Matt is co-chair of the Bank Defense & Counseling team for the Government Investigations and White Collar Litigation Department. He defends companies and individuals facing government investigations and helps them navigate these inquiries to resolution.
Matt represents corporate and individual clients in multiple industries. He leads large-scale internal investigations and has represented major financial institutions in high-profile enforcement matters involving the DOJ, SEC, supervisory regulators, and other government agencies. Matt provides counsel regarding all aspects of BSA/AML compliance and is a go-to resource for clients on suspicious activity reporting and nondisclosure laws. He also advises companies on proactive compliance initiatives to better position them for future regulatory scrutiny.
In addition to defending financial industry clients in a broad range of enforcement matters, Matt has extensive experience overseeing all aspects of federal equity receiverships. He currently serves as the court-appointed receiver of one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history. He also advises clients on all aspects of the attorney-client privilege, providing frequent trainings on how best to protect the privilege. Matt has defended elected officials in federal campaign finance investigations, and he defends companies in immigration enforcement matters, providing related counsel on Form I-9 and E-Verify compliance.
Prior to joining the firm, Matt clerked for Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
Defended a major financial institution in multi-year enforcement actions by the DOJ, SEC, and Multistate Attorneys General.
Served as lead counsel in defending financial institution against OCC enforcement inquiry including regular discussions with government counsel and coordination of company’s response.
Represented broker dealers in responding to FINRA 8210 letters and inquiries.
Serve as counsel to a major financial institution advising on all aspects of the attorney-client privilege and protecting against privilege waiver, including frequent trainings addressing corporate and cross-border privilege issues.
Federal equity receiverships
Led internal investigations for clients for purposes of proactive company compliance and in relation to government enforcement actions
SEC investigations into:
Advise companies and individuals in responding to federal grand jury subpoenas and preparation of witnesses for trial and grand jury testimony.
Defended a government contractor in the transportation industry in a DOJ and IRS investigation into alleged fraud relating to the disadvantaged business enterprise program.
Defended a sitting Congressman in investigations by the House Ethics Committee, DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office resulting in a declination with no filing of charges or OCE referral.
Representation of corporations in immigration and worksite enforcement matters
Serve as counsel to multiple financial institution clients regarding BSA/AML compliance including SAR reporting and nondisclosure laws.
Board Member, Federal Bar Association for the Western District of North Carolina
Full Member, National Association of Federal Equity Receivers
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Named to "North Carolina Rising Stars," Criminal Defense: White Collar, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2014-2020
Selected for inclusion into the North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society, 2020