Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021 
- He is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law.
- He was awarded the North Carolina Advocates of Justice Order of Service Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
- He is a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers.*
Matt Harbin joined the workers’ compensation team of the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin in 2003 and became a Partner in 2008. For more than two decades, he has focused his practice on representing injured workers across North Carolina, bringing a thoughtful and client-centered approach to his work.
Rooted in Service and Community
Raised in Delaware, Matt grew up in a close-knit, community-oriented environment where helping others was a shared value. His father worked as a public school teacher and his mother served as an assistant director of a senior center, and these roles shaped his perspective and encouraged a lifelong commitment to service.
Matt graduated cum laude with a double major in History and Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. During his undergraduate years, he became involved in a pre-law society, where he connected with peers and mentors as well as legal professionals and public officials.
Path to Workers’ Compensation Law
Matt earned his JD from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Early in his career, he handled a range of matters including criminal, employment, and workers’ compensation cases. He later served as a Special Deputy Commissioner with the North Carolina Industrial Commission, gaining valuable insight into the state’s workers’ compensation system and its procedures.
“I enjoy being able to practice law while helping people fight for the medical care and disability benefits to which they may be entitled.”
In 2003, Matt joined the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin with the goal of working more directly with individuals navigating workplace injuries. Since then, he has built a practice focused on helping clients understand their options and pursue all the benefits they may be entitled to under North Carolina law.
Professional Affiliations, Awards, and Admissions
Matt is a rare North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law, a distinction held by a limited number of attorneys. He is also a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers and maintains active involvement in professional organizations, including the American Association for Justice, the Workplace Injury Litigation Group, and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) where he serves as a Workers’ Compensation Section Liaison to the Industrial Commission.*
Matt’s dedication and hard work has been recognized by his peers and professional organizations. He was honored with the NCAJ Order of Service Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019 for his committed service to the organization, and he has been named to the “Best Lawyers” list for Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants from 2021 through 2026.*
Matt is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. He is also affiliated with the 10th and 16th Judicial District Bar Associations.
Community Involvement
Outside of his legal practice, Matt is also involved in his local community. He volunteers as a mock trial advisor at Grimsley High School, where he works with students interested in the legal field. Matt lives in Greensboro with his wife and their three children and values family time and staying active in his neighborhood and community.*College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers standards of inclusion: cwclawyers.org. “Best Lawyers” standards of inclusion: bestlawyers.com.
