Matthew Wright

Matthew Wright is a seasoned trial lawyer with over twenty years of experience before state and federal courts, administrative agencies, contract boards of appeal, and domestic and international arbitration tribunals. He has successfully defended countless high-value actions over his career, and has also obtained nearly $200 million in final judgments and arbitral awards on behalf of his plaintiff clients.

Matt is the Office Managing Partner of the Washington, DC office. He is a trial lawyer and counselor who focuses on complex commercial litigation involving government contracts, intellectual property and advertising cases, securities, real estate and property tax disputes, unclaimed property, products liability, and unfair competition law. He represents clients across multiple industries including, hospitality, healthcare, consumer products/electronics, telecommunications, financial services, and the federal procurement industry.

Known for his ability to develop and integrate a deep understanding of clients’ businesses and goals into innovative and effective legal representation, Matt takes a pragmatic and business-focused approach to litigation, tailored to meet the business objectives behind each specific case. When trial is unavoidable, Matt has an enviable track record of delivering exceptional results. But he is also a skilled negotiator who is able to recognize and take advantage of opportunities for clients to resolve their matter without resorting to potentially disruptive litigation. Matt’s practice also includes general counseling on litigation risk management and alternative dispute resolution options and agreements.

Matt is a member of the Board of Directors of the Council for Court Excellence, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice and fostering public education of the judicial system in Washington, DC. He has worked with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and DC Public Schools to organize and promote geographic literacy and an annual geography tournament for elementary school students in the District. Matt is also a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC).

Outside of work, Matt enjoys reading contemporary literature and collecting South African wine and art. Matt appreciates any opportunity to travel to Southern Africa with his wife and two daughters.

Currently representing a cellular phone manufacturer in twenty products liability cases pending in DC Superior Court in which plaintiffs allege that they suffered brain cancer as a result of exposure to cell phone emissions.

Secured an appellate victory on behalf of Overstock.com in the Delaware Supreme Court in a unique case involving Delaware escheat law and a qui tam action. The Court, sitting en banc, unanimously reversed a multi-million dollar false claim judgment entered against Overstock.com.

Lead defense counsel for the world’s largest mattress company in a Lanham Act false advertising, trademark, and unfair competition suit.

Secured a $69 million summary judgment on behalf of plaintiff patent pool that licenses consumer electronics technology in suit against two Chinese corporations and their individual owners who engaged in fraud, trademark infringement, counterfeiting, and breach of license agreement. The judgment included treble damages, interest, and attorney's fees.

Trial counsel for directors of a publicly traded behavioral health company in a shareholder class action. Obtained dismissals for non-executive directors and won a complete defense jury verdict on remaining claims against the CEO following a two-week jury trial (modified post-verdict).

Lead counsel for claimant defense contractor in an arbitration proceeding regarding Afghan tax liabilities; won $2.3 million arbitral award.

Trial counsel for third-party defendant in breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation, and breach of contract case; won $103.9 million jury verdict on counterclaim and defense verdict on claims asserted against client following a three week trial. Verdict Search ranked the verdict among the largest jury awards in the United States in 2004.

Counsel for claimant software services provider in a proceeding before the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Court of Arbitration involving breach of a software license agreement by a Chinese joint venture company; won a multimillion dollar award, including attorneys’ fees and costs.

Counsel for a group of bondholders in a fraud and breach of contract suit concerning a contested $110 million debt for equity swap of subprime mortgage backed securities.

Trial counsel to a large regional commercial and retail bank in a multimillion dollar lease dispute.

Defense counsel for a major producer and supplier of specialty ferroalloys in consolidated federal antitrust suits challenging alleged attempts to manipulate US import duties; matter resolved favorably for client.

Represent various hotel, hospital, and nursing home property owners in real property tax assessment appeals against District of Columbia.

Litigation counsel for a large pet food manufacturer in Lanham Act false advertising and unfair competition litigation.

Defense counsel for health care company in a shareholder class action lawsuit brought to enjoin the client’s acquisition in an announced tender offer; acquisition was consummated on time and the plaintiffs’ claims were abandoned with no payment or settlement.

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