Matthew is a trial attorney representing corporations and employers in business, commercial, and health care disputes. He represents clients in business disputes that involve, among other issues, breach of contract claims, shareholder disputes, and other complex commercial matters. He has tried cases to verdict, has defended one of the nation’s largest long-term care providers, and has represented assisted living facilities across the country. Matthew is a strategic thinker and relies on his experiences in both law and business to achieve the best results possible for his clients.
Before joining Cozen O’Connor, Matthew was integral in the launch of early stage businesses, where he negotiated licensing agreements in developing technologies. He previously served as the vice president of business development for a Pittsburgh-based software company where he worked with athletic conference presidents and university athletic directors to launch the first-ever college football instant replay system. He negotiated and completed a multi-year contract with the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for the adoption of instant replay. Matthew also served as vice president of business and legal affairs for an Internet media and technology company, where he negotiated several of the first Internet movie distribution agreements in 1999. Matthew went on to successfully negotiate more than 300 other license agreements with copyright owners for the rental and sale of digital rights-managed movies via Internet distribution. In that role, Matthew frequently worked with major movie studios and premium cable television networks. He also represented the company at national and international motion picture and television licensing events, including the American Film Market (AFM), the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE), Mifed International Film Market (MIFED), and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Matthew was frequently called upon to discuss the legal, business, and technology issues involved in the distribution of movies via the Internet.
Matthew also has a deep understanding of closely held business ventures, having previously worked for several years at his family-owned insurance agency, founded in 1960 by his father, James L. Smith, Jr. Matthew is also the co-owner and co-founder of Olive or Twist, a restaurant/bar in the heart of Pittsburgh's Cultural District, established in 2001.
Matthew earned his bachelor's degree from Villanova University and his law degree from Duquesne University School of Law.