Attorney Profile - Matthew E. Liebson

Experience
 

I have practiced law since 1999, starting my career as an associate and subsequently a partner in the Cleveland office of Thompson Hine LLP, and later as associate general counsel and then general counsel for a rapidly-growing automotive part manufacturing company. 

I work with clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 public companies in a wide variety of industries, including paints, chemicals, industrial manufacturing, and consumer packaged goods.

The focus of my practice is as a practical advisor and counselor in the broadly-defined area of “competition” law, including antitrust, product distribution, advertising, commercial contracts, trade secrets, and restrictive covenants. I work with clients to assess business practices, to train employees in legal compliance, drafts agreements and policies, and where necessary, work to resolve disputes.  Where possible, I seek to make the legal review process streamlined, reproducible, and efficient.  Your legal counsel should be your partner in achieving business objectives, not your opponent.

My experience also includes significant antitrust, competition, non-compete, trade secret, product distribution, products liability, and other business-oriented litigation matters in state and federal courts, at the trial and appellate levels, all around the country.  I am experienced in resolving business disputes, whether through trial, through mediation, or by direct negotiation, and can also supervise the activities of other retained or local counsel.

Background

I am a graduate of Harvard Law School and of Denison University, summa cum laude.  My entire legal career has been based in Ohio.  I am admitted to practice in the Ohio state courts, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, The United States District Court for the District of Colorado, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.  I have litigated matters in state and federal courts in approximately twenty other states, and I represent clients from across the country.

I am a resident of Solon and a strong believer in the future of Northeast Ohio.  When not practicing law, I enjoy spending time with my wife and four kids.  I am an active stamp collector and postal historian, with particular expertise in the postal history of Ohio.  I also collect and enjoy using fountain pens, though I will admit they don't improve my handwriting.

Professional Involvement

• Ohio State Bar Association – I have been an active member of the OSBA’s Antitrust Section for many years, including prior service as the Section treasurer, vice chair, and chair, and have been involved in planning for Antitrust Section programs at OSBA annual conventions and the Section's annual Antitrust Institute.

Community Involvement

• Summer on the Cuyahoga – I represent Denison University on the Board of Directors of this innovative summer internship program that brings students from eight prestigious colleges to Cleveland for paid internships, the start of a professional network, and a full immersion experience in Northeast Ohio.
• American Philatelic Society – I have been a member of the Society for more than 30 years.  I served on the Membership Committee for a number of years, including as its chair, and also as the chair of a subcommittee for the Nicholas Carter Volunteer Awards for the Society.  I am an accredited philatelic judge.   I'm also an officer or board member of several other stamp collecting organizations, including the Ohio Postal History Society and Cleveland's Garfield-Perry Stamp Club.
• Solon Community Band – I helped to form the Solon Community Band as an entity and served as the initial Secretary of the Board, from 2014-2020.
• Rotary Club of Solon, Ohio – I was a charter member of the club (formed in 2010) and have served as the Club Secretary for most of the period of my membership, through 2022. Rotary International, the world’s largest service organization, performs community service projects locally and around the world.  I was recognized as the Solon Club’s “Rotarian of the Year” in 2015.
   

Publications and Presentations

I have written and presented in multiple areas of practice. I have presented webcasts for the OSBA in areas including “Risks of Retail,” “Sweepstakes and Contests 101,” and the Defend Trade Secrets Act, and have presented at the OSBA Antitrust Section’s Antitrust Institute.  I also wrote the Ohio chapter for the first edition of Business Torts:  A Fifty State Guide in 2007 and have continued to co-edit that chapter through its 2017 edition.

Recognition

• AV® Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
• Selected for inclusion in Rising Stars by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine for antitrust litigation, 2009, 2013 and 2014.
• Selected for inclusion as a Super Lawyer by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine for antitrust litigation, 2018.
• Listed in Who’s Who in American Law, 2007 to present.