Matt focuses his practice on complex business litigation and class actions and has represented clients in a variety of matters, including involving allegations of false and deceptive advertising, unfair competition, wage and hour and other employment violations, breach of contract, fraud and other torts. His work has covered nearly all stages of litigation, from initial fact investigation and drafting pleadings, through fact and expert discovery, dispositive and class certification motion practice, trial, post-trial briefing and appeals. Matt has been effective in disposing of or significantly narrowing cases in early stages of litigation through dispositive motion practice and developing creative and cost-efficient strategies that achieve clients’ litigation and business goals.
Before joining Shook, Matt worked as an associate for Sidley Austin. Matt earned his law degree from UCLA School of Law and externed for the Hon. Dolly M. Gee of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Representative Matters
Obtained summary judgment in action against major online retailer alleging disability discrimination, harassment, retaliation and related claims.
Obtained summary judgment defeating PAGA representative action involving more than 4,000 employees alleging violation of temperature and seating provisions of California Wage Order.
Member of trial team that obtained $13.25 million jury verdict, including $3.25 million in punitive damages, on behalf of client action in action alleging breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing and interference with contract over an earn-out from a sale of addiction recovery facilities.
Represented retailer in dispute brought by supplier alleging breach of oral and written contracts and promissory estoppel.
In appellate victory in Dantzler v. S2 Services Puerto Rico, LLC, obtained dismissal on standing grounds of putative class action challenging more than $150 million in port security fees as unconstitutional under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments and Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Obtained decertification of wage and hour class action against an international property and casualty insurer alleging misclassification of claims adjusters and order striking PAGA claims as unmanageable. Member of trial team that obtained across-the-board jury verdict in favor of the insurer as to the remaining nine named plaintiffs’ individual claims.
Defeated class certification in wage and hour action against retailer alleging on-duty meal and rest breaks, and obtained full dismissal of one related action and partial dismissal of other related actions under Rule 12(b)(6), leading to favorable, early consolidated settlement of actions.
Member of trial team that successfully defended TV provider in deceptive advertising action brought by the FTC seeking nearly $4 billion in monetary and injunctive relief. Obtained favorable judgment on partial findings after the FTC rested case-in-chief, which led to the FTC dismissing the case with prejudice. The case was recognized as a significant victory by The Wall Street Journal and Law360, and as a “Top Verdict” of 2018 by the Daily Journal.
Media Coverage
1st Circ. Frees Puerto Rican Agency From $150M Fees Suit, Law360, May 4, 2020.