Proudfoot, Matthew M.

Matthew M. Proudfoot is a founding partner in our Irvine office. His practice focuses on the defense of cases involving breach of warranty/products liability, Business & Professions Code Section 17200, Consumer Legal Remedies Act and other consumer litigation. Mr. Proudfoot is licensed to practice in the State of California and United States District Courts, and is a member of ABOTA, The American Board of Trial Advocates.

Experience

Warranty Defense Litigation: Matt’s special area of expertise is the handling of breach of warranty cases. In 25 years of practice Matt has represented many automobile manufacturers, and currently represents Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford Motor Company, Tiffin Motorhomes and other recreational vehicle manufacturers and dealerships in litigation throughout California. Matt and partner Douglas Guy were trial counsel in the landmark Gavaldon v. DaimlerChrysler Corporation (2004) 32 Cal. 4th 1246) case in which the California Supreme Court found that service contracts are not express warranties under the Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.

Business Litigation and Employment Liability Defense: Matt has represented manufacturers, dealers and small corporations in a variety of employment and contract claims alleging discrimination, unlawful termination, breach of contract and premises liability. He has also worked extensively with manufacturers to establish early claims resolution programs designed to evaluate and resolve consumer based claims to avoid lengthy and costly litigation.

Class Actions – Business & Professions Code Section 17200: Matt has defended many cases involving claims brought pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 17200 and The Consumer Legal Remedies Act, including individual and class actions alleging unfair business practices. Matt was defense counsel in a class action lawsuit brought against a recreational vehicle manufacturer and its multi-state dealership network focusing on unfair business practices and trial counsel in a 17200 action against another manufacturer alleging numerous violations of consumer laws.

Mediation: Matt completed the Pepperdine University School of Law Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution training in Mediating the Litigated Case. Since completing that training Matt has been retained to mediate in many cases involving both consumer and personal injury claims.

Speaking Engagements: Matt is a featured speaker at a number of conferences and seminars, including  the annual Southern California Lemon Law Defense conference. He has conducted seminars on general litigation and warranty litigation issues for manufacturers and dealerships.