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Overview

Matt defends clients in complex asbestos litigation.

In toxic tort, persistence and experience matter—and Matt has both. He’s focused nearly all of his practice on asbestos since 2012, and he knows the Missouri and Illinois asbestos world inside and out. Over the years, Matt has represented manufacturers, industrial contractors, and premises owners in industries as diverse as automotive; downstream, midstream, and upstream oil and gas; chemical production and pharmaceutical; power generation; steel production; food and beverage; and waste management; among others. Today, he focuses primarily on high stakes asbestos litigation for a short list of major corporations and multinational conglomerates.

Based in our St. Louis office, Matt is highly experienced with litigating cases in some of the country’s most difficult jurisdictions for defendants. He has litigated regularly in Madison County, St. Clair County, McClean County, Cook County, and the City of St. Louis, and he has worked with each of the leading plaintiff firms in these places. Asbestos litigation is a tight-knit legal community, and Matt collaborates well with both opposing counsel and co-counsel—many of whom he’s known for years—to achieve the best results possible for clients. He knows how to adapt his strategy to differing plaintiff firms, differing clients, and differing cases.

Known as a highly efficient worker who never gives up on a case, Matt has a reputation as a deeply strategic thinker. Each matter warrants a customized strategy, and he works closely with clients to determine the best fit for their legal situation and business needs.

Industries

Services

Education

  • J.D., University of Missouri School of Law
    • The Journal of Dispute Resolution
  • B.A., University of Missouri-Columbia

Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Illinois
Experience
  • Managed full case dockets in mass tort, general tort, premises liability, and products liability matters.
  • Prepared responsive pleadings, taken hundreds of depositions, prepared dispositive motions, discovery requests and responses, and settlement authority requests.
  • Litigated cases in Missouri, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and California and pursued Sunshine Law requests in numerous states.
Outside the Office

Most of Matt’s free time is devoted to his wife and their two young children, with many weekends revolving around kids’ sports and other family activities. He also enjoys playing golf and is an avid college basketball fan—especially of his beloved Mizzou Tigers.

Community Leadership

Matt is the founder and administrator of the Watkins Family Scholarship at Smithton High School in Smithton, Missouri, a scholarship fund established in honor of his late mother, a former high school counselor. He has also served on the Sigma Pi (Gamma Sigma) Alumni Executive Board at the University of Missouri since 2015.