Matt Austin

Experienced former federal prosecutor and strategic legal advisor at the intersection of complex national security, critical infrastructure, government affairs, and federal investigations involving white collar crimes, political corruption, and False Claims Act violations.

A partner of Ott, Bielitzki & O’Neill PLLC, Matt Austin brings a distinguished background in prosecution and defense of white collar crimes and whistleblower allegations, high-stakes litigation, allegations of political corruption, and strategic counsel on matters involving national security, critical infrastructure, and the protection of American interests.

A former Assistant United States Attorney (“AUSA”) specializing in white collar crimes and seasoned trial lawyer, Matt operates at the intersection of law, government, and private enterprise, advising senior executives, elected officials, and institutional leaders on matters carrying significant legal, commercial, political, and national security implications.

Prior to joining Ott, Bielitzki & O’Neill, Matt was a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, where he established a prominent white-collar defense and government investigations practice. He represented corporations, senior executives, elected officials, health care institutions, and other sophisticated clients in federal investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, internal inquiries, and complex civil disputes. His practice included nationally significant and closely scrutinized matters, as well as sensitive engagements requiring exceptional discretion, sound judgment, and an ability to resolve disputes outside the public arena.

Matt’s work extends well beyond traditional litigation. He is the architect behind some of the most consequential challenges facing American infrastructure and strategic industries, helping develop the legal, commercial, and institutional frameworks necessary to translate national security priorities into executable initiatives. His experience encompasses critical infrastructure protection, maritime and port security, complex government engagement, and the alignment of private-sector capabilities with federal and state objectives.

At a time when national security increasingly depends upon the resilience of domestic infrastructure, the integrity of supply chains, and the ability of government and industry to act in concert, Matt brings a sophisticated understanding of how to navigate competing institutional interests, establish durable partnerships, and advance solutions in highly sensitive environments. His work reflects the growing importance of sophisticated legal counsel in shaping initiatives with implications for American economic security, operational readiness, and strategic competitiveness.

Before entering private practice, Matt served for seven years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, where he was assigned to prosecute white collar crimes in the General Crimes Division. Cross-designated to handle criminal and civil matters as a member of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (“ACE”) team, he tried more than twenty federal cases to verdict and led grand jury investigations involving more than twenty federal agencies. His prosecutorial work spanned international money laundering, financial crimes, maritime treaty violations, human trafficking, environmental offenses, health care fraud, and False Claims Act litigation. He has also appeared before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Earlier, Matt served as an Assistant Solicitor in South Carolina’s First Circuit, where he spent three years prosecuting criminal cases in state court. His trial experience spans every level of South Carolina’s state and federal courts.

Matt brings a unique insiders approach to helping his clients, combining his prosecutorial judgment with an understanding of federal decision-making, complex regulatory environments, and the increasingly interconnected roles of government and industry in advancing national priorities.

Highlights

Representation of United States Senator Lindsey Graham: Along with former US Attorney for the District of South Carolina Bart Daniel, Matt represented U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in connection with the grand jury investigation led by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis into efforts to challenge the results of Georgia's 2020 presidential election. (Lindsey Graham hires Charleston lawyers and will fight Georgia subpoena)

South Carolina Port Security Task Force: Matt is the architect behind the South Carolina Port Security Task Force, a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership designed to advance the White House’s prioritization of critical infrastructure protection. As the initiative’s founding chairman, Matt has spearheaded efforts to bring together local, state, and federal stakeholders alongside private-sector leaders to strengthen the Charleston harbor’s security and operational resilience. He has played a central role in coordinating state-level budget and legislative negotiations, engaging federal counterparts, and positioning South Carolina to serve as a national model for collaborative maritime security.

Commendation from US Department of State – Office of Inspector General (“DOS-OIG”) for Prosecution of Procurement Fraud and Financial Crimes: Matt received a commendation from the Inspector General of the DOS-OIG for his efforts partnering with a single special agent working out of his home to the creation of a resident field office in Charleston, SC. Early in his career as a federal prosecutor, Matt was designated as the AUSA responsible for working with the DOS-OIG to investigate procurement fraud and financial crimes against the United States Treasury, which sends approximately $6 billion annually through the U.S. Department of State Global Financial Services Center (“CGFS”) in Charleston, SC.

Commendation from Main Justice Environmental and Natural Resources Division (“ENRD”) for Prosecution of Environmental Crimes in US v. Aegean Shipping Management, S.A. (T/V Green Sky), et al (2:16-cr-00551-MBS): Matt received a commendation from the Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division (“ENRD”) of the Department of Justice for his role partnering with Main Justice Trial Attorneys and special agents with the US Coast Guard Investigative Service (“CGIS”) to successfully obtain multiple guilty pleas and convictions after a three week trial. The investigation stemmed from a whistleblower complaint that personnel aboard the Liberian-flagged chemical tanker T/V Green Sky illegally discharged oily bilge waste into the ocean and falsified required records to conceal those discharges in violation of MARPOL, the primary international treaty governing pollution from ships.

Commendation in from the Resident Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Charleston Resident Office (“Charleston RO”): In 2019, Matt received a commendation for his work with Secret Service Agents investigating and successfully prosecuting a multi-defendant conspiracy to produce counterfeit United States currency.

SAR Review Team Leader: Designated AUSA responsible for conducting quarterly meetings of state and federal law enforcement agencies to review Suspicious Activity Reports (“SARs”) filed by financial institutions with FinCEN under the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) to identify criminal activity, coordinate investigations, and share intelligence among federal, state, and local agencies.

Successful Prosecutions of Multi-Defendant Human Trafficking Conspiracies: Through Matt’s work leading an investigative team consisting of special agents with the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI"), securing convictions of 10 sex traffickers, three of whom were convicted at trial, the Human Trafficking Institute issued a report ranking South Carolina first in the nation for obtaining restitution from 100% of convicted human trafficking defendants, compared with a national rate of 33%. Matt has remained active helping survivors of human trafficking, working regularly with the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force and non-government agencies dedicated to providing support services in addition to representing families of survivors assisting with state and federal law enforcement operations.

Pro Bono Service: Matt has been included in the Supreme Court of South Carolina’s Pro Bono Honor Roll in recognition for services rendered to the citizens of South Carolina.

Community Involvement

St. Mary’s of the Annunciation, Parishioner

Porter-Gaud Alumni Board (2010)

Roper St. Francis Leadership Academy (2011)

SC Bar Leadership Academy (2015)

Landmarks for Families, Board Member (2022-2026)

Charleston School of Law Alumni Board (2013-2015)

Charleston School of Law Alumni Board Executive Committee (2026-Present)

Federal Bar Association (SC) Board Member (2015-Present)

SC Bar Health Care Section, Chair (2019-2020)

Education

J.D., Charleston School of Law, 2009

M.H.A., Medical University of South Carolina, 2014

B.A., History, University of the South (Sewanee), 2005

Order of the Gown (Academic Honor Society)

Men’s Varsity Basketball

Green Ribbon Society

Experience

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Charleston — Partner (2020–2026)

U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Carolina — Assistant United States Attorney, Charleston (2014–2020)

Litigation associate, private practice (2013–2014)

First Circuit Solicitor's Office, South Carolina — Assistant Solicitor (2010–2013)

AudiaHealth, LLC — Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (2008–2010)