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Shareholder and General Counsel
Matthew C.
Smith is an experienced civil litigator and trial attorney. He has
obtained victories for his clients at both the trial and appellate levels.
Matt represents businesses and individuals in complex commercial disputes,
and defends professionals accused of negligence.
He has successfully defended dozens
of professionals including accountants, insurance brokers, psychotherapists,
real estate professionals, and other attorneys. In several cases, he
was able to file a motion for summary judgment or other dispositive motion
that resulted in an outright win for the client, or a settlement on very
favorable terms.
Matt also has significant appellate experience,
often defending victories achieved in the trial court. To date, he has
argued five cases before the California Court of Appeal.
From 2002 to 2005, he was co-chair of the firm's Attorney
Recruiting Committee. Today, Matt is actively involved in firm management,
and serves as General Counsel to the firm.
Matt was born in San Carlos, California, but was raised
in Redmond, Washington. He studied
history at the University of Washington before attending law school at Washington & Lee
University in Lexington, Virginia. Before
joining Klinedinst, Matt managed a number of
small businesses. He has been licensed to practice
law
in the state of California since 2000.
Professional And Community Affiliations
Publications and Interviews
Recognition and Awards
- Gardner Brothers’ Award for Oral Advocacy
- American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence
- Winner, John W. David Moot Court Competition
- National Moot Court Team
- ATLA National Mock Trial Team
- Second Place, Washington & Lee Mock Trial Competition
- First Place, American Bar Association Negotiation
Competition
- First Place, American Bar Association Client Counseling
Competition
Representative Matters
- Served as lead trial counsel
defending attorney against claims of malpractice in connection with
an underlying marital dissolution action; prevailed on motion for non-suit
days into trial. As a result, the Plaintiff was required to pay Matt's
client $15,000.
- Represented a small business in a lawsuit based
on a work site injury. Plaintiff dismissed the lawsuit the day before
trial, and initiated an arbitration action instead. The arbitration
panel awarded Plaintiff only $88.25 -- well short of Plaintiff's $102,000
demand.
- Represented law firm against claims of malpractice
in connection with a complex business reorganization and secured financing
transaction; prevailed during trial-by-reference on motion for non-suit.
- Served as lead trial counsel in the successful defense
of a contempt of court action based on allegedly wrongful commercial
competition in a dispute between owners of a privately-held corporation.
- Defended a closely-held corporation and its majority
shareholder in a corporate governance / breach of fiduciary duty case
arising out of a reverse merger and share purchase.
Speaking Engagements
- Lorman Education Services, "Ethics in Litigation"
(August, 2005)
- 8th International Conference on Family Violence:
"Ethical Issues and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA) Compliance" (September, 2003)
- "Domestic Law of War: The USA Patriot Act and
Civil Liberties," American Inns of Court (March, 2003)
- 4th Annual Klinedinst Employment Law Symposium, Topic:
“Trial By Fire”
(December, 2001)
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San
Diego, California
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Practice Areas
Appellate
Business
Professional
Liability
Admitted to Bar
California (2000)
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
California (2001)
U.S. District Court in the Central District of California
(2001)
Education
University of Washington (B.A., 1996)
Washington & Lee University School of Law (J.D.,
2000)
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