Judge James F. Matthews: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Suffolk County Supreme Court, Department - IAS Part 24

Biography

The Hon. James F. Matthews is a justice on the Suffolk County Supreme Court in the 10th Judicial District of New York. He was elected to the bench on November 5, 2024.


Prior to his election, Matthews was a judge on the Suffolk County District Court, a position to which he was elected in 2014. During his tenure there, he held assignments as an acting judge on the Suffolk County Court (2019 to 2024).


Matthews earned a B.S. from Cornell University in 1977. He then completed a J.D. at St. John's University School of Law in 1982. He was licensed to practice in New York (1983).


After graduating from law school, Matthews began his legal career as an associate at Cullen & Dykman. He worked in that capacity until 1987, at which time he joined Tinari, Parr, Matthews & O'Connell. Then, in 1998, he opened his own private practice as a sole practitioner. Matthews represented clients in personal injury, corporate, and commercial litigation matters, supplementing his practice with service as the town attorney for Huntington and the village attorney for Northport.


His memberships have included the Suffolk County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association. He has also served as an EMT for the East Northport Fire Department.


He was a resident of Northport, New York, at the time of his election.

Recent Cases by Hon. James F. Matthews

On February 13, 2026 a rp-other case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

Filed

Feb 13, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

RP-Other

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

General Property

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 17, 2026

On February 13, 2026 a sp-cplr article 75 (arbitration) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

Filed

Feb 13, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

SP-CPLR Article 75 (Arbitration)

Practice Area

Arbitration

Matter Type

General Arbitration

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 19, 2026

On February 12, 2026 a sp-cplr article 75 (arbitration) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

Filed

Feb 12, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

SP-CPLR Article 75 (Arbitration)

Practice Area

Arbitration

Matter Type

General Arbitration

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 13, 2026

On February 3, 2026 a comm-contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

Filed

Feb 03, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

Comm-Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 03, 2026

On January 28, 2026 a tort-other case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

12 Files
Filed

Jan 28, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

Tort-Other

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Premises Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 31, 2026

On January 22, 2026 a sp-cplr article 75 (arbitration) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Jan 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

SP-CPLR Article 75 (Arbitration)

Practice Area

Arbitration

Matter Type

General Arbitration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 28, 2026

On January 22, 2026 a sp-cplr article 78 (body or officer) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Jan 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

SP-CPLR Article 78 (Body or Officer)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Agency Action

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

On January 20, 2026 a comm-business entity case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Jan 20, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

Comm-Business Entity

Practice Area

Securities

Matter Type

Business Governance

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 28, 2026

On January 20, 2026 a comm-business entity case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Jan 20, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

Comm-Business Entity

Practice Area

Securities

Matter Type

Business Governance

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 28, 2026

On January 20, 2026 a comm-business entity case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

4 Files
Filed

Jan 20, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

Comm-Business Entity

Practice Area

Securities

Matter Type

Business Governance

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 28, 2026

On January 14, 2026 a tort-other negligence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

4 Files
Filed

Jan 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

Tort-Other Negligence

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Negligence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 20, 2026

On January 9, 2026 a rp-other case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

10 Files
Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

RP-Other

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

General Property

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

On January 6, 2026 a sp-other case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Jan 06, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

SP-Other

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 29, 2026

On January 2, 2026 a sp-cplr article 78 (body or officer) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

19 Files
Filed

Jan 02, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

SP-CPLR Article 78 (Body or Officer)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Agency Action

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 18, 2026

On December 19, 2025 a sp-cplr article 75 (arbitration) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

9 Files
Filed

Dec 19, 2025

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

SP-CPLR Article 75 (Arbitration)

Practice Area

Arbitration

Matter Type

General Arbitration

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 04, 2026

On December 16, 2025 an om-other case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Dec 16, 2025

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

OM-Other

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

Judgments

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2026

On December 15, 2025 a sp-other case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

8 Files
Filed

Dec 15, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

SP-Other

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Late Claim

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 16, 2026

On December 11, 2025 a tort-other case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

10 Files
Filed

Dec 11, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

Tort-Other

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 20, 2026

On December 11, 2025 a sp-cplr article 78 (body or officer) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

Filed

Dec 11, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

SP-CPLR Article 78 (Body or Officer)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Agency Action

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 28, 2026

On December 10, 2025 a sp-other case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Dec 10, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

SP-Other

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

Structured Settlement

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 06, 2026

On December 10, 2025 a tort-other case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

2 Files
Filed

Dec 10, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

Tort-Other

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 18, 2026

On December 9, 2025 a tort-other negligence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

1 File
Filed

Dec 09, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

Tort-Other Negligence

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Negligence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 11, 2026

On December 9, 2025 a comm-contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Dec 09, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

Comm-Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 18, 2026

On November 26, 2025 a sp-other case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge James F. Matthews presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Nov 26, 2025

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. James F. Matthews Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James F. Matthews

Court

Supreme

County

Suffolk County, NY

Court Category

SP-Other

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Liens

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 29, 2025