walter have a baby on the way that’s due in July and a three year old child named heaven. Just two short weeks ago all was in jeopardy. Thank you so much Matthew, no amount of money nor thank you could ever give back what you have given to us.
– Marissa, Avvo Review, March 17, 2022.
Senior Enlisted Leader, USN (Active Duty). If you’re reading this wondering “which attorney should I hire”, please give your time and attention to Matthew […] Upon introduction to Matthew, he was professional, communicative, and spoke in a way that allowed me to understand the intricacies of law that we were focused on and set realistic expectations of timelines, specific efforts, etc. He provided me all the resources, instructions, doctrine, etc. to aid in getting the needed information to make the right call and move forward smartly. Matthew would field my calls, questions, ideas, and concerns at all times of day and night. When he was busy or had a lot going on, he again was honest and communicated that to me so I wasn’t wondering what was going on or think that he forgot about me… that was never the case and I was never left wondering. He never failed to properly advise me from a legal and personal perspective always bearing truth and honesty in mind and at the forefront. His timeliness and punctuality is second to none. One of his many strengths was his ability to “wordsmith” and weave words on paper and in conversation that elaborately spoke to the truth of the matter in a very real and convincing way. He spoke to my command on my behalf on numerous occasions which helped because of the personal and medical obligations I was going through at the time. […] Throughout my case, Matthew dealt with and spoke with me as if I was a relative or close friend […] Matthew is the man you want!!
– Nate, Avvo Review, March 20, 2022.
Copyright © 2025 Looney Smith Conrad & Hefti, P.C. All rights reserved. The site is designed by JSBC Marketing.