Matthew B. Lerner
Partner
201 17th Street NW
Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA 30363
Matthew is a partner in Nelson Mullins' Atlanta office with a national litigation practice focused on defending manufacturers in high-stakes products liability matters. With over 20 years of experience, Matthew has established himself as a strategic litigator focusing in medical device and pharmaceutical defense across federal and state courts nationwide. In several medical device multi-district litigations...
Matthew is a partner in Nelson Mullins' Atlanta office with a national litigation practice focused on defending manufacturers in high-stakes products liability matters. With over 20 years of experience, Matthew has established himself as a strategic litigator focusing in medical device and pharmaceutical defense across federal and state courts nationwide. In several medical device multi-district litigations (MDLs), Matthew has contributed to developing comprehensive litigation strategies, collaborated in managing large legal teams, and played a key role in securing favorable outcomes for corporate clients. His leadership within Nelson Mullins is demonstrated through his past service as chair of both the Non-Equity Partner Committee and Associates Committee, roles that reflect his commitment to the Firm's strategic direction and attorney development.
(MDLs), Matthew has contributed to developing comprehensive litigation strategies, collaborated in managing large legal teams, and played a key role in securing favorable outcomes for corporate clients. His leadership within Nelson Mullins is demonstrated through his past service as chair of both the Non-Equity Partner Committee and Associates Committee, roles that reflect his commitment to the Firm's strategic direction and attorney development.
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
- 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 is a partner in Nelson Mullins' Atlanta office with a national litigation practice focused on defending manufacturers in high-stakes products liability matters. With over 20 years of experience, Matthew has established himself as a strategic litigator focusing in medical device and pharmaceutical defense across federal and state courts nationwide. In several medical device multi-district litigations... (MDLs), Matthew has contributed to developing comprehensive litigation strategies, collaborated in managing large legal teams, and played a key role in securing favorable outcomes for corporate clients. His leadership within Nelson Mullins is demonstrated through his past service as chair of both the Non-Equity Partner Committee and Associates Committee, roles that reflect his commitment to the Firm's strategic direction and attorney development.
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
- 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
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