Matthew P. Lawlyes

Matthew is a partner at Fisher, Bren & Sheridan, LLP and an experienced civil litigator, with particular focus in insurance coverage, construction disputes, product liability, professional liability, personal injury, and wrongful death at both the trial court and appellate levels. He also counsels private companies on a broad range of issues, including construction and contractual disputes, contract drafting and negotiation, mechanic's liens, business formation, and strategic risk management. Matthew is licensed in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, but has handled cases throughout the country. He has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025.

Matthew graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he served as the Managing Director of the Maynard Pirsig Moot Court curriculum and competed on the American Bar Association negotiation team. During law school, Matthew clerked for a large aerospace and defense manufacturer, working in areas of employment and labor law, corporate governance and securities, and contract development. Prior to law school, he worked for the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project, investigating claims of wrongful convictions.

Selected Cases:

• Obtained a summary judgment dismissal of a $25 million lawsuit filed against his property developer clients, wherein it was claimed that the construction of a multi-building apartment complex resulted in widespread geotechnical and construction deficiencies. RCS Southridge (COR), LLC, et al. v. R.D. Offutt Companies, et al., District Court of Williams County, North Dakota, Court File No. 53-2022-CV-00165.
• Obtained a summary judgment dismissal of claims against his homeowners' association client in a lawsuit brought by property owners claiming that the association violated the terms and conditions of its governing documents by denying an application for the construction of a new home. Warner v. Pines of North Oaks Homeowners' Association, District Court of Ramsey County, Minnesota, Court File No. 62-CV-24-4223. The dismissal was subsequently affirmed on appeal.
• Obtained a summary judgment dismissal of claims against his agricultural chemical company client in a lawsuit brought by farm owners alleging improper formulation and application of herbicides. Gjovig, et al. v. New Century Ag, District Court of Divide County, North Dakota, Court File No. 12-2024-CV-00062 (appeal forthcoming).
• Obtained a judgment on the pleadings dismissal of claims against his commercial electrician clients brought by an employee injured in an oil production facility alleging that the facility was negligently designed. Tombari v. NOV Process & Flow Technologies US, Inc., et al., United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Court File No. 1:24-CV-00123 (appeal pending).
• Obtained a summary judgment dismissal of claims against his engineering company client in a lawsuit brought by property developers alleging the client negligently provided architectural and engineering services during the design and development of a multi-building apartment complex. Tioga Apartments, et al. v. Cole Group Architects, et al., District Court of Stearns County, Minnesota, Court File No. 73-CV-23-6205.
• Obtained a summary judgment dismissal of claims against his cattle feed producer and formulator client brought by cattle owners alleging that improperly designed and formulated cattle feed caused cattle deaths and growth defects. Darrell L. Christian, et al. v. Form-A-Feed, Inc., District Court of Lyon County, Minnesota, Court File No. 42-CV-21-1124.
• Represented an insurance company in a multi-million-dollar insurance coverage dispute arising out of the exposure to asbestos of hundreds of workers over the decades.
• Represented a farm owner in a multi-million-dollar bad faith insurance coverage dispute against an insurance company arising out of its failure to honor the terms and conditions of the policy by refusing to pay for property damage to the farm and personal property.
• Obtained a summary judgment against the United States on behalf of a resident alien arising out of the federal government's wrongful delay and denial of an application to adjust status from permanent resident to United States citizen.
• Obtained a favorable verdict for a property owner against claims that a failed real estate transaction arose out of the client's failure to draft, execute, and handle the real estate transaction.

Education:

• University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 2014
• University of Illinois – Springfield B.A., magna cum laude, 2011

Bar Admissions:

• Minnesota
• North Dakota
• Wisconsin
• U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
• U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota
• 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

Practice Areas:

• General Liability and Civil Litigation
• Insurance Coverage
• Construction Law
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
• Professional Liability
• Errors and Omissions
• Commercial Litigation
• Contract Litigation
• Emerging Contaminant / Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination and Exposure Litigation

Awards and Honors:

• Named to Rising Stars® list in 2021-2025.