- OVERVIEW
- EXPERIENCE
- INSIGHTS
- NEWS & EVENTS
INDUSTRIES
PRACTICES
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Education
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University of Michigan Law School,
J.D., 1986
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University of Michigan,
B.Mus.A., with high distinction, 1983
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Admissions
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Illinois
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Illinois USDC, Northern District
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Recognitions
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Recognized by his peers in "Leading Lawyers" (by Law Bulletin Media) in the categories of Corporate Finance Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, and Securities & Venture Finance Law - 2022
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Employment
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Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Partner, 2011-2016
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Grippo & Elden
Partner (and Associate), 1988-2011
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Isham, Lincoln & Beale
Associate, 1986-1988
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Community
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American Blues Theater
President of the Board
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Matt draws on his wide-ranging corporate law background to guide entrepreneurs toward growth and success at each stage of their business.
Matt often serves as outside general counsel to his clients to help them address business challenges and develop creative and practical solutions. Using an array of legal tools, Matt structures and negotiates business arrangements that closely align with and advance his clients' overall business strategies.
At the foundation of his practice, Matt works with entities involved in mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and private equity transactions. His diverse transactional experience includes developing and commercializing technology, purchasing goods and services, building intellectual property protection programs, securities offerings and compliance, crafting competition and equity incentives for service providers, and other complex partnering and licensing arrangements.
Matt's clients come from many industries, but one significant area of his practice involves technology, which Matt particularly enjoys due to the industry's economic creativity and innovation. In addition to the technology sector, Matt represents manufacturing and distribution companies, start-ups and other established private and public enterprises. He also represents stockholders and directors (including special committees) who seek counsel on fiduciary duty issues.
Matt also has unique experience in the intersection of complex commercial litigation and transactions, as a former partner in a leading commercial litigation firm. He worked closely with litigators to analyze transactions and fiduciary duty issues, contribute to strategy, and develop changes to business practices and policies that led to the underlying litigation. This gives Matt unique insight into structuring transactions, working with legal compliance officers, and mitigating litigation risk and resolving disputes when litigation does occur.
As part of his ongoing effort to add value to each client engagement, Matt has been a leader in applying project management techniques to the delivery of legal services involving transactions. He is a "lean six sigma" yellow belt and has been trained in Agile Project Management.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Represented consulting firm in two acquisitions of software development companies
Represented media company in divestiture of newspaper operations
Represented consulting firm in connection with private equity investment
Represented public company (molecular diagnostics) in tender offer/merger
Represented bank holding company in acquisition by public company
Represented engineering services firm in connection with MBO with tender offer elements
Represented petroleum distributor in acquisition by public company
Represented three specialty food distributors in separate acquisitions and divestitures
Represented consulting firm in strategic acquisition by major consulting firm
Securities
Represented numerous early stage companies in Series A, B and C rounds of venture capital financing
Represented public health care company in SEC registration of several employee stock incentive plans
Represented public cancer diagnostic company in all SEC registration, reporting and compliance matters
Represented private companies in proxy solicitations
Represented private entities merging with public shell companies
Technology and Outsourcing
Represented major financial services firm in information technology and business process outsourcing transactions
Represented major sports apparel firm in information technology outsourcing transactions
Represented major financial services firm in procurement of software support services contract
Represented numerous clients in negotiating and drafting master services agreements for the acquisition or sale of goods or services
Represented numerous clients in SaaS and other license, hosting, service and support agreements
Represented numerous clients in software and other technology development agreements
Represented clients in technology transfer and sponsored research arrangements with universities
Governance
Represented numerous special committees of public and private companies in connection with shareholder derivative claims, internal investigations, and audit committee matters
Represented real estate board in governance and control disputes related to regional multiple listing service
Represented directors of private companies in shareholder disputes and contests for control
Thompson Coburn Publications
Corporate Transparency Act Reporting is a Reality
Community Property and the Corporate Transparency Act
Looking at CTA Filing Triggers? Don’t Forget the Impact of State Law!
Chicago raises 'Cloud Tax' in response to $1.2 billion budget gap
Are smart contracts smart enough? COVID-19, force majeure, blockchain and oracles
Ten due diligence keys to unlock value from your SaaS contract
Practical methods to assure payment and increase collection of accounts receivable during COVID-19
Business tips during the Coronavirus outbreak
Why service level agreements are key for provider longevity and customer satisfaction
Data in the cloud: What if the cloud provider goes bankrupt?
How to guarantee bad performance from your vendors
Private equity’s top ten issues for the next president
Technology companies: Are your employment policies due for a reboot?
Blogs
Refresher on Cybersecurity Resources for Health Care Entities
Mural copyrights: Yes, it’s a thing! Don’t end up with paint on your face
Supreme Court challenges privacy litigants to demonstrate Article III standing
Yet another Target settlement highlights data breach costs
Privacy and the Internet of Medical Things: What’s a curmudgeon to do?
Recent settlements highlight plaintiff pitfalls in data breach cases
2nd Circuit hears data breach argument: Is fear of harm sufficient for Article III standing?
Home Depot directors prevail in cybersecurity liability claim
Cybersecurity liability: Delaware has good news for directors
TCLEs
The Value of Cyber and Privacy Diligence
Dealing with Vendors and Data Security
You Don’t Know What You’re Missing: Motivating Performance Through Service Level Agreements
Publications
Lead author of the BNA, "Corporate Practice Series Portfolio Corporate Stock Repurchases and Going Private" (including ongoing updates)
Presentations
"The Law Surrounding Blockchain Technology";
Disrupt ICT Workshop, Wichita KS, June 13, 2018
Co-Presenter, "Investing in, Financing & Acquiring Tech Companies",
ACG Chicago, February 11, 2016
Co-Presenter, "Building, Monetizing & Protecting IP";
panel presentation, The Entrepreneurship Institute of Chicago President's Symposium at the University of Chicago Gleacher Center, October 6, 2015
Co-Presenter, "Perils and Opportunities in Going Private";
BNA Webinar, April 9, 2015
Co-Presenter, "Acquisitions of Distressed Businesses";
ACG Chicago, April 7, 2015