Matthew J. Thomas

Matthew was previously a partner at another major law firm in Chicago.

• Benchmark Litigation – Litigation Star (since 2024) 
• Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America (since 2024)
• The Legal 500 United States – Dispute Resolution - General Commercial Disputes (since 2023)
• The Legal 500 United States – Labor and Employment - ERISA Litigation (2024)

Some of Matthew's recent representations include*:

• Representation of a manufacturer in a series of federal jury trials in New York relating to contractual environmental liabilities, leading to recoveries of more than $325 million.
• Representation of an international manufacturer in five separate confidential ICC arbitrations against another international manufacturer, each case involving significant claims arising out of a set of commercial agreements related to the parties’ $5 billion transaction.
• Representation of a leading financial services company in a breach of fiduciary duty trial in federal court in Florida.
• Representation of a global chemical producer in a federal jury trial in Nevada in connection with multimillion-dollar claims arising out of equipment breakdowns at a manufacturing facility.
• Representation of an international manufacturer in a confidential ICC Arbitration in Paris, France relating to a dispute over large-scale supply contracts that involve manufacturing facilities in multiple European countries.
• Representation of a large financial institution in actions in Illinois, California and Kansas concerning the sales of hundreds of millions of dollars of residential mortgage-backed securities. 
• Representation of a leading designer of automated guidance vehicle systems in Delaware state court and in a confidential arbitration involving a dispute related to a large-scale contract to design, develop and install automated, driverless forklift systems in multiple warehouse facilities.
• Representation of a leading chlorine producer in a $3.5 billion dispute in federal court in Texas related to the pricing mechanism in a long-term sales contract where the price was tied to a third-party index.
• Representation of an international manufacturer in a jury trial involving trade secret and Lanham Act claims in Oklahoma federal court.
• Representation of several large employers in ERISA putative class action lawsuits pending in federal court in New York, Illinois and Missouri.
• Representation of a global lessor of transportation assets in a multi-party indemnification dispute pending in Illinois state court.
• Representation of a global chemical company in a more than $100 million arbitration concerning a dispute over a long-term supply agreement.
• Representation of a leading bleach producer in a case pending in federal court in Florida arising out of a long-term sales contract. 
• Representation of a military vehicle component supplier in a multimillion-dollar confidential arbitration in Michigan concerning significant development, supply and royalty agreements.
• Representation of a large manufacturer in a multimillion-dollar action in Delaware Chancery Court concerning allegations of fraud and breach of representations and warranties in connection with the purchase of a business.
• Representation of a large information systems company in a $500 million federal lawsuit in Maryland involving claims arising out of a series of agreements to construct a satellite system.
• Representation of a defense contractor in a $275 million international arbitration involving a contract dispute with a supplier.
• Representation of several entities in an Illinois state court action brought by a participant lender relating to the servicing and restructuring of more than $100 million of loans secured by a portfolio of commercial real estate properties.
• Representation of an aircraft manufacturer in a $50 million breach of contract lawsuit in federal court in Illinois in connection with an agreement for the sale of business jet aircraft.
• Representation of a commercial lender in an arbitration proceeding against a large bank regarding a dispute over a shortfall in collateral in connection with a multi-billion dollar real estate financing structure secured by a portfolio of New York high rise office buildings.
• Representation of large broadcasting company in a multi-million dollar lawsuit in Illinois state court involving claims of breach of contract and defamation.

* Matthew advised on these matters prior to joining Willkie.