Matthew Summers

Representing real estate developer Williams Homes in connection with noxious landfill odors from the Chiquita Canyon landfill that have devastated Williams Homes’ community Williams Ranch, a 497-home residential development in Santa Clarita, California. Thousands of related claims are pending in federal court.

Representing a consumer finance lender in litigation brought by multiple State Attorneys General related to the company’s lending practices.

Representing a social media company against claims that its platform is negligently designed and causes mental harm.

Represented Toll Brothers and its subsidiary, Porter Ranch Development Co., in litigation alleging malfeasance regarding the 2015 Aliso Canyon gas leak, the largest leak of natural gas in U.S. history. The parties ultimately reached a favorable settlement.

Representing a government defense contractor in response to a United States Department of Justice investigation and False Claims Act Civil Investigative Demand.

Representing a commercial property owner against suits related to the South Fire in San Bernadino County.

Represented a government defense contractor against claims of tortious interference related to the sale and environmental cleanup of a commercial property.

Represented Johnson & Johnson in multiple product liability trials relating to Johnson’s Baby Powder.

• Defended Johnson & Johnson against claims that plaintiff’s use of Johnson’s Baby Powder caused her to develop malignant mesothelioma. Achieved a complete defense verdict following a 10-week jury trial. Verdict was named a Top Defense Verdict for 2019 by the Daily Journal. Fong, et al. v. Johnson & Johnson, et al., BC675449 (L.A. County Sup. Ct., filed September 11 2017).
• Defended Johnson & Johnson against claims that plaintiff’s use of Johnson’s Baby Powder caused her to develop malignant mesothelioma. Achieved a complete defense verdict following a 6-week jury trial. Verdict was named a Top Defense Verdict for 2018 by the Daily Journal. Allen v. Brenntag North America Inc., et al., DR180132 (Humboldt County Sup. Ct., filed March 2, 2018).

Represented a financial services company against claims related to its voluntary cash sweep program.

Represented a wine and spirits distributor against claims related to price discrimination among its retail customers.

Represented a third-party proposition player services company and its owners in proceedings before the California Gambling Control Commission.

Represented the former shareholders of a technology company in a dispute related to the sale of the company and related litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery.

Represented a private equity fund in a dispute related to its sale of portfolio companies to a leading global franchising company.

Represented a mortgage servicing software company in responding to subpoenas issued pursuant to an FTC investigation and related administrative proceeding.

Represented a private equity firm against claims of tortious interference and violations of restrictions on transfer related to a lease of commercial property.

Represented a technology entrepreneur in an international securities fraud investigation and prosecution, and a related civil suit, arising out of the sale of his company to a well-known American multinational technology corporation.

Litigated two cases seeking advancement and indemnification of legal fees for civil litigation and government investigations.

Represented a seed manufacturer in multi-district litigation involving tens of thousands of class action and individual lawsuits brought by farmers and export companies alleging damages because of China’s non-approval of corn seeds for import.

Lead counsel in a lawsuit brought on behalf of vehicularly housed residents and taxpayers of the City of Fullerton, and Housing is a Human Right Orange County, challenging the legality of Chapter 8.46 of the Fullerton Municipal Code.

Lead counsel for an appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals involving violations of the client’s Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Achieved reversal of the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the opposing party on the Fourth Amendment claims. Recchia v. City of Los Angeles Dep’t of Animal Services, et al., 889 F.3d 553 (9th Cir. 2018).

Represented the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in its investigation of race-based policing practices of the Minneapolis Police Department in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.

Lead prosecution counsel for a misdemeanor criminal trial charging counts of concealing a firearm in a vehicle and possession of a controlled substance.

Lead prosecution counsel for a misdemeanor criminal trial charging one count of driving under the influence.