Tia Ebarb Matt

Education:
B.S., University of Arizona
J.D., University of Washington

Office Hours:
By appointment.

Bio:
Professor Tia Ebarb Matt joined OCU Law in July 2022 as a Clinical Professor of Law and the Director of Experiential Learning. In her role, she oversees the Experiential Learning program which includes the law clinics, externships, LLI, skills competitions, experiential courses, and pro bono. She provides supportive leadership to the Directors of these exciting opportunities for students.

Professor Ebarb Matt received her bachelor’s in Criminal Justice in 1995 and attended the University of Washington School of Law, in which she received a Doctorate of Jurisprudence, (J.D.) in 1999. Since graduating with her J.D., she started her own legal practice in the States of Arizona and Washington, focusing on Estate and Business Planning with an emphasis on Asset Protection. Her clients are primarily medical doctors and real estate developers, two target groups that have a higher-than-usual occurrence of legal vulnerability. By utilizing key legal entities, such as LLCs, LPs, Corporations, FLPs, and Trusts, she provides a protection plan for the assets of her clients in a legal and manageable format.

Prior to her arrival at OCU, Professor Ebarb Matt spent 8 years at the University of Exeter Law School in England where she was an Associate Professor of Law and the Director of Clinical Legal Education. She created from scratch a vibrant pro bono program that included 20+ individual options including 6 legal advice clinics that served individuals in the South West. Over 400 students participated in the program each year. She established relationships with local and national entities, such as the police, the magistrates, the judiciary, MPs, legal practitioners, various charities, members of industry, and universities.

Professor Ebarb Matt believes that teaching through practical work impacts the way students learn, and it ultimately instills critical thinking and leadership skills and facilitates students in developing self-efficacy, empathy, and a sense of belonging.

She is admitted to practice before the United States 9th District Court and the United States Tax Court. She is also a solicitor in England and Wales.

Professor Ebarb Matt is an enrolled member of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb and is the first female in her family to graduate from high school and to attend university.

She hopes to see you around!