Matthew Sean Harrison

Top rated Administrative Law attorney in Aliso Viejo, California

Prometheus Civic Law
Matthew Sean Harrison
Prometheus Civic Law

Practice areas: Administrative Law, Business Litigation, Constitutional Law; view more

Licensed in California since: 2015

Education: University of Southern California Gould School of Law

Selected to Rising Stars: 2018 - 2025

Prometheus Civic Law

120 Vantis Dr
Suite 300
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 Visit website

Details

At Prometheus Civic Law in Aliso Viejo, California, attorney Matthew Sean Harrison delves into administrative law, business litigation, contract law, cases involving government agencies, licensing defense and regulatory compliance. Renowned for his innovative approach to public policy, he has been at the forefront of legal transformation for over a decade. 

Mr. Harrison's strategic acumen in governmental affairs, intricate policy matters and public service make him a trusted adviser to a diverse range of clients, including startups and tech companies, guiding them in shaping business goals, managing operations and ensuring regulatory adherence.

In 2016, Mr. Harrison played a pivotal role in drafting California’s Proposition 64, the landmark initiative that decriminalized and regulated cannabis for adult use, achieving an unprecedented level of support. Collaborating closely with California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom and other state leaders, he was instrumental in authoring key sections of this groundbreaking legislation and was deeply involved in designing its overarching policy framework, drawing insights from related fields such as sustainable agriculture and alcohol regulation.

Mr. Harrison's academic journey began with a B.B.A. in political science and a minor in economics from the University of Miami in 2005. He then earned his J.D. from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law and an M.P.P. from the USC Price School of Public Policy in 2010. Since 2015, he has been licensed to practice law in California and is authorized to appear before the United States District Courts for the Southern and Central Districts of California.

Practice areas

Administrative Law, Business Litigation, Constitutional Law, Business/Corporate, Cannabis Law, Government Contracts

Focus areas

Business Formation and Planning, Business Organizations, Contracts, Government Benefits, Licensing, Limited Liability Companies, Non-Compete Agreements, Partnership, Sub-chapter S Corporations, Trade Secret

  • 30% Administrative Law
  • 20% Business Litigation
  • 20% Constitutional Law
  • 10% Business/Corporate
  • 10% Cannabis Law
  • 10% Government Contracts

First Admitted: 2015, California

Bar/Professional Activity:
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 2023
  • U.S. District Court – Southern District of California, 2016
  • California, 2015
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
  • Successfully negotiated and obtained settlement and dismissal of misconduct charges against client, a professor in University of California (UC) system, regarding alleged violations of faculty code of conduct., 2023
  • Successfully ensured that California Massage Therapy Council restored certification to good standing on behalf of client, a licensed massage therapist improperly denied certificate renewal, and those similarly situated., 2023
  • Obtained dismissal of meritless attempted license revocation by local municipality, 2018
Representative Clients:
  • Representing owner of licensed foster home in ongoing dispute with the California Department of Social Services and County Health and Human Services Agency, including administrative hearings, juvenile court, and civil court. Successfully obtained dismissal of accusation after eight days of administrative hearings before the Office of Administrative Hearings., 2023
  • Representing a prospective applicant for testing to become a Registered Dietician, through exam administered by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Committee on Dietetic Registration. Filed civil rights lawsuit, currently pending in U.S. District Court, Central District of California., 2023
  • Representing one of the largest and most popular cannabis brands in the state, and one of the few completely vertically integrated licensed operations. Assisting with all aspects of compliance from contract and entity structuring to regulatory and legislative engagement., 2020
Transactions:
  • Facilitated successful real property purchase for $1,500,000 for court-ordered sale, over objections from opposing counsel and court-appointed receiver, enabling client to retain existing ownership rights., 2022
Honors/Awards:
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers (Southern California), 2023
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers (Southern California), 2022
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers (Southern California), 2021
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers (Southern California), 2020
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers (Southern California), 2019
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers (Southern California), 2018
Educational Background:
  • University of Miami, B.B.A., Political Science, Minor in Economics, Deans List and Provost’s Honor Roll, 2005
  • University of Southern California, M.P.P., Price School of Public Policy, Accepted to accelerated joint law/public policy degree program, 2010
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
  • Legal analysis regarding a 2023 ATF regulation, “Definition of Frame or Receiver," and Supreme Court case staying a lower court ruling. , Author, A Vague Rule to Define the Receiver of a Firearm is Confusing and Divisive, Daily Journal, 2023
  • Although a recent California Superior Court ruling authorizing retail delivery of cannabis into any city in the state has been criticized as confusing, the state's cannabis delivery law is ultimately clear on both cities' right to ban commercial delivery and the specific conditions under which statewide deliveries remain lawful, says the Reason Foundation's Matt Harrison, a co-author of the law., Author, California's Cannabis Delivery Law Is Clearer Than It Seems, Law360, Cannabis, Public Policy, 2020
Other Outstanding Achievements:
  • Drafting attorney, California Proposition 64, "Adult Use of Marijuana Act" (2016). As part of the policy development and drafting team, Matt directly authored several provisions in the voter-approved initiative, after negotiating with a broad and diverse coalition of state leaders and stakeholders to carefully craft a balanced, comprehensive, yet flexible policy structure. Given the state's sui generis size, complex legislative background, and unprecedented black/gray market operations, the legal and policy challenges were immense - making the effort (and the eventual landside passage by a record percentage) even more notable., 2016
Industry Groups:
  • Cannabis
  • Internet
  • Technology

Office location for Matthew Sean Harrison

120 Vantis Dr
Suite 300
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Phone: 866-745-3101

Selections

8 Years Rising Stars
  • Rising Stars: 2018 - 2025

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