Overview

With more than a decade of experience, including two years at California’s highest court, Matthew Adler is a trusted advocate and counselor who represents companies in the retail, technology, insurance, automotive, construction and telecommunications industries in complex commercial litigation and putative class actions. He is known to be a persuasive writer and even-keeled problem-solver who provides practical, cost-effective solutions for his clients.

Class Action Litigation

Matt has litigated numerous class actions, in state and federal court, involving claims of false advertising, fraud, breach of contract, breach of warranty, and alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and of California’s consumer protection statutes, the Unfair Competition Law (UCL), the False Advertising Law (FAL), and the Consumers Legal Remedies Act (CLRA). He has also defended clients facing putative class actions and government enforcement suits alleging violations of California’s Automatic Renewal Law (ARL). Matt represents businesses at all stages of litigation, and, when appropriate, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings including arbitrations and mediations. He is particularly skilled in drafting compelling motions to dismiss, motions to compel arbitration, motions for summary judgment, and appellate briefs that aim to not only persuade the reader but also to concisely demystify even the most complex of topics.

Automatic Renewal Law Counseling and Consumer Contracts

Matt regularly advises clients on proactive risk-mitigation strategies that may help to avoid litigation, with a focus on enhancing compliance in the rapidly developing area of automatic renewal laws. He drafts consumer contract provisions to increase their enforceability and clarity, and he helps clients develop subscription programs with the disclosures, consent procedures, post-sale acknowledgments, renewal reminders, and cancellation processes required by the patchwork of federal and state laws that regulate automatically-renewing contracts.

Prior Experience

Before joining the firm, Matt spent two years as a staff attorney for the Supreme Court of California. While in law school, he served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Kathryn M. Werdegar, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of California.

Personal Interests

Outside the office, Matt is passionate about music, from playing the piano to collecting vinyl records to attending concerts large and small. He and his wife also love to explore the Bay Area’s newest restaurants and historic movie theaters.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

California

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

Education

University of San Francisco School of Law
J.D. magna cum laude, USF Law Review - Staff Member (2010)

University of California, Berkeley
B.A. in Psychology (2004)

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives

Firm Blog Contributions

  • TCPA Blog – a resource analyzing TCPA-related litigation and regulatory developments

Leadership & Community

Pro Bono

Matt enjoys providing pro bono legal representation for those who need it most. Most recently, he has served as lead counsel in an immigration case and obtained asylum for a mother and son who were seeking refuge in the United States after experiencing decades of domestic violence in El Salvador.

Firm Leadership

  • Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP — Associates Committee, 2014–17

Honors

  • Best Lawyers® — "Ones to Watch," Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, 2023-25; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2023-25
  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020