Overview

Matt's experience and knowledge of potential outcomes in litigation reduces his clients' risks.  He represents his clients in a clear and understandable manner in order to convince a judge or jury of his client's position.  

Representative Experience

• Experienced in a broad range of litigation areas, including commercial litigation, creditors' rights, intellectual property infringement, probate litigation, toxic torts and asbestos litigation defense, foreclosures and evictions.
• Experienced with First Amendment constitutional issues and writing rules and regulations for governmental clients.

Creditors' Rights Experience

• Represents banks and other lenders in loan workouts
• Represents creditors in all facets of bankruptcies, including but not limited to: 
  • Objecting to bankruptcy plans and disclosure statements
  • Obtaining relief from bankruptcy stays
  • Defending preference actions and other adversary proceedings
  • Prosecuting fraudulent transfer actions
  • Defending objections to proof of claims
  • Making and enforcing demands for adequate assurance of future performance
• Experienced in all areas of commercial and consumer debt collection, including but not limited to:
  • Wage garnishments
  • Account attachments
  • Debtor exams
  • Seizure and sale of personal property
  • Filing creditors’ bill actions
• Handling foreclosure actions from filing through property sale and distribution of proceeds
• Representing receivers and creditors in receiverships
• Experienced with preparing, recording and enforcing mechanics' liens
• Prosecuting fraudulent transfer litigation in state and bankruptcy courts, including the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the 6th Circuit
• Preparing and filing UCC financing statements
• Preparing reaffirmation agreements
• Enforcing Cognovit Notes

Honors & Awards

• Selected for inclusion in Ohio's Super Lawyers® - Rising Star™ (2012-2015)
• Ohio State Bar Foundation Community Service Award (2016)
• Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce 30 for the Future Award Recipient (2013)

Courts & Bar Associations

• Ohio Bar
• Akron Bar
• American Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association, Northern District
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

Professional & Civic Affiliations

• Board Member, Rahab Ministries (2019)
• Member, Leadership Akron Class 2016
• Board Member, The Love Akron Network
  • Past Board Chair, The Love Akron Network
• Past Board Member, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit, Medina & Stark Counties
  • Past Board President, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit, Medina & Stark Counties
• Member, Scanlon/Bell Inn of Court
• Volunteer Guardian, Summit County Probate Court, Volunteer Guardian Program

Presentations 

• "Resident Landlord-Tenant Law in Ohio," Lorman Education Seminar
• "Residential Landlord-Tenant Law: Leases, Evictions, Litigation and Settlements," Sterling Education Services (2015)
• "Landlord-Tenant Evictions, Court and Litigation," Sterling Education Services Seminar
• "Residential Landlord-Tenant Law in Ohio," Lorman Education Seminar
• Akron Board of Realtors Mock Trial on Landlord-Tenant Disputes
• "Fiduciary Duties of Nonprofit Board Members," Ohio Youth Soccer Association Workshop
• "Risk Management and Fiduciary Responsibilities," Ohio Youth Soccer Association North Annual Meeting
• "Advancing the Board: Board Leadership," Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America Workshop

Publications

• "New Laws Seek to Modernize Foreclosure Process," Properties Magazine (2016)
• Quoted in "New rules governing foreclosures set to take effect," Akron Legal News (2016)
• "Common mistakes in product liability cases," Akron Legal News (2015)
• "Municipal Permits for Fracking Struck Down," Properties Magazine (2015)
• Quoted in "Late Rent Payments: Do's and Don'ts for Landlord," Akron Legal News (2014)