Matthew A. C. Zapf is a trial attorney with over 20 years of experience representing clients in all phases of litigation. He has a broad practice and focuses on complex commercial litigation, class action litigation, products liability, toxic tort, intellectual property, and professional negligence claims. Additionally, Matt counsels companies on document retention programs, the use of internal litigation management systems to handle litigation claims more efficiently, and assists clients in creating litigation prevention programs. He also has a great deal of experience in litigation and arbitration matters outside of the United States.
Previously, Matt served as head of the litigation department of another national law firm and as Chief Litigation Counsel for Caterpillar Inc. In those capacities, he served as regional and national counsel for clientele on a full range of complex litigation matters.
Matt is also a strong supporter of pro bono work, and regularly appears in the United States Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of criminal defendants.
Areas of Concentration
ˇ Commercial litigation
ˇ Class actions
ˇ Intellectual property
ˇ Product liability and toxic tort
ˇ Lender liability
ˇ Workouts
ˇ Securities litigation
ˇ Employment litigation
Professional & Community Involvement
ˇ Member, Chicago Bar Association
ˇ Member, Chicago Bar Foundation
- Board of Directors
- Grant's Committee
- Vice-Chair, "Investing in Justice" Campaign
- Lincoln Circle of Justice
ˇ Adjunct Professor, Northwestern University School of Law
ˇ Faculty, Bartlett Center for Trial Strategy, Bluhm Legal Clinic
ˇ Board of Directors, Illinois Association of Court Appointed Special Advocates
Awards & Recognition
ˇ Listed, Leading Lawyers Network (2010-2012)
- Products Liability Defense Law
- Toxic Torts Defense Law
ˇ Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Illinois Super Lawyers (2005-2012)
- Business Litigation
- Class Action/Mass Tort
- Intellectual Property Litigation
ˇ Team Member, Law360 "Product Liability Practice Group of the Year" (2011)
Articles, Publications, & Lectures
Articles
ˇ Author, "Waiver of Right to Arbitrate," Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
ˇ Author, "Judicial Review of Arbitration Awards - Vacature," Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Lectures
ˇ Frequent lecturer in the United States and Europe on various issues including litigation prevention, total quality management and compliance