Matthew Preusch

Matt focuses his work on cases that protect people and the environment. He has helped initiate landmark consumer litigation related to Volkswagen’s “Clean Diesel” deceit and Wells Fargo’s unauthorized account scheme. When studies of moss samples in trees in Portland, Oregon identified several pollution “hotspots” in that city, he and others at Keller Rohrback launched cases on behalf of residents that resulted in the largest environmental class action settlement in Oregon history. More recently, he served as co-lead counsel representing survivors of four utility-caused wildfires in Oregon. That case resulted in a historic, first-of-its-kind jury verdict finding a utility liable to a class for punitive damages. In addition, Matt serves as individual plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel for the Marshall Fire litigation in Colorado.

Before joining Keller Rohrback, Matthew served as an honors attorney in the Oregon Department of Justice’s appellate and trial divisions. He was a judicial extern for the Hon. Michael W. Mosman in the District of Oregon during law school. Prior to his legal career, he spent 10 years as a journalist in the Pacific Northwest, covering regional and national news for The Oregonian, The New York Times and other publications.

Articles & Presentations

•Speaker, National Wildland Fire Conference (April 2024).
•Panelist, Bridgeport Consumer Class Action Litigation Conference, Current State of the Law on Ascertainability and Standing (January 2017).
•Speaker, Bridgeport Environmental Class Action Webinar (March 2016).
•Panelist, Lewis and Clark Law School, Public Interest Law Project, Cutting-Edge Bet the Company Mega Class Action CLE (February 2016).
•Speaker, Harris Martin Porter Ranch Gas Leak Litigation Conference, Remedies (January 19, 2016).
•Panelist, Bridgeport Consumer Class Action Litigation Conference, Current State of the Law on Ascertainability and Standing (January 2016).
•Author, How to Ethically and Effectively Talk to Reporters, Environmental Law News, Vol. 25, No. 1 (Spring 2015).
•Speaker, Dont Say, 'No Comment”: How To Ethically and Effectively Talk to Reporters, Santa Barbara County Bar Association (September 16, 2015).
•Oregon State Bar Environmental & Natural Resources Section Case Notes (July 2015).
•Author, Tim Weaver, Yakama Tribes Salmon Champion, Says His Goodbyes, The Oregonian (January 1, 2010).
•Author, DEQ to Help Polluter Seek Federal Break on Mercury Emission, The Oregonian (Aug.ust19, 2009).
•Author, Amid Forests Ashes, A Debate Over Logging Profits is Burning On, The New York Times (April 15, 2004).

Recognitions

Honors & Awards

•Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers - The Green 500, 2025-2026
•Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Action - Plaintiffs - Santa Barbara, California, 2025 (Recognized since 2024)
•National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, 2024-2025