About Us – Professional Details
Matthew J.
Wurdeman
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
Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ): 2020 New Lawyer Award "Ready to Soar"
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
Confidential Plaintiff vs. Confidential Defendant (2020)
- Obtained a $2.75 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit arising out of a motor vehicle accident in which the decedent survived for an undetermined amount of time before succumbing to their injuries
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
McKay v. Confidential (2020)
- Obtained at-fault and UIM policy-limit policies totaling $300,000 for the passenger in a rear-end collision in California
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