Skip to Main Content

Matthew T. "Matt"
Nelson

  • Partner
mnelson@wnj.com
Grand Rapids
T 616.752.2539
F 616.752.2500

My admin

My deep knowledge and ability to think strategically help me successfully position my clients to win in the appellate courts. I litigate matters adroitly because I can look down the road and anticipate legal moves from opposing counsel, see the big picture, break it all down and find new angles and innovative litigation strategies. This approach gives clients all the advantages and allows us to avoid pitfalls while pursuing and attaining their desired outcomes.

The recipient of numerous national and regional awards and with years of experience skillfully navigating high courts, Matt Nelson serves as a go-to appellate lawyer for clients who have major problems and very sophisticated issues. He represents clients throughout the country in a variety of venues, including the U.S. Supreme Court, the Michigan Supreme Court, other state supreme courts, various federal courts of appeals and the Michigan Court of Appeals. Matt routinely works with trial litigators on dispositive motions, motions in limine and preparing appellate strategies while a case is still in trial court.

industries

practices

  • Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians v. Patchak, 132 S. Ct. 2199 (2012): Obtained 8-1 decision in favor of client, defeating claims of the federal government that sovereign immunity defeated client’s challenge to government’s agency action and that client did not have prudential standing.
  • Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., 134 S. Ct. 2751 (2014): Submitted amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities supporting the successful religious employer.
  • Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church & School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 132 S. Ct. 694 (2012): Submitted amicus curiae briefs at the petition and merits stages on behalf
  • Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians v. Patchak, 132 S. Ct. 2199 (2012): Obtained 8-1 decision in favor of client, defeating claims of the federal government that sovereign immunity defeated client’s challenge to government’s agency action and that client did not have prudential standing.
  • Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., 134 S. Ct. 2751 (2014): Submitted amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities supporting the successful religious employer.
  • Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church & School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 132 S. Ct. 694 (2012): Submitted amicus curiae briefs at the petition and merits stages on behalf of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities supporting the successful religious employer.
  • Priority Health v. Commissioner of Office of Financial & Insurance Services, 489 Mich. 67, 802 N.W.2d 132 (2011): Persuaded the Michigan Supreme Court to overturn state agency ruling against a health maintenance organization.
  • Tomecek v. Bavas, 482 Mich. 484, 759 N.W.2d 178 (2008): Obtained 4-3 ruling favorable to clients in an easement dispute involving the Land Division Act.
  • O’Boyle v. Borough of Longport, 218 N.J. 168, 94 A.3d 299 (N.J. 2014): Submitted amicus curiae brief on behalf of DRI—The Voice of the Defense Bar successfully urging limited approach to waiver of work-product protection.
  • Oneida Charter Twp. v. City of Grand Ledge, 485 Mich 859, 771 N.W.2d 785 (2009): Retained to obtain review by the Michigan Supreme Court of a published Michigan Court of Appeals decision regarding municipal water-rate dispute; persuaded Court to grant peremptory reversal.
  • Winterhalter v. Dykhuis Farms, 2012 WL 2989238 (6th. Cir. July 23, 2012): Successfully argued for affirmance in an employment discrimination case.
  • Mallison v. Haworth, Inc., 2012 WL 2580609 (6th Cir. July 3, 2012): Obtained decision affirming district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the employer in an Equal Pay Act case.
  • Keiper, LLC v. Intier Automotive Inc., 2012 WL 833652 (6th Cir. Mar. 13, 2012): Successfully argued for reversal of summary judgment in a million-dollar automotive-supplier dispute.
  • Chen v. Dow Chemical Co., 580 F.3d 394 (6th Cir. 2009): Persuaded the Sixth Circuit to affirm summary judgment in favor of The Dow Chemical Company in an employment dispute.
  • Sherrills v. Beison, 242 Fed. App’x 332 (6th Cir. 2007): Defended summary judgment in favor of a hospital system on a former employee’s race discrimination and retaliation claims.
  • Canvasser Heritage, L.L.C. v. Fifth Third Bank, 2012 WL 5853896 (Mich. Ct. App. Nov. 15, 2012): Defended summary disposition in mortgage foreclosure case.
  • Thomas E. Woods v. JLG Industries, Inc., et al, 2011 WL 2342719 (Mich. Ct. App. June 14, 2011): Defended jury verdict in a commercial contract dispute.
  • Fifth Third Bank v. Canvasser, et al, 2011 WL 2347707 (Mich. Ct. App. June 14, 2011): Defended summary judgment in favor of bank in a mortgage case.
  • Denney v. Dow Chemical Co., 2011 WL 92964 (Mich. Ct. App. Jan. 11, 2011): Obtained summary disposition on former employee’s sex discrimination and retaliation claims and defended ruling on appeal.
  • Old Republic National Title Holding v. First Metropolitan Title, 2010 WL 1056609 (Mich. Ct. App. Mar. 23, 2010): Persuaded Michigan Court of Appeals to reverse summary disposition against client in a commercial contract dispute.
  • Foote v. Dow Chemical Co., 2010 WL 173777 (Mich. Ct. App. Jan. 19, 2010): Obtained summary disposition on former employee’s breach of contract and tortious interference claims and defended ruling on appeal.
  • Day v. HME Inc., 2007 WL 3120942 (Mich. Ct. App. Oct. 25, 2007): Obtained dismissal of former employee’s race-discrimination claims and, on appeal, obtained reversal of order denying sanctions against former employee for asserting frivolous claims.
  • Multiband Co. v. Block, 2012 WL 1843261 (E.D. Mich. May 12, 2012): Obtained order enforcing arbitration agreement in employment dispute and imposing Rule 11 sanctions.
  • Graham v. Access Business Group, LLC, 2011 WL 3758726 (W.D. Mich. Aug. 25, 2011): Obtained summary judgment on behalf of employer in a case involving FMLA retaliation and disability discrimination claims.
  • El Camino Resources, LTD. v. Huntington National Bank, 722 F. Supp. 2d 875 (W.D. Mich. 2010): Obtained summary judgment on behalf of bank in case arising from $100 million Ponzi scheme.

    Testimonials

    “Matt (Nelson) represented us on several very important litigation matters and also provided valuable advice on non-litigation matters. He was always very responsive to requests for assistance and was a clear communicator in all of his writings and conversations. Our litigation results with Matt were positive – they provided municipal officers the opportunity to effectively carry out their duties in a constitutionally and statutorily appropriate manner. Matt is an excellent attorney.” – Retired corporate counsel for a Michigan municipality

    Image for Matthew T. “Matt” Nelson

    Matthew T. "Matt"
    Nelson

    • Partner
    mnelson@wnj.com
    Grand Rapids
    T 616.752.2539
    F 616.752.2500

    My admin

    Biography|
    Credentials

    My deep knowledge and ability to think strategically help me successfully position my clients to win in the appellate courts. I litigate matters adroitly because I can look down the road and anticipate legal moves from opposing counsel, see the big picture, break it all down and find new angles and innovative litigation strategies. This approach gives clients all the advantages and allows us to avoid pitfalls while pursuing and attaining their desired outcomes.

    The recipient of numerous national and regional awards and with years of experience skillfully navigating high courts, Matt Nelson serves as a go-to appellate lawyer for clients who have major problems and very sophisticated issues. He represents clients throughout the country in a variety of venues, including the U.S. Supreme Court, the Michigan Supreme Court, other state supreme courts, various federal courts of appeals and the Michigan Court of Appeals. Matt routinely works with trial litigators on dispositive motions, motions in limine and preparing appellate strategies while a case is still in trial court.

    industries

    practices

      Testimonials

      “Matt (Nelson) represented us on several very important litigation matters and also provided valuable advice on non-litigation matters. He was always very responsive to requests for assistance and was a clear communicator in all of his writings and conversations. Our litigation results with Matt were positive – they provided municipal officers the opportunity to effectively carry out their duties in a constitutionally and statutorily appropriate manner. Matt is an excellent attorney.” – Retired corporate counsel for a Michigan municipality