Journalist · Attorney · Podcast Host

Matthew S. Schwartz

I tell stories about the law and the people caught up in it. Currently hosting UnCommon Law for Bloomberg Law. Previously at NPR, WAMU, and Slate. Winner of the ABA Silver Gavel Award, the Edward R. Murrow Award, and two AP Awards.

Matthew S. Schwartz

About

I'm a reporter with Bloomberg Law in Washington, D.C., where I host and produce UnCommon Law, a narrative audio program now in its eleventh season. My reporting has won the ABA Silver Gavel Award, the legal profession's highest honor for media coverage.

Before Bloomberg, I produced stories for NPR's All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, Morning Edition and Hidden Brain. I also reported hundreds of spots for NPR's hourly newscast. At WAMU 88.5, I co-created Unprecedented, a podcast about the ordinary people behind landmark First Amendment cases at the Supreme Court, with appearances by NPR's Nina Totenberg. I also co-founded Booksmart Studios, the first podcast studio launched in partnership with Substack, where I served as executive producer.

In a past life, I was a telecommunications attorney representing major carriers, broadcasters and cable companies. I hold a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. in political science from the University of Michigan. In a past life, I was a telecommunications reporter covering the intersection of technology and policy. Go Blue!

Matthew Schwartz accepting the Edward R. Murrow Award from David Muir Accepting the Edward R. Murrow Award from ABC's David Muir

Bloomberg Law

UnCommon Law

ABA Silver Gavel Award Winner

Each season of UnCommon Law takes listeners inside a different corner of the legal system through deeply reported, scripted episodes with original interviews, archival audio, and cinematic sound design.

Season 11: Justice Transformed In Production

An investigation into the transformation of the Department of Justice. Featuring interviews with former Attorneys General, career prosecutors who resigned on principle, and legal scholars debating the limits of presidential power over federal law enforcement.

Recent Seasons

WAMU 88.5 / NPR

Unprecedented

Silver Gavel Finalist

Unprecedented tells the raw and emotional stories of ordinary people who, while pursuing justice all the way to the Supreme Court, defined the limits of our First Amendment rights. Co-hosted with Michael Vuolo, with special appearances by NPR's Nina Totenberg.

Featured Cases

Tinker v. Des Moines Two teenagers wore black armbands to school to protest Vietnam. The Supreme Court decided whether free speech extends to public school students.
Snyder v. Westboro Baptist Church When the Westboro Baptist Church picketed a Marine's funeral, his father sued. Does the First Amendment protect speech designed to inflict maximum pain?
Virginia v. Black The KKK, cross-burning, and an African-American ACLU lawyer who defended their right to do it. A case about the line between intent and historical perception.
Hustler v. Falwell A vulgar magazine parody of a famous preacher. How far does the right to mock public figures extend?

More Work

WAMU 88.5

What's With Washington?

A listener-driven series exploring the quirks, history, and hidden stories of the Washington, D.C. region.

NPR

All Things Considered

Produced feature stories and reported hundreds of spots for NPR's flagship programs, reaching millions of listeners nationwide. Ranging from the serious to the silly.

WAMU 88.5 / Metro Connection

Feature Reporting

Award-winning features on the Washington region. Stories on suicide prevention, marijuana decriminalization, charter school life, and the African-American ring shout tradition. Rebroadcast nationally on WBUR's Here and Now.

Browse stories →
Slate · Detroit News · Communications Daily

Print & Digital

Written journalism spanning technology policy, culture, and law. From daily tech reporting at Communications Daily to feature writing at Slate and The Detroit News.

Awards & Recognition

🏆
ABA Silver Gavel Award
The legal profession's highest honor for media
UnCommon Law, Bloomberg Law
🎙
Edward R. Murrow Award
National, Large Market — Feature Reporting
WAMU 88.5, 2015
🏅
Associated Press Award
Feature Reporting
WAMU 88.5
🎧
Associated Press Award
Use of Sound
WAMU 88.5
ABA Silver Gavel Finalist
Podcast category
AI and the Law, Bloomberg Law
ABA Silver Gavel Finalist
Podcast category
FTC Noncompete Ban, Bloomberg Law
ABA Silver Gavel Finalist
Podcast category
Unprecedented, WAMU / NPR

Get in Touch

For interview requests, press inquiries, story tips, speaking engagements, or just to say hello.

Signal username: schwartzreports.01