MATTHEW HAMMOND
Social Studies Teacher,
former Antitrust Enforcer & Dad
The Northern Lights near Reykjavík, Iceland (Feb. 2023, MCHammond)
Who am I?
I am a recently licensed teacher in the District of Columbia in secondary social studies looking to be in my own classroom for the 2026–2027 school year. I completed my student teaching in January 2026 and earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching in UDC's teacher-prep program, concentrating on secondary social studies. My student teaching, and even substitute teaching, have only made me more eager to get into my own classroom.
My goal is to be a full-time social studies teacher in a public high school or middle school. I'm interested in teaching any social studies class, with a particular interest in U.S. history, government, and economics. In addition, I hope to bring my work experience to bear in working with students in extracurricular activities (e.g., mock trial, Model UN, debate).
In my prior life, I was an experienced trial attorney in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice for more than 25 years. I focused on telecom and technology industries, and my last case was United States v. Google LLC (D.D.C.). I took voluntary early retirement in March 2024 expressly to become a teacher.
My Abridged Resume
Education
University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC
M.A. in Teaching, 2025, Secondary Social Studies
Researched authentic social studies learning activities to better implement culturally responsive teaching.
Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri
J.D., 1997, Order of the Coif
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
B.A., 1991, Government & History, Dean’s List
Teaching Experience (also see Skills transferable to teaching in Work History below)
Student Teacher, Richard Wright Schools (Charter), Washington, DC, Nov. 2025–Jan. 2026
U.S. History II (9th grade); mentored students for DC’s National History Day competition.
Student Teacher, Charles Hart Middle School (DCPS), Washington, DC, Feb.–Mar. 2025
U.S. History I (7th grade)
Substitute Teacher, District of Columbia Public Schools, Washington, DC, 2024–present
Since March 2026, long-term substitute at Kramer Middle School (6th, 7th & 8th grades)
Religious Education Teacher, River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Bethesda, Maryland, 2006–present
Middle school and high school students.
Fellow, Harvard Law School, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2018–2019
Co-taught course on competition at John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Licensure
Standard Teacher Credential in Secondary Social Studies, District of Columbia
Work History
Trial Attorney & Assistant Section Chief, 1998–2024
Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Chicago, Illinois & Washington, DC
Investigated potential violations of federal antitrust laws and recommended enforcement actions, litigated lawsuits, and drafted numerous recommendations and court filings.
Skills transferable to teaching:
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Mentoring attorneys and paralegals to develop their skills and be in a position to succeed.
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Presenting complex information using primary sources placed in context, identifying key themes and issues, and creating narratives addressing alternative interpretations of the facts.
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Adapting presentations and training in real-time based on audience reactions, questions, and comments to ensure understanding.
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Writing and editing explanatory and argumentative texts and presentations.
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Providing actionable feedback on writing and presentation skills.
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Planning and leading in-person and remote training using a variety of learning activities.
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Leading teams, both small and large, to complete long and short-term projects.
Law Clerk, The Honorable Carolyn Dineen King, 1997–1998
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Houston, Texas
Supervisor, Cornell Dining & Cornell Catering, 1992–1994
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Selected Service & Awards
Diversity Committee, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 2015–2022
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Co-Chair (2019–2021) & Chair of Disability Subcommittee.
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Recommended, developed, and implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion workplace changes and programs, including implicit-bias training and expanded recruiting outreach.
U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity, 2018