Matthew B. Lerner
Partner
201 17th Street NW
Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA 30363
Matthew B. Lerner is a partner in the Atlanta office and a seasoned products liability defense lawyer with more than 25 years of experience representing manufacturers in complex, high-stakes litigation. His national practice focuses on products liability, mass tort, medical device, and pharmaceutical litigation, including major multidistrict litigation (MDL) proceedings and coordinated litigation in...
Matthew B. Lerner is a partner in the Atlanta office and a seasoned products liability defense lawyer with more than 25 years of experience representing manufacturers in complex, high-stakes litigation. His national practice focuses on products liability, mass tort, medical device, and pharmaceutical litigation, including major multidistrict litigation (MDL) proceedings and coordinated litigation in state and federal courts across the country.
Matthew was selected as the 2027 Georgia Products Liability Attorney of the Year by The Products Liability Lawyers, recognizing his experience and work defending manufacturers in significant products liability matters.
Over the course of his career, Matthew has been involved in numerous MDLs and other large-scale mass tort proceedings, often serving as part of national coordinating counsel teams responsible for developing and implementing litigation strategy across substantial portfolios of individual cases. His work has included developing overarching defense themes and strategies, coordinating fact and expert discovery, preparing corporate witnesses and executives for deposition and trial, briefing and arguing significant motions, and working with national trial teams as cases progress toward bellwether and individual trials.
Matthew has extensive experience as part of trial teams in products liability cases across the United States, with significant involvement in trial preparation, witness and expert development, and the presentation of complex defenses. That experience gives him a practical perspective on how decisions made during discovery, corporate witness preparation, expert development, and pretrial motion practice ultimately affect the presentation of a case to a jury. He works closely with experts, company witnesses, and in-house legal teams to develop defenses that are both legally sound and persuasive in the courtroom.
He also has extensive experience managing electronic discovery in complex litigation. Matthew has directed e-discovery strategy and implementation in matters involving substantial volumes of electronically stored information, including the development of defensible and efficient approaches to preservation, collection, review, and production. He has written on developments in electronic discovery for the Defense Research Institute’s E-Discovery Connection and co-authored an article for the American Bar Association’s Product Liability Newsletter addressing proactive strategies for preventing and defending products liability claims.
Throughout his practice, Matthew has worked closely with in-house counsel to address not only the demands of individual cases, but also the broader strategic, operational, and reputational considerations presented by nationwide litigation. His combination of more than 25 years of experience, extensive involvement in mass tort and MDL proceedings, and substantial trial-team experience enables him to help manufacturers develop and execute coordinated defenses to significant litigation risks.
Matthew earned his J.D., with high honors, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he was inducted into The Order of the Coif and served as a senior editor of the Florida Law Review. He received his B.A. in Political Science and Legal Studies, summa cum laude, from the University of Central Florida.
state and federal courts across the country.
Matthew was selected as the 2027 Georgia Products Liability Attorney of the Year by The Products Liability Lawyers, recognizing his experience and work defending manufacturers in significant products liability matters.
Over the course of his career, Matthew has been involved in numerous MDLs and other large-scale mass tort proceedings, often serving as part of national coordinating counsel teams responsible for developing and implementing litigation strategy across substantial portfolios of individual cases. His work has included developing overarching defense themes and strategies, coordinating fact and expert discovery, preparing corporate witnesses and executives for deposition and trial, briefing and arguing significant motions, and working with national trial teams as cases progress toward bellwether and individual trials.
Matthew has extensive experience as part of trial teams in products liability cases across the United States, with significant involvement in trial preparation, witness and expert development, and the presentation of complex defenses. That experience gives him a practical perspective on how decisions made during discovery, corporate witness preparation, expert development, and pretrial motion practice ultimately affect the presentation of a case to a jury. He works closely with experts, company witnesses, and in-house legal teams to develop defenses that are both legally sound and persuasive in the courtroom.
He also has extensive experience managing electronic discovery in complex litigation. Matthew has directed e-discovery strategy and implementation in matters involving substantial volumes of electronically stored information, including the development of defensible and efficient approaches to preservation, collection, review, and production. He has written on developments in electronic discovery for the Defense Research Institute’s E-Discovery Connection and co-authored an article for the American Bar Association’s Product Liability Newsletter addressing proactive strategies for preventing and defending products liability claims.
Throughout his practice, Matthew has worked closely with in-house counsel to address not only the demands of individual cases, but also the broader strategic, operational, and reputational considerations presented by nationwide litigation. His combination of more than 25 years of experience, extensive involvement in mass tort and MDL proceedings, and substantial trial-team experience enables him to help manufacturers develop and execute coordinated defenses to significant litigation risks.
Matthew earned his J.D., with high honors, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he was inducted into The Order of the Coif and served as a senior editor of the Florida Law Review. He received his B.A. in Political Science and Legal Studies, summa cum laude, from the University of Central Florida.
Experience
Professional Experience
Products Liability & Mass Tort Defense
Matthew excels in defending manufacturers against complex products liability claims, with particular emphasis on medical device and pharmaceutical litigation. His experience includes serving on trial teams across multiple jurisdictions including Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Expert Witness & Motion Practice
Matthew brings extensive experience in witness examination and motion practice, having deposed numerous plaintiffs, experts, and fact witnesses while developing defense experts across all litigation types. He regularly argues dispositive motions and prepares corporate representatives, including 30(b)(6) witnesses, for testimony at both deposition and trial.
Electronic Discovery Leadership
Matthew has assisted with developing and implementing strategic approaches to electronic discovery in mass tort litigation. He has navigated complex issues related to preservation, collection, production, confidentiality, and privilege in large-scale matters, ensuring efficiency and compliance throughout the discovery process.
Business Litigation & Intellectual Property Protection
Beyond products liability, Matthew has successfully handled business disputes and protected the trademark rights of corporate clients by obtaining injunctions against infringing activities, demonstrating his versatility as a commercial litigator.
Representative Matters
- Successfully defended high-stakes products liability cases in federal and state courts across the country
- Served as key member of coordinating counsel team in several medical device MDLs, developing overall strategies and managing all phases of litigation
- Successfully argued dispositive motions in complex products liability matters
- Prepared and defended corporate executives for deposition and trial testimony
- Led electronic discovery strategy and implementation for numerous large-scale mass tort litigations
- Obtained injunctions protecting corporate clients' trademark rights
Firm Leadership
- Chair, Non-Equity Partner Committee, Nelson Mullins
- Former Chair, Associates Committee, Nelson Mullins
- Contributed to the Firm’s strategic direction and attorney development initiatives
Client Approach
Matthew works alongside in-house counsel as a strategic partner, combining thorough preparation and pragmatic analysis to develop effective defense strategies tailored to each client's business objectives. His experience managing complex litigation across multiple jurisdictions allows him to anticipate challenges and efficiently allocate resources for optimal results.
Education
-
University of Florida Levin College of Law,
JD,
with high honors
- The Order of the Coif
- Senior Editor of the Florida Law Review
- University of Central Florida, BA, Political Science and Legal Studies, summa cum laude
Admissions
- Georgia
- Florida
Practice Areas
Professional Experience
Products Liability & Mass Tort Defense
Matthew excels in defending manufacturers against complex products liability claims, with particular emphasis on medical device and pharmaceutical litigation. His experience includes serving on trial teams across multiple jurisdictions including Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Expert Witness & Motion Practice
Matthew brings extensive experience in witness examination and motion practice, having deposed numerous plaintiffs, experts, and fact witnesses while developing defense experts across all litigation types. He regularly argues dispositive motions and prepares corporate representatives, including 30(b)(6) witnesses, for testimony at both deposition and trial.
Electronic Discovery Leadership
Matthew has assisted with developing and implementing strategic approaches to electronic discovery in mass tort litigation. He has navigated complex issues related to preservation, collection, production, confidentiality, and privilege in large-scale matters, ensuring efficiency and compliance throughout the discovery process.
Business Litigation & Intellectual Property Protection
Beyond products liability, Matthew has successfully handled business disputes and protected the trademark rights of corporate clients by obtaining injunctions against infringing activities, demonstrating his versatility as a commercial litigator.
Representative Matters
- Successfully defended high-stakes products liability cases in federal and state courts across the country
- Served as key member of coordinating counsel team in several medical device MDLs, developing overall strategies and managing all phases of litigation
- Successfully argued dispositive motions in complex products liability matters
- Prepared and defended corporate executives for deposition and trial testimony
- Led electronic discovery strategy and implementation for numerous large-scale mass tort litigations
- Obtained injunctions protecting corporate clients' trademark rights
Firm Leadership
- Chair, Non-Equity Partner Committee, Nelson Mullins
- Former Chair, Associates Committee, Nelson Mullins
- Contributed to the Firm’s strategic direction and attorney development initiatives
Client Approach
Matthew works alongside in-house counsel as a strategic partner, combining thorough preparation and pragmatic analysis to develop effective defense strategies tailored to each client's business objectives. His experience managing complex litigation across multiple jurisdictions allows him to anticipate challenges and efficiently allocate resources for optimal results.
Media
Recognitions
- 2027 Georgia Products Liability Attorney of the Year, The Products Liability Lawyers
- Selected as a "Super Lawyers - Rising Star" by Law & Politics magazine (now Thomson Reuters) (2010-2011)
- Received the inaugural Nelson Mullins' Renaissance Associate Award, an award presented to one associate firmwide who demonstrates achievement in client service, training, pro bono, marketing, recruiting, and productivity
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- Georgia Bar Association
- Florida Bar Association
- Atlanta Bar Association
- DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar
Leadership
- Past Chair, Nelson Mullins Non-Equity Partners Committee
- Past Chair, Nelson Mullins Associates Committee
Matthew B. Lerner is a partner in the Atlanta office and a seasoned products liability defense lawyer with more than 25 years of experience representing manufacturers in complex, high-stakes litigation. His national practice focuses on products liability, mass tort, medical device, and pharmaceutical litigation, including major multidistrict litigation (MDL) proceedings and coordinated litigation in... state and federal courts across the country.
Matthew was selected as the 2027 Georgia Products Liability Attorney of the Year by The Products Liability Lawyers, recognizing his experience and work defending manufacturers in significant products liability matters.
Over the course of his career, Matthew has been involved in numerous MDLs and other large-scale mass tort proceedings, often serving as part of national coordinating counsel teams responsible for developing and implementing litigation strategy across substantial portfolios of individual cases. His work has included developing overarching defense themes and strategies, coordinating fact and expert discovery, preparing corporate witnesses and executives for deposition and trial, briefing and arguing significant motions, and working with national trial teams as cases progress toward bellwether and individual trials.
Matthew has extensive experience as part of trial teams in products liability cases across the United States, with significant involvement in trial preparation, witness and expert development, and the presentation of complex defenses. That experience gives him a practical perspective on how decisions made during discovery, corporate witness preparation, expert development, and pretrial motion practice ultimately affect the presentation of a case to a jury. He works closely with experts, company witnesses, and in-house legal teams to develop defenses that are both legally sound and persuasive in the courtroom.
He also has extensive experience managing electronic discovery in complex litigation. Matthew has directed e-discovery strategy and implementation in matters involving substantial volumes of electronically stored information, including the development of defensible and efficient approaches to preservation, collection, review, and production. He has written on developments in electronic discovery for the Defense Research Institute’s E-Discovery Connection and co-authored an article for the American Bar Association’s Product Liability Newsletter addressing proactive strategies for preventing and defending products liability claims.
Throughout his practice, Matthew has worked closely with in-house counsel to address not only the demands of individual cases, but also the broader strategic, operational, and reputational considerations presented by nationwide litigation. His combination of more than 25 years of experience, extensive involvement in mass tort and MDL proceedings, and substantial trial-team experience enables him to help manufacturers develop and execute coordinated defenses to significant litigation risks.
Matthew earned his J.D., with high honors, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he was inducted into The Order of the Coif and served as a senior editor of the Florida Law Review. He received his B.A. in Political Science and Legal Studies, summa cum laude, from the University of Central Florida.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Professional Experience
Products Liability & Mass Tort Defense
Matthew excels in defending manufacturers against complex products liability claims, with particular emphasis on medical device and pharmaceutical litigation. His experience includes serving on trial teams across multiple jurisdictions including Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Expert Witness & Motion Practice
Matthew brings extensive experience in witness examination and motion practice, having deposed numerous plaintiffs, experts, and fact witnesses while developing defense experts across all litigation types. He regularly argues dispositive motions and prepares corporate representatives, including 30(b)(6) witnesses, for testimony at both deposition and trial.
Electronic Discovery Leadership
Matthew has assisted with developing and implementing strategic approaches to electronic discovery in mass tort litigation. He has navigated complex issues related to preservation, collection, production, confidentiality, and privilege in large-scale matters, ensuring efficiency and compliance throughout the discovery process.
Business Litigation & Intellectual Property Protection
Beyond products liability, Matthew has successfully handled business disputes and protected the trademark rights of corporate clients by obtaining injunctions against infringing activities, demonstrating his versatility as a commercial litigator.
Representative Matters
- Successfully defended high-stakes products liability cases in federal and state courts across the country
- Served as key member of coordinating counsel team in several medical device MDLs, developing overall strategies and managing all phases of litigation
- Successfully argued dispositive motions in complex products liability matters
- Prepared and defended corporate executives for deposition and trial testimony
- Led electronic discovery strategy and implementation for numerous large-scale mass tort litigations
- Obtained injunctions protecting corporate clients' trademark rights
Firm Leadership
- Chair, Non-Equity Partner Committee, Nelson Mullins
- Former Chair, Associates Committee, Nelson Mullins
- Contributed to the Firm’s strategic direction and attorney development initiatives
Client Approach
Matthew works alongside in-house counsel as a strategic partner, combining thorough preparation and pragmatic analysis to develop effective defense strategies tailored to each client's business objectives. His experience managing complex litigation across multiple jurisdictions allows him to anticipate challenges and efficiently allocate resources for optimal results.
Education
-
University of Florida Levin College of Law,
JD,
with high honors
- The Order of the Coif
- Senior Editor of the Florida Law Review
- University of Central Florida, BA, Political Science and Legal Studies, summa cum laude
Admissions
- Georgia
- Florida
Practice Areas
- Class Action & Multi-Claim Litigation
- E-Discovery & Information Governance
- Litigation
- Products Liability - Consumer & Mechanical
- Products Liability - Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices
Industries
- 2027 Georgia Products Liability Attorney of the Year, The Products Liability Lawyers
- Selected as a "Super Lawyers - Rising Star" by Law & Politics magazine (now Thomson Reuters) (2010-2011)
- Received the inaugural Nelson Mullins' Renaissance Associate Award, an award presented to one associate firmwide who demonstrates achievement in client service, training, pro bono, marketing, recruiting, and productivity
- American Bar Association
- Georgia Bar Association
- Florida Bar Association
- Atlanta Bar Association
- DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar
- Past Chair, Nelson Mullins Non-Equity Partners Committee
- Past Chair, Nelson Mullins Associates Committee
Highlights from the Firm’s Insights
