Matt’s practice focuses primarily on cases involving medical malpractice, civil rights, personal injury, and wrongful death. Before joining Connelly Law Offices, Matt worked as a law clerk for Chief Justice Barbara Madsen of the Washington Supreme Court and the Honorable John C. Coughenour at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Matt worked with developmentally disabled adults in San Diego, was a hiking and sea kayak guide in Alaska, taught English in Mexico and Korea, was a mountain bike instructor and camp director in Switzerland, and taught high school science and math in Bellingham. He also founded a theatre company in Korea.

In his free time, Matt enjoys mountain biking, fishing, and backpacking with his three rescued coonhounds, Daisy May, Olivander, and Georgia Fawkes.

EDUCATION

JD – University of Washington, 2015

• Order of the Coif, Order of the Barristers, Commencement Speaker, Washington Law Review, Moot Court Honor Board, AAJ National Mock Trial Team, Innocence Project NW President

BA , Drama and History – The Colorado College, 2001

ADMISSIONS

Washington State Courts

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

MEMBERSHIPS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Foundation for Washington State Courts, Board Member

University of Washington Moot Court Honor Board Alumni Advisory Board, Board Member

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project – Providing pro bono attorney representation to detained asylum seekers

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association:

2018 Community Service Award: For exemplary service as a TPCBA member who volunteers his time in both legal and non-legal community service to improve the circumstances of others.

American Institute of Trial Lawyers:

• Top 40 Under 40

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

Woodring-Thueson v. University of Washington (2018) WL -------- (Wash.Super.)

• $25.3 million jury verdict for woman who experienced delay in diagnosis of basilar artery occlusion after being admitted to Harborview Medical Center

Confidential Plaintiffs v. Confidential Hospital and Confidential Anesthesiology Group (2020)

• Obtained a $8.25 million settlement for the family of a 28-year-old woman who died from a postpartum hemorrhage following a Caesarian section

Pope v. United States (2020)

• Obtained a $4.5 settlement on behalf of a woman who suffered bilateral phrenic nerve injury during a mediastinal mass removal, and required mechanical ventilation for the rest of her life

Estate of E.K. v. Confidential Defendant (2020)

• Obtained a $2,000,000 policy limits settlement on behalf of the family of a young man who drowned during a camp activity

T.W. v. Boys and Girls Club (2018)

• $1.5 million jury verdict for client who was sexually assaulted by staff members at the Boys and Girls Club

Fox v. Reality Management, LLC (2019)

• Obtained a $375,000 settlement for a woman who broken her leg in several places as a result of a noncompliant premises

Tyson v. Confidential Hospital (2019)

• Obtained a $300,000 settlement for a man who suffered a severe kidney injury as a result of medical malpractice

Harper v. PEMCO and Ameriprise (2018):

• Obtained policy limits of $200,000 between 3rd party insurer and UIM insurer in a motor vehicle accident claim

PUBLICATIONS

It Needs to Be Done: Representing a Refugee, Published in Trial News March 2019

Loss-of-Chance Doctrine in Washington: From Herskovits to Mohr and the need for clarification, 89 Wash. L. Rev. 603 (2014)

MATTHEW IN THE NEWS

Unchained: Asylum cases underscore importance of pro bono work