Matt's practice primarily consists of litigating matters involving commercial, class action, business, estate and probate, and employment law. Matt has tried cases in federal court, state superior court, state district court, and before the United States Department of Labor. Matt's diverse trial experience includes medical negligence, wrongful death, whistleblower retaliation, and actions against "producers" in a $135 million Ponzi scheme. He also has experience litigating cases involving the First Amendment and representing clients at hearings before the Spokane County Hearing Examiner.

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Prior to joining the Riverside team, Matt was a partner at one of Spokane's largest firms and a Judicial Extern to Magistrate Judge James P. Hutton, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington.

 

Further, prior to his career as a lawyer, Matt served for four years as an infantryman in the U.S. Marine Corps. Matt's service took him to countries on four continents. As a member of the First Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment, Matt fought in the Second Battle of Fallujah in November 2004 and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat distinguishing "V" device for heroic and valorous actions during the battle.

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Commercial / General Litigation

Matt has handled numerous disputes between business entities and other parties relating to areas such as:

• Negligence

• Breach of contract

• Fraud / negligent misrepresentation

• Lease disputes

• Wrongful death

• Civil Rights

• Trade Secrets

• Will contests / TEDRA

• Construction defects

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Class Actions

Class Action lawsuits represent unique challenges that require experienced attorneys to develop and execute an effective litigation plan from the beginning. Matt has represented large businesses and financial institutions in class actions involving the following subject matters:

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• Wage & Hour

• Washington's Uniform Commercial Code

• Washington's Landlord Tenant Act

• Consumer Protection Act

• Breach of Contract

 

Energy Reorganization Act - Whistleblower Retaliation Claims

Matt defends employers in whistleblower retaliation actions brought under Section 211 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. § 5851, before the U.S. Department of Labor, Administrative Review Board, U.S. District Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

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• Tamosaitis v. URS Energy & Construction, Inc., URS Corporation, CV-11-5157 (E.D. Wash 2011) (granting summary judgment); on appeal, 781 F.3d 468 (9th Cir. 2015)

• Ford v. URS Energy & Construction, Inc, ALJ No. 2015 ERA-00010 (trial held, the Administrative Law Judge left employment with the Department of Labor without decision); plaintiff opted out of the Department of Labor, Ford v. AECOM, 18-CV-05101 (E.D. Wash 2018)

• Brown v. BWSR, LLC, ARB No. 2019-0060 (granting summary dismissal); affirmed on appeal, ALJ No. 2019-ERA-00003 (February 19, 2020)