Federal Employment Law Attorney
Former Defense Health Agency Labor & Employment Attorney, Army Judge Advocate, and Advisor to Federal Agency Leadership
Aaron Matthes has spent his career working inside the very federal employment systems that now affect many of his clients. Before joining National Security Law Firm, Aaron served as a Labor and Employment Attorney in the Office of General Counsel for the Defense Health Agency, where he advised agency leadership on some of the most significant personnel, disciplinary, investigative, and workplace issues facing one of the Department of Defense’s largest organizations.
In that role, Aaron counseled decision-makers on employee discipline, adverse actions, workplace investigations, discrimination complaints, labor relations issues, retaliation allegations, and other high-stakes employment matters. He also actively litigated employment cases on behalf of the agency, giving him firsthand insight into how federal agencies evaluate allegations, build cases, defend personnel actions, and make decisions affecting employees’ careers.
Prior to his service with the Defense Health Agency, Aaron served on active duty in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Throughout his military career, he advised commanders and senior leaders on investigations, administrative actions, personnel matters, military justice issues, and operational law. His assignments included service as Brigade Judge Advocate for the 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade, legal advisor to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Senior Special Victims’ Counsel for the 25th Infantry Division, military prosecutor, and criminal defense counsel. Aaron continues to serve as an officer in the United States Army Reserve.
Aaron’s experience provides clients with a unique perspective because he has advised the very leaders responsible for making employment decisions while also litigating the disputes that arise from those decisions. He understands how federal agencies investigate misconduct allegations, evaluate evidence, assess credibility, determine appropriate discipline, and defend their actions before administrative tribunals. This experience allows him to help clients anticipate agency concerns, identify weaknesses in a case, and develop effective strategies to protect their careers and professional futures.
Today, Aaron represents federal employees, service members, contractors, and applicants facing removals, suspensions, disciplinary actions, discrimination claims, retaliation allegations, hostile work environment claims, whistleblower issues, MSPB appeals, EEOC complaints, administrative investigations, and other high-stakes federal employment matters.
Jurisdictions Admitted: West Virginia. Represents clients nationwide in federal employment, military, federal administrative, and national security matters.
Education: LL.M., Military Law (Administrative & Civil Law), The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School; J.D., West Virginia University College of Law; B.S., Old Dominion University.