“I spend most of my day just talking with clients, listening to what their goal is in their case, giving them my thoughts, building a strategy,” said Matthew Bissette, a partner at Raleigh-based Whitley Law Firm. His practice is entirely focused on workers’ compensation. “If you just listen uninterrupted, I think you can learn a lot.”
Workers’ comp law is set forth by the North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 97, known as the Workers’ Compensation Act. It governs work-related injuries, illness, and death benefits.
“If somebody is looking for a workers’ comp attorney, they really need somebody who knows the ins and outs of the statute. It’s heavily form-driven. There are a lot of tricks to the trade.”
“I think it’s important to get to know the deputy commissioners and people at the Industrial Commission who are deciding our clients’ cases,” explained Bissette. “I’m not always instructing them on the statute. I have to be creative. It’s very fact-specific. When I go before the commission, I’m trying to convince them. They are people too. They want to hear our clients’ stories.”
Find a Solution
“I guide clients through the workers’ comp process, but rather than just having all the answers, I really want to find a solution that works for them,” said Bissette.
“We help them do that by getting their benefits paid, approving medical treatment as quickly as possible, and helping them get back to work, if that is their goal. We are following them through their medical treatment. We know workers’ comp insurance works like health insurance, so we’re a lot more involved in their day-to-day. They’re getting a weekly check, so we’re a lot more involved in their recovery than in a personal injury case.”
“Litigating denied cases and helping people obtain settlements that we think are fair brings me a lot of pride and satisfaction when we can help a client navigate going back to work.”
Inspired By His Father
The Winston-Salem native graduated from UNC with a double major in economics and political science. He earned his Juris Doctor from Campbell University School of Law.
Bissette said he was inspired to become a lawyer by the example his father, Steve Bissette, set as a physician in Winston-Salem, who saw up to 50 patients a day.
“I thought it was cool that he was going to work seeing people all day, a bunch of different people, each with a different problem. He was talking with people and coming up with a path, a solution, and in many ways being their counselor,” said Bissette.
In 2000, his father started a free medical clinic, which later became The Shalom Project in Winston-Salem. Today, it also helps provide clothing and meals to those facing food insecurity.
“I would go to the clinic every Wednesday night. I wanted to do a job where you could see patients, but in this situation, see clients, and help people, and talk to them on a personal level, and understand what they were going through and seeing how I could help. I also look forward to doing pro bono work so I can point people in the right direction and give them as much advice as possible.”
Named Partner
Bissette has practiced at Whitley Law for eight years. He was named a partner earlier this year. “I think it’s a recognition of longevity and dedication to the firm,” said Bissette.
By longevity, he means working with Bob and Ben Whitley. “Bob has practiced for over 50 years. He has seen every single thing that you can imagine in the law. It’s hard to describe how good a resource he is.”
“I see a lot of lawyers of my generation who jump from firm to firm. But I think there’s a lot of value in staying somewhere for a long time. You learn the founders’ style. They trust you and give you a lot of responsibility and freedom to be your own lawyer. And that enables you to keep showing up for clients.”
