C. MATTHEW BRANNEN, Associate

C. MATTHEW BRANNEN was born in Brooksville, Florida in 1976.  He attended the University of Florida, where he earned a B.A. Degree in 1997.  He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps on December 20, 1997 and was stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as an artillery officer with First Battalion, Tenth Marines.  While serving with First Battalion, Tenth Marines, he held positions as a forward observer, liaison officer, fire direction officer, platoon commander, and executive officer of Bravo Battery.  He left active duty in December 2001 to pursue his J.D. at the University of Florida, Levin College of Law, and continued to serve in the United States Marine Corps Reserve with 4th ANGLICO in West Palm Beach, Florida.  He was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on two different occasions during law school.  He was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions in Najaf, Iraq in April 2004.  He was also awarded the Cruz del Merito Militar con Distintivo Blanco by the Spanish military while serving as a liaison officer with the Multi-National Division in Iraq.  He graduated, cum laude, from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law in May 2006.  He is a member of the Florida Bar, the Jacksonville Bar Association and the Jacksonville Association of Defense Counsel.  His practice areas include insurance defense and commercial litigation.