Biography
Matt is a Partner in the firm’s Garden City office. He has over fifteen years of experience defending individuals and corporations in complex litigation matters. He is attuned to the need to both control costs and curb potential liability exposure. Matt looks are alternative remedies of early claim resolution by employing ADR, mediation, and early resolution discussion with counsel. Matthew is equally comfortable litigating in both the various and diverse counties with New York State and Federal Court system. He is particularly aware of risk transfer through indemnification and insurance provisions which facilitate risk and exposure shifting to secondary entities. Importantly, Matt knows when cases should be tried and, perhaps more importantly, when they should be resolved without the uncertainty of a jury trial.
When not working, Matt enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife, two boys, and dog.
Education
The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, J.D., 2005
Cornell University, B.A., 2000
Honors
New York Metro Super Lawyers, Rising Stars 2013-2017
Professional Leadership
Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network
Representative Matters
Jury No-Cause in Trucking Exposure
After a three-week jury trial in Supreme Court, Bronx County matter Matt was able to obtain a defense verdict for a national trucking company. Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury for $5.4 million after arguing that his client would need neck surgery and would be disabled for the remainder of her life. Matt was able to successfully argue that his client did had no liability for the multi-vehicle accident and that the secondary police vehicle involved in the accident was the proximate cause.
Quinones v City of New York et al., Supreme Court of the State of New York, Queens County, Index No. 1532-2007
Matt obtained the dismissal of his client, a US nonprofit organization, in a case involving a high profile wrongful death matter within the New York City public school system. Plaintiff’s estate, which had demanded several million dollars to settle the action, attempted to argue that the nonprofit was liable for the young student’s death as a result of the nonprofit’s involvement in a nearby playground renovation construction project. By securing dismissal early in litigation, Matt curtailed years of protracted costs for his client. No appeal was taken.
Successful Federal Court Mediation
Matt was able to successfully argue that a publicly traded United States government-sponsored enterprise did not have liability for the injury of a real estate broker at a property owned by the enterprise. At mediation before the Federal Magistrate in the Southern District of New York, Matt was able to resolve the matter without the client contributing anything to the ultimate settlement package.
Presentations
Presenter, Overview of General Liability and Contractual Liability Principles in New Jersey and New York, Fannie Mae Headquarters, Dallas, TX, March 4, 2016
Publications
Author, “Touchdown Jets! Federal Judge Rules that New York Football Team Can Use ‘Ultimate Fan’ Phrase,” Sports Litigation Alert, June 14, 2013
Co-Author, “Why Profits Trump Playoffs in College Football,” Sports Litigation Alert, Volume 7, Issue 8, 2010
Co-Author, “The Rich Keep Getting Richer and The Poor, Poorer…in the Bowl Championship Series,” NYSBA Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Journal, Fall/Winter 2009