Matthew Cleary

A Victoria, BC native, Matthew Cleary pursued a broad and interdisciplinary education at the University of Victoria before entering the legal profession. His studies included subjects across the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and languages, eventually leading him to complete a degree in anthropology with an emphasis on cultural anthropology and ethnography.

Matthew’s interest in tort law emerged during law school and continued throughout his early legal training as an articled student and junior lawyer. Since being called to the BC Bar in 2008, he has focused his practice exclusively on plaintiff personal injury and tort litigation.

Dedicated to helping injured individuals, Matthew takes pride in advocating for clients who are facing difficult and often overwhelming circumstances. He believes effective legal representation can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and is passionate about helping clients pursue accountability and fair compensation.

Before beginning his legal career, Matthew travelled extensively throughout Southeast Asia, Central, and South America, where he operated an import-export art and furniture business and taught ESL. These experiences, together with his academic background, strengthened his appreciation for different cultures and human connections. Outside of work, Matthew enjoys travelling, fishing, gardening, reading detective novels, watching sports (especially the BC Lions and Whitecaps), and spending time with his family and dog.