Matt Richards is a litigator who represents owners and general contractors in federal and state court construction litigation and in arbitration. He also has significant antitrust, bankruptcy and appellate experience.
I represent public entities, private owners, and general contractors in all phases of construction, from counseling and contract drafting through litigation of complex construction disputes. When litigation is required, I develop and implement case-specific strategies, from pre-litigation claims investigation through fact and expert discovery to trial and appeal.
My background and experience in bankruptcy and appellate work uniquely positions me to address two key ancillary issues that frequently confront my clients as litigation unfolds—dealing with insolvent adversaries and defending favorable rulings, judgments, and verdicts on appeal. Having also litigated construction defect, mechanic’s lien, contract, insurance, indemnification, and statute of limitation/statute of repose issues from all sides, I can effectively advise our clients to minimize their risk.
I litigate complex commercial matters in industries ranging from technology to logistics and insurance, and in a variety of practice areas, including antitrust, insurance, and trade secrets. I coordinate strategy for, handle administrative appeals regarding, and litigate all manner of FOIA and state public records act matters.
The construction industry is on the leading edge of significant structural changes that will fundamentally alter how services are delivered and projects are built. Strategic adoption of disruptive technologies (drones and 3-D printing, to name two high-profile examples) will give savvy owners and contractors alike advantages over less adaptive competitors. These new technologies will raise new legal issues as well, as the law evolves to meet the pace of change.
Bloomberg Law | February 25, 2020
This round-up of personnel moves in the legal industry features the selection of San Francisco Complex Commercial Disputes partner Matt Richards as Nixon Peabody’s new pro bono partner.
San Francisco Daily Journal | February 24, 2020
San Francisco Complex Commercial Disputes partner Matt Richards, who became the firm’s new pro bono partner on February 1, talks to the Daily Journal about his new role and the connections between pro bono and his day-to-day litigation practice.
The Recorder | February 21, 2020
The appointment of San Francisco Complex Commercial Disputes partner Matt Richards to pro bono partner is included in this roundup of notable executive news.
Law360 | January 14, 2019
San Francisco Complex Commercial Disputes partner Matt Richards is quoted in this story about Nixon Peabody’s representation of Human Rights Watch in a pro bono lawsuit seeking detained immigrant transfer records from ICE. San Francisco Complex Commercial Disputes associate Will Lisa is also mentioned.
Law360 | March 25, 2018
San Francisco commercial litigation partner Matt Richards and associate Christina Fletes are mentioned in this article for representing pro bono client Human Rights Watch in a FOIA dispute with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D., cum laude (Order of the Coif; Thurston Society; Editor-in-Chief, Hastings International & Comparative Law Review)
University of California, Berkeley, B.A.with distinction in general scholarship
California
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
Matt has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by the publishers of the 2013 and 2014 Northern California Super Lawyers magazine. Inclusion in Super Lawyers is based on a peer-review survey.
He has been recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2019 editorial for Real estate—Construction (including construction litigation).
Matt is the pro bono partner for the firm’s San Francisco office, and was the 2017 Nixon Peabody Pro Bono Attorney of the Year.
His pro bono work includes successful representation of numerous clients seeking asylum in both affirmative applications and adversary proceedings; handling numerous Freedom of Information Act administrative appeals and U.S. District Court litigation for a renowned international human rights organization; successfully helping refugees from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria resettle in safe third countries in partnership with the International Refugee Assistance Program; and bringing suit against the Idaho Department of Corrections in U.S. District Court on behalf of a transgender inmate denied medically necessary treatment for gender dysphoria.