Overview
Matthew J. Baione is a founding partner of Pitta & Baione LLP, a New York law firm originally built on advocacy for the 9/11 community and now serving clients across a broad range of benefit, personal injury, estate, and transactional matters. Since co-founding the firm in 2016, Matthew has overseen the firm’s claims practice and client advocacy efforts, helping ensure that thousands of individuals and families receive the compensation and lifetime healthcare benefits to which they are entitled. Under his leadership, the firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of clients, including some of the firm’s most significant recoveries.
Among those recoveries includes:
- A $3+ million award secured on behalf of a disabled financial executive battling metastatic breast cancer, a result Matthew helped grow from an initial $1 million determination through a successful amendment
- A $1.7+ million award for a disabled New York State court reporter battling brain cancer
- A $1.1+ million award for a disabled Local 94 operating engineer suffering from late-stage pulmonary fibrosis
- A $550,000+ appellate win for a New York City mechanic against a wrongfully applied enforced retirement age
Matthew plays a central role in the firm’s case strategy, client-quality assurance, crisis management, and long-term growth initiatives. Over the past decade, he has guided the firm and its clients through complex legal, administrative, and policy-related challenges involving the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), and related federal and state benefit systems. During the 2019 Victim Compensation Fund funding crisis, he helped coordinate large-scale filing and advocacy efforts connected to the eventual reauthorization of the Fund under the Never Forget the Heroes Act.
He also serves as a liaison to federal administrators and policymakers on issues affecting the 9/11 community and has worked alongside advocacy organizations to support initiatives expanding protections and access to benefits for survivors, responders, and veterans. His efforts have included public outreach, legislative advocacy, and helping clients navigate issues extending beyond compensation claims, including probate and Medicaid-related matters.
In addition to his legal practice, Matthew has played a significant role in the firm’s growth and community outreach efforts. He helped expand the firm’s presence within New York City’s immigrant communities, including the development of its Chinese-language practice and longstanding partnerships throughout Chinatown and Lower Manhattan. He has also led grassroots outreach initiatives and community engagement efforts that strengthened the firm’s reputation and client relationships across New York City.
Internally, Matthew remains focused on mentorship, operational development, and building systems that allow the firm to continue delivering responsive, mission-driven representation. He has helped recruit and develop team members into leadership positions and continues to mentor interns, young attorneys, and support staff on advocacy, professionalism, and client service.
Beyond the practice of law, Matthew is active in charitable and civic initiatives supporting education, cancer survivors, and 9/11-related causes. He has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star for multiple consecutive years and has been named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for his work in advocacy and client representation.
Education
- Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, New York, New York. Doctor of Jurisprudence, Constitutional Law concentration, 2014
- St. John’s University, Staten Island, New York. Bachelor of Arts, Social Studies, minor in Philosophy, 2011
Bar Admissions
- New York, 2015
- New Jersey, 2014
Professional Affiliations
- New York State Bar Association, Member
- New York City Bar Association, Member
Public Service
- Marco Polo Festival Committee, Member
- Chinese-American Planning Council, Human Rights Committee, Advocate
News
- He waited years. Now, his wife’s 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund claim deemed eligible for approval, Staten Island Advance, 2/23/2023
- 9/11 responders and survivors now get coverage for uterine cancer; for some, it’s too late, lohud. 1/24/2022
- Women left out of 9/11 benefits finally eligible for health care, compensation, The Fuller Project, 1/23/2023
- Uterine cancer recognized as 9/11 illness, widening scope of World Trade Center Health Program, Staten Island Advance, 1/17/2023
- Letter: Clearing up confusion about new 9/11 victim compensation laws, Crain’s New York Business, 10/14/2022
- Veterans who worked as 9/11 first responders can’t access WTC health program due to technicality, New York Daily News, 8/29/2022
- As city mulls releasing 9/11 documents related to toxic air, former Staten Island Sanitation worker urges transparency, Staten Island Advance, 8/8/2022
- Single-mom with cancer ‘could go tomorrow,’ but fighting due to 9/11 fund, Staten Island Advance, 9/23/2019
- Years later, cancer cases linger over 9/11 anniversary, Yahoo! News, 9/9/2019
- His health failing, Con Edison 9/11 responder continues fight for compensation, Staten Island Advance, 9/6/2019
- House Passes Act for 9/11 First Responders, But Future Still Uncertain for Victims, NBC New York, 7/15/2019
- City officials urge feds to extend funding for 9/11 victims’ fund, Staten Island Advance, 5/29/2019
- SJU Alumni Found 9/11 Compensation Firm, St. John’s University Torch, 5/27/2019
- Rep. Max Rose secures support for 9/11 victims’ fund, guarantees House vote, Staten Island Advance, 5/23/2019
- Never Forget the Heroes Act a must for 9/11 responders, Staten Island Advance, 4/21/2019
- Islanders push for extension of 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, Staten Island Advance, 2/28/2019
- New firm will focus on 9/11 toxin exposure victims, Staten Island Advance, 8/9/2016
- Veterans who worked as 9/11 first responders can’t access WTC health program due to technicality, New York Daily News, 8/29/2022
