Matthew Donald Umhofer, Partner
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor Georgetown University Law Center, 1999 cum laude
Bachelor of Arts, University of Notre Dame, 1994 magna cum laud
CLERKSHIPS
Honorable Ferdinand F. Fernandez, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2001 to 2002
Honorable Lowell A. Reed, Jr., United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1999 to 2001
BAR ADMISSIONS
State of California
Washington, D.C.
HIGHLIGHTS
Assistant United States Attorney, Los Angeles, 2002 to 2007
President, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, 2000 to present
First Inductee into the Law Rocks Hall of Fame (performed 2010-2021, raised more than $100,000 for charity)
Secured a federal trial victory on behalf of a minority shareholder in a breach of fiduciary duty and corporate waste case involving a $250 million company. The jury found the controlling shareholders, board members, and officers liable, and awarded over $21 million in damages … and counting.
Won appeal under the Texas’s Anti-SLAPP statute, convincing the appellate court reverse and dismiss claims for breach of contract, tortious interference, and civil conspiracy.
Represented multiple former employees of a leading social media company in months-long federal criminal investigation, secured immunity for client.
Granted restraining order against internet stalker at contested hearing after monthslong campaign of harassment, intimidation, threats, and doxxing.
Major civil case against Planned Parenthood dismissed following motions to dismiss. Center for Medical Progress et al. v. Xavier Becerra et al., Case No. 3:20-cv-07978.
Negotiated settlement on behalf of former congressman in long-running, hotly contested litigation involving donations to a university.
Local counsel in several multi-district cases involving (i) complex billion-dollar healthcare fraud scheme; (ii) patent infringement, and (iii) theft of trade secrets.
Conducted internal investigation for educational institution grappling with allegations of fraud involving federal programs.
HONORS & RECOGNITION
Law.com Elite Trial Lawyers: Civil Rights/Discrimination 2026
Chambers USA Guide Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations 2025 and 2026
Los Angeles Magazine Best of LA Legal Personal Injury Litigation: Plaintiffs and Best of LA Legal Criminal Defense: White Collar 2026
Best Lawyers Best Lawyers in America 2025 and 2026
Legal 500 Los Angeles Elite for Work in White-Collar Crime 2026
Doyle’s Guide Leading White Collar Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers 2026
Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators 2026
Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America 2026
Lawdragon 500 Global Plaintiff Lawyer 2026
Lawdragon 500 Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyers 2024 through 2026
California Legal Awards Community Advocacy and Impact Initiative 2026
Super Lawyers Top Rated Attorney 2014 through 2026
Daily Journal Top Plaintiff Lawyers 2025
Daily Journal California Lawyer Attorney of the Year Award 2012 and 2024
Los Angeles Business Journal Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys 2025 and Leaders of Influence: Nonprofit and Philanthropy 2024
Pasadena Magazine Pasadena Top Attorneys 2024
Los Angeles Magazine Top Attorneys in Southern California 2024
Matthew is an ex-federal prosecutor and former Skadden Arps attorney who has tried federal and state cases and argued complex appeals for more than two decades.
He won the prestigious California Lawyer Attorney of the Year Award in 2024 for his work on a groundbreaking homelessness case that secured $4 billion, 20,000 new beds, and dramatic increases in mental health and substance use disorder services for those struggling on the streets of Los Angeles. In 2013, he won the same award for successfully defending Planned Parenthood in a $600 million False Claims Act case.
Matthew thrives on handling challenging matters. Helping clients navigate rough waters. Finding creative ways to solve complicated legal problems. Trying hard cases. In criminal and civil cases alike, Matthew has developed an impressive record:
In July 2024, Matthew led the UMK team to a federal trial win in a breach of fiduciary duty & corporate waste case involving a $250 million company—all controlling shareholders, board members, and officers found liable, $21 million in damages ... and counting.
Trial counsel for victims of embezzlement in FINRA arbitration against financial institution—case settled in victims’ favor after one week of trial.
Won $8 million arbitration award in legal malpractice case against prominent Los Angeles law firm.
Secured no-jail sentence for defendant in a $30 million health care fraud case.
Trial counsel for victims of embezzlement in FINRA arbitration against financial institution—case settled in victims’ favor after one week of trial.
Lead trial counsel for CFO of school district, secured multi-million verdict in whistleblower trial.
Closed out SEC investigation of tech company executive for insider trading—no charges brought.
Counsel for director of nursing, secured dismissal of criminal charges based on prosecutorial misconduct and failure to disclose exculpatory evidence.
Trial counsel for clean energy technology executive in complex trade secret arbitration.
Launched major civil fraud case against executives of leading jury consulting firm.
Successfully sought prosecution of personal assistant for embezzling millions from high-net-worth client.
Conducted internal investigations for Los Angeles County Bar Association, $100 million company under scrutiny for PPP loans.
Won dismissal of over $800 million in False Claims Act cases brought against Planned Parenthood.
You can hear Matthew in action here at 12:54, and watch him here, here, and here at 13:05.
In his spare time, Matthew swims in the ocean, plays guitar, and sings—none of which he does particularly effectively. His two teenage daughters occasionally tolerate him.
“You scare me.”