Mr. Tharney is a Partner in the Product Liability Group of McCarter & English, LLP. He is an experienced trial lawyer with a diverse complex civil litigation practice. He has extensive experience litigating and counseling clients in the areas of product liability, construction, business disputes, personal injury, public entity liability and real property. As lead counsel, he has tried many jury trials to verdict and bench trials to judgment, and has litigated cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Mr. Tharney's product liability experience includes defending claims against manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, consumer products and commercial equipment. On behalf of construction industry clients, Mr. Tharney has prosecuted and defended a wide array of significant claims involving alleged construction defect, construction accidents and contractual disputes. He has handled complex personal injury suits involving alleged catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, severe burn injuries, wrongful death and survivorship claims. He also has vast experience defending claims involving public entities. In the real property context, he has prosecuted and defended a broad range of claims on behalf of financial institutions, individuals and other entities involved in title disputes.
Mr. Tharney has handled all aspects of appellate practice including several successful cases before the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He also has extensive experience with alternative dispute resolution and routinely conducts mediation and arbitration proceedings.
In 2010, Mr. Tharney was designated by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney, a designation granted only to those attorneys demonstrating superior experience, education, knowledge and skill in civil trial practice. Successful applicants must pass a rigorous written examination and be recommended by judges and peers as possessing the requisite expertise in civil trial practice. Only 2-3% of New Jersey attorneys receive this honor.
Mr. Tharney also was selected by the New Jersey Law Journal (NJLJ) for its 2010 "40 Under 40" list. According to its Editor-in-Chief, the NJLJ generally chooses attorneys "who have developed practice niches, demonstrated leadership potential by work in practice groups or committees and amassed a thick book of business and/or a solid record of trial, appellate or transactional work." The NJLJ selects for inclusion in its "40 Under 40" list those attorneys with "special attributes that supersede their résumés," and those who stand out as having established themselves "by proven expertise in practice areas, by acceptance of important management roles at their firms, by rain-making ability and by strong community involvement and volunteerism - all of which make up the stuff of future leaders of the profession."
Mr. Tharney has been recognized as a New Jersey Rising Star in the 2006-2011 issues of New Jersey Super Lawyers magazine, its listing of the top lawyers who are 40 years old or younger or who have practiced 10 years or less.
Mr. Tharney has lectured on topics including trial advocacy, evidence, civil procedure and HIPAA compliance.
Mr. Tharney received his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1999 and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Rutgers University in 1994.
Memberships & Affiliations
American Bar Association
National Center for State Courts, Committee Member
New Jersey Defense Association, ADR Committee Chair
Trial Attorneys of New Jersey, Trustee
Certified Civil Trial Attorney
News
07/28/10, Matthew Tharney has been selected and recognized by New Jersey Law Journal in their annual "40 Under 40," a magazine profiling young New Jersey lawyers whose achievements in legal practice and in public service distinguish them among their peers.
03/22/10, McCarter Attorneys Recognized as New Jersey Rising Stars for 2010
03/31/09, McCarter Attorneys Recognized As New Jersey Rising Stars for 2009