Summary

Matt helps companies and non-profits navigate through the challenges of high-stakes product liability and commercial litigation, regulatory compliance and investigations by federal and state regulators, and corporate governance.

Advocating on behalf of his clients feeds Matt’s competitive spirit. From getting wins in near impossible situations, to finessing internal investigations that received no negative press, to taking over a case where he was able to decertify a class action and renegotiate a settlement from eight to five figures, to passionately working pro bono to effect positive change statewide for survivors of domestic abuse, to being part of a group of pro bono lawyers who took a case (and won) to the U.S. Supreme Court, Matt brings razor-sharp intellect, finely-honed skills, and a fiery passion to his work.

Clients choose Matt to serve as their advocate because they appreciate his ability to be the calmest person in the room, a strategist who is always thinking three steps ahead. Some have said working with Matt is like playing chess while his opponents are playing checkers – as a classic devil’s advocate, he is able to pick apart strongly held positions with ease. One of his favorite expressions is “Don’t get in the mud with pigs. You’ll only get dirty, and the pigs like it.”

Matt has always been a high achiever. He was summa cum laude and on full scholarship at Vincennes University, cum laude at Indiana University – Bloomington, and summa cum laude at Indiana University McKinney School of Law, where he graduated at the top 1% of class and was editor-in-chief of the law school’s flagship law review. He also clerked for Hon. Randall T. Shepard, Chief Justice of Indiana, and for multiple years he was recognized for pro bono commitment (pro bono honor roll), a recipient of his prior firm’s top pro bono award, and has been recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer for many years.

Early in Matt’s life, it was clear he was destined to be a lawyer and leader. As a second grader, he drew a picture of a man in a suit standing in front of a judge, and, in barely readable handwriting, wrote, “I want to lawyer.” He was also the classic “debate class” type who recognized the power of words to change outcomes – a skill which makes him a formidable oral advocate and strong, persuasive writer.

Matt has held leadership roles throughout his life and cares deeply about his community. He currently serves as board president of Meridian-Kessler Neighborhood Association (18,000 residents, 6,000 homes, large business, and school community); board member for the Indianapolis City-Market; board member for the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence; chairman of the annual Immaculate Heart of Mary Fall Festival/Oktoberfest, and board member of their Finance Committee. He serves as outside general counsel to numerous small and medium-sized companies around the Midwest, providing counsel to boards of directors and C-suite executives on a full breadth of legal, strategic, and regulatory matters.

Matt has extensive experience in the area of toxic torts, medical devices, and personal injury defense. Matt’s first case involved the defense of mining companies accused of injuring large populations by spreading nano-particulates. As a young partner, Matt led the defense of a concert stage manufacturer involved in a stage collapse. Matt has worked with and led a team of lawyers involved in nationwide toxic torts relating to medical devices. He has also defended vehicle manufacturers on a nationwide basis against product liability claims. And Matt represents clients facing liability relating to talc and asbestos exposure.

Matt’s regulatory and compliance experience is extensive. He has represented clients in administrative actions brought by state and federal regulators, including the U.S. Department of Justice, IRS, SEC, state Attorney General’s offices, state insurance commissioners, and state Securities Divisions. He also litigates complex constitutional law matters in trial and appellate courts and has handled appeals in numerous state and federal appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Awards

  • Honoree, Indiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2009 – 2015)

  • Honoree, Future Star, Benchmark Litigation (2009)

  • Taft Pro Bono Honor Roll Award

    (2023)

All Service Areas

Education

  • Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (2001)
  • Indiana University (1997)

Admissions

  • State - Indiana
  • Federal - 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Federal - Northern District of Indiana
  • Federal - Southern District of Indiana
  • Federal - Northern District of Illinois

Notable Matters

  • In re Biomet M2A Magnum Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (2021) (representation of medical device manufacturer in nationwide litigation).
  • Borger v. Polaris, Inc. (Clarke County, Nevada 2019) (representation of vehicle manufacturer in product liability litigation).
  • A. Schulman, Inc. v. Citadel Plastic Holdings, Inc. (Del. Ch. 2018) (representation of seller in M&A litigation alleging fraud and criminal misconduct).
  • Camp Tecumseh Y.M.C.A. v. White County Commissioners (2018) (representation of state’s largest children’s camp in litigation relating to county’s approval of industrial animal feeding operation on neighboring property).
  • FdG Logistics LLC v. A&R Logistics Holdings, Inc. (Del. Ch. 2016) (representation of buyer in M&A litigation alleging fraud, misrepresentation, and indemnification).
  • In re Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse Litigation (Marion County Sup. Ct.) (2015) (representation of stage and concert set manufacturer in consolidated litigation).
  • Koehlinger v. State Lottery Commission of Indiana (Marion County Sup. Ct.) (2011) (class action litigation relating to alleged misrepresentations concerning scratch-off game).
  • Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, 542 U.S. 507 (2004) (habeas corpus petition brought on behalf of U.S. citizen being detained indefinitely as an “illegal enemy combatant”) (amicus).

Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association

    Member

  • Seventh Circuit Bar Association

    Member

  • Indiana State Bar Association

    Member

  • Indianapolis Bar Association

    Member

Community Involvement

  • Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence

    Member

  • Meridian-Kessler Neighborhood Association

    Board Member

  • Midtown Economic Council

    Member

  • Indianapolis City Market

    Board Member

  • Immaculate Heart of Mary

    Board Member, Finance Committee
    Chairman, Annual Fall Festival/Oktoberfest