Practice areas: Civil Litigation, Construction Litigation, Employment Litigation; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 2009
Education: Lewis & Clark Law School
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Rising Stars: 2009 - 2010 As a shareholder at Kelley Clarke Law PC in Prosper, Texas, Matthew M. Clarke provides strategic representation to businesses and individuals dealing with difficult disputes. His practice focuses on civil litigation, especially in construction and employment matters. Whether he is advocating in state or federal court, he works to resolve disputes quickly while being ready to fight in court if necessary.
Mr. Clarke represents clients in various civil disputes, including breach of contract claims, partnership and shareholder conflicts, construction defect cases, payment disputes, workplace discrimination and wrongful termination matters. He is known for his careful approach and thorough case preparation, creating customized litigation strategies to protect his clients’ financial and professional interests.
Mr. Clarke graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Willamette University in 1992. He then went on to attend the Lewis & Clark Northwestern University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1996. During law school, he laid the foundation for a career defined by careful legal analysis, persuasive advocacy and a commitment to client service.
A consummate professional, Mr. Clarke is admitted to practice law in Texas, California and New York, as well as before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 1st and 9th Circuits. He is also admitted to practice before multiple federal district and bankruptcy courts, including the U.S. District Courts for the Central and Southern Districts of California; the Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas; the District of Idaho; and the District of New Hampshire, along with the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Idaho and the Northern District of Texas.
An engaged member of the legal community, Mr. Clarke has been active in the Santa Barbara County Bar Association, where he served for several years on the Executive Committee, demonstrating his commitment to professional leadership and improving standards within the legal field.
Practice areas
Civil Litigation: Plaintiff, Construction Litigation: Consumer, Employment Litigation: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff- 20% Civil Litigation: Plaintiff
- 40% Construction Litigation: Consumer
- 20% Employment Litigation: Plaintiff
- 20% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1996, California
Professional Webpage: https://kelleyclarkelaw.com/partner/matthew-clarke
Bar / Professional Activity
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 2010
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, 2016
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas, 2016
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, 2016
- U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire, 2016
- U.S. Court of Appeal, Ninth Circuit, 2008
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 2011
- U.S. District Court, District of Idaho, 2008
- Courts of the State of Texas, 2009
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, 2005
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 1996
- Courts of the State of California, 1996
- State Bar of Texas
- State Bar of California
- 2011 - Executive Officer, Santa Barbara County Bar Association 2012 - Executive Officer, Santa Barbara County Bar Association 2013 - Executive Officer, Santa Barbara County Bar Association 2014 - President Elect, Santa Barbara County Bar Association
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- State Dept. of Social Services v. Marin (2019) 34 Cal.App.5th 328
- Kelley v. Los Angeles Transition Center (2015) 2015 WL 3658153
- Mueller v. Collectors Universe, Inc. (2017) 2017 WL 6379940, review denied
- Deedle v. Collectors Universe, Inc. (2017) 2017 WL 6379941, review denied
- Roman Catholic Bishop of Monterey v. Cota (9th Cir. 2018) 711 Fed.Appx. 428
- Strauss v. Sheffield Ins. Corp., (2008) 281 Fed.Appx. 656, 2008 WL 2229817
- Colavincenzo v. Corby Gould Pools, Inc. (2014) 2014 WL 6657552
- Colavincenzo v. Aloha Pool & Spa (2014) 2014 WL 6657444
- Goldberg v. Coggins Company (2013) 2013 WL 4743104
- Willig v. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (2010) 2010 WL 302436, as modified on denial of reh’g
- McDermott v. Ampersand Pub., LLC (9th Cir. 2010) 593 F.3d 950
- Gottesman v. Cathedral Oaks Tennis, Swim & Athletic Club, Inc. (2008) 2008 WL 4073392
- Lazy Acres Market, Inc. v. Tseng (2007) 152 Cal. App. 4th 1431
- El Escorial Owners’ Association v. DLC Plastering, Inc., (2007) 154 Cal. App. 4th 1337
Educational Background
- Willamette University, Salem, Oregon, B.A., 1992
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- PUBLICATIONS Traveling In Colombia Santa Barbara Lawyer 2013; The California Court of Appeal Chips Away at the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, et ux. Santa Barbara Lawyer 2011; Attorneys May Include Binding Arbitration Provisions in Retainer Agreements – Attorneys Should (but are not obligated to) Explain the Terms to “Sophisticated” Clients Santa Barbara Lawyer 2011; The Court of Appeal Denies Attorney Fees to a Law Firm Litigant Represented by its own Associate Santa Barbara Lawyer 2011; Provisional Remedies in a Wave of Foreclosures Santa Barbara Lawyer 2011; Santa Barbara’s Federal Court Santa Barbara Lawyer 2010
Honors
- Highly Rated on Attorney Rating Website AVVO
- Super Lawyer Rising Star, 2009 and 2010
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2009 - 2010
