Lewis Brisbois is pleased to welcome Matthew D. Taggart to its Los Angeles office as a partner in its Complex Business & Commercial Litigation, National Trial, Labor & Employment, Class Action, and Antitrust & Competition Practices. Mr. Taggart joins Lewis Brisbois from Haliburton International Foods, Inc., where he served as Vice President and General Counsel. Prior to his tenure with Haliburton, Mr. Taggart practiced with a prestigious Los Angeles-based national law firm and two Washington D.C.-based national firms.
An AV-rated attorney with more than 17 years of experience representing corporations and individuals in complex federal and state court litigation, Mr. Taggart has tried several cases to judgment in federal and state courts. As a first chair trial lawyer, he has handled matters across several areas, including contracts, real estate, torts, employment, tax, criminal law, and securities.
In addition to his extensive trial experience, Mr. Taggart has secured appellate victories in the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits, as well as in the California Court of Appeal. He also has argued before the Ninth Circuit on three separate occasions.
“I am thrilled to have joined Lewis Brisbois. The firm has a tremendous platform, and I think it’s a great fit for me,” Mr. Taggart said.
Los Angeles Partner and national Co-Chair of Lewis Brisbois’ Complex Business & Commercial Litigation and White Collar Defense Practices Craig Holden expressed enthusiasm regarding Mr. Taggart’s arrival, noting “We’re excited Matt is joining our group. His litigation and transactional capabilities across several disciplines enhances our depth of experience for our business services group and our clients. We look forward to working with him.”
Likewise, Sacramento Managing Partner and Co-Chair of Lewis Brisbois’ Complex Business & Commercial Litigation Practice John S. Poulos stated, “Matt has an impressive track record in both his trial and appellate work. We are happy to have him on board, and we look forward to his contributions, which we expect will greatly enhance the overall capabilities of our practice.”
Significantly, Mr. Taggart has handled more than 50 employment lawsuits, including wage and hour class actions, representative actions under California’s Private Attorneys General Act, as well as individual claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and failure to pay overtime.
Outside of his civil practice, Mr. Taggart has tried several criminal cases for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office as a 2010 graduate of the Trial Advocacy Project (TAP). He also has received extensive trial training through the NITA Trial Skills program.
A graduate of University of California’s Berkeley School of Law, Mr. Taggart received a Master of Arts from New York University. He is admitted to practice in California’s federal and state courts, the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Tax Court.
