Practice areas: State, Local & Municipal, Civil Litigation; view more
Licensed in Michigan since: 2013
Education: Wayne State University Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2018 - 2024 Details 
Matthew “Matt” Cross is a partner at CMDA Law in Traverse City, Michigan, focusing on insurance defense litigation, law enforcement defense, and municipal law. His practice includes representing cities, townships, counties, and other public entities in litigation and serving as their legal counsel.Matt’s litigation experience spans employment law, personal injury defense, real property disputes, zoning and land use disputes, and cannabis licensing litigation. He has secured dismissals in each of these areas, as well as other municipal matters. His experience combines defending claims with advising local governments on the legal issues affecting their operations and communities.Matt currently serves as city attorney for two home rule cities, township attorney for a general law township, general counsel for several counties, and counsel for a regional health department. He previously served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Petoskey.Earlier in his career, Matt worked as a judicial research attorney and law clerk for Judge John Murphy in the Wayne County Circuit Court and as an associate attorney at two law firms.Beyond his legal practice, Matt serves on the board of directors of a nonprofit community investment cooperative focused on addressing affordable housing in northern Michigan. He also volunteers with his local humane society.
Practice areas
State, Local & Municipal, Civil Litigation: DefenseFocus areas
State, Local & Municipal Litigation
- 60% State, Local & Municipal
- 40% Civil Litigation: Defense
First Admitted: 2013, Michigan
Professional Webpage: https://cmdalaw.com/attorney/matthew-w-cross/
Bar / Professional Activity
- State Bar of Michigan, Litigation Section
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- Michigan State Courts
- Saginaw Valley Adjusters Association (SVAA)
- Central Michigan Adjusters Association (CMAA)
- Grand Rapids Adjusters Association (GRAA)
- Insurance Alliance of Michigan (IAM)
- Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys (MAMA)
- Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC), Regional Chairperson
- Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter
- State Bar of Michigan, Young Lawyers Section
- State Bar of Michigan, Prison & Corrections Section
Pro bono / Community Service
- Volunteer-Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan , 2017
- Attorney Volunteer-Third Level Crisis Center Free Legal Aid Clinic, 2017
Educational Background
- Ferris State University, B.S., magna cum laude, 2008
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Highs and Lows: A Blunt Assessment of Legal Issues Surrounding Marijuana Licensing in Michigan, MMRMA Risk Management Workshop, February 26-27, 2025
- Popular Music for Political Activities – Who Holds the Rights?
- The Search for Consistency in the Interpretation of Plea Agreements and Appeal Waivers in the Face of Breach, 15 J.L. Soc’y 119 (2013-2014)
- Calculating the Statute of Limitations in FMLA Cases: Discrete Acts or Continuing Violations? State Bar of Michigan Litigation Journal, January 2018
- Corrections Legal Update, MMRMA Training Session, January 15-16, 2019
Honors
- Michigan Rising Star Top Rated Civil Litigation Attorney, Michigan Super Lawyers, 2018-2024
- Academic All-Conference and All-State (2004-2005), National Junior College Athletic Association
- Honorable Mention All-State, National Junior College Athletic Association
- Two-Year Varsity Athletic Award for baseball at Kalamazoo Valley Community College
- Merit scholarship recipient (Wayne State University Law School)
- Up & Coming Lawyers, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2023
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2022-2023
Office location for Matthew W. Cross
125 Park Street
Suite 300
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: 734-228-4580
Selections
1 Year Super Lawyers
7 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2026
- Rising Stars: 2018 - 2024
