Dr. Matthew Christopher Cox

Biography

Professor Matthew Christopher (Chris) Cox serves as Director of Trial Advocacy and Assistant Professor of Law at Campbell University School of Law. Before joining Campbell Law in 2023, Professor Cox had a distinguished 24-year career in the U.S. Navy, culminating in his role as a trial judge for the Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary where he presided over criminal cases and developed training curriculum for judges throughout the Navy.

Throughout his military career, Professor Cox demonstrated a deep commitment to legal education, training and mentoring dozens of junior attorneys, paralegals, and interns in criminal law, evidence, trial advocacy, and constitutional law. He has provided advanced litigation instruction to both prosecution and defense bars Navy-wide, while also developing and delivering curriculum for the judiciary. He was actively involved in various Navy-wide military justice reform initiatives, contributing his expertise to improve the military justice system.

During his service, Professor Cox deployed multiple times, including to Afghanistan where he served on detainee review boards handling top-secret materials, and throughout the Pacific region where he advised senior military commanders on international law and criminal law matters. His naval career encompassed roles as both prosecutor and defense counsel, handling complex cases involving national security, sexual assault, and other serious felonies. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he served as a cryptologist, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. On 9/11, he was standing watch aboard the USS Sides, a guided-missile frigate, then sailing off the coast of California.

Professor Cox holds a Ph.D. in Criminology, Law, and Justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Master’s in Legal Studies from the University of Illinois Springfield, and a J.D. from Northern Illinois University College of Law. He is also a graduate of the Naval War College’s Joint Professional Military Education program. His research employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine criminal justice system dynamics, particularly decision-making processes in military sexual assault cases and the effectiveness of court procedures.

A recognized expert in military justice, Professor Cox has authored numerous scholarly works, including articles in the Naval Law Review, Seattle Journal for Social Justice, and Southern Illinois University Law Journal. His expertise has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Military Justice Litigation Career Track Specialist II designation, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the American Bar Association’s Legal Assistance for Military Personnel Distinguished Service Award.

At Campbell Law, Professor Cox leads the trial advocacy program, where he develops curriculum and trains both students and faculty in trial techniques. He has also taught Criminal Procedure, bringing his extensive judicial and litigation experience to the classroom.