Highly strategic and results-oriented advocates committed to excellence in client service.

Matthew J. Fischer

Partner ( Chicago | Los Angeles / Irvine )

Direct 312.471.8710 LinkedIn

Bio

In light of his output, there are people who believe that Matt Fischer has a secret clone for whom the term “multi-tasking” was invented. Others claim he’s the virtual eye of the storm, that calm and rational center where order is pulled out of chaos. So, although there is some disagreement about the exact nature of his superpowers, most agree that he has a few.

Thanks to his calm demeanor and dogged work ethic, Matt has often been called upon to resolve cases under difficult and challenging circumstances. In the courtroom and at the negotiation table, he is known for being courteous and professional and as relentless as waves pounding against a beach.

Matt understands that the path to a favorable resolution requires a formidable defense. He is a strong advocate for early and effective resolution backed by a credible and effective trial option. Clients and opponents both recognize his steadfast and powerful approach. He is frequently called upon by in-house counsel to partner with them on the design, coordination, and implementation of national strategies, including as a first chair trial lawyer and appellate advocate all with an eye towards the budgeting and management of defense costs. Matt’s “go bag” is always packed so he can reliably be wherever his clients need him. This unique combination of skills has led clients to ask Matt to prepare and defend their C-suite executives, key employees, and corporate representatives at trial and deposition.

Well-versed and experienced in the field of alternative dispute resolution, Matt has served as an American Arbitration Association arbitrator. He has crafted creative, positive, and workable settlement agreements, sometimes as specially retained settlement counsel, even after a long and difficult litigation process has made settlement unlikely.
 

Experience

Clerkships

Hon. John A. Nordberg, United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois (1994-1995)

Credentials

Education

University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1994, with honors, Order of the Coif, Contributing Editor, Michigan Law Review, Moot Court Semi­ Finalist

University of Illinois at Urbana­ Champaign, B.S., Finance, 1989, with honors

Bar Admissions

California
Illinois
Missouri
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin

Honors & Awards

The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers® (Appellate Practice and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions-Defendants, 2012-2025)
Chicago Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions-Defendants “Lawyer of the Year,”  Best Lawyers® (2013, 2018, 2020)
Illinois Leading Lawyer, Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyers (2011-2024)
Illinois Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters (2011-2013, 2015-2024)
Best Attorneys in Chicago, The Chicago Tribune (2014)

Publications & Presentations

“Episode 8: What is Going on out There? A Chat with a National Trial Attorney,” (guest speaker) COVID-19’s impact on the state of national litigation and trial practice, Schulwolf Mediation Podcast (October 8, 2020) 
“The Minimum Threshold Exposure,” Perrin Asbestos Litigation Conference: A National Overview and Outlook in San Francisco (September 2014)
“Secondary Exposure and Take Home Exposure Cases,” Harris Martin's Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference (September 2010)
“Corporate Witnesses and Corporate Discovery,” Mealey's Practical Skills Series: Toxic Tort Litigation (September 2003)
Numerous CLE Presentations to In-house Legal Departments.