Bet-the-Company Litigation Litigation - Health Care Appellate Practice Commercial Litigation
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Portland, OR.
Matthew J. "Matt" Kalmanson
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Matthew Kalmanson is an accomplished appellate attorney and partner at Hart Wagner LLP in Portland, Oregon. He regularly serves as lead appellate counsel in cases before state and federal appellate courts in the Pacific Northwest. As a former federal and state appellate clerk, and an experienced appellate practitioner, Matt knows how to use the appellate process to his clients’ advantage. He is often hired to assist attorneys already in litigation, and brief and argue complex legal and procedural issues before state and federal courts throughout the Northwest.
Matt also is an experienced litigator and skilled negotiator, with particular experience litigating matters involving the state and federal constitutions, statutory and regulatory schemes, and complex business transactions. He has represented individuals, large and closely-held corporations, government entities, nonprofits, officers and directors, attorneys and other professionals, in a variety of constitutional, statutory and regulatory lawsuits, securities actions, actions involving professional duties, class actions, shareholder disputes, derivative actions, trust and EFA disputes, and many others.
Overview
- Yale University, J.D., graduated 2004
- New York, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
- Washington, Washington and the Western District of Washington
- Oregon, Oregon and the District of Oregon
- United States, The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel - Editor, The Verdict magazine
- Oregon District Court Historical Society - Member, Board of Directors, 2007-2009
- Oregon Rules of Appellate Procedure Committee - Member, 2014
- Oregon State Bar Constitutional Law Section - Co-organizer and moderator, annual CLE seminar, 2010-2014
- Oregon State Bar Constitutional Law Section - Member, Executive Committee
- Oregon Uniform Civil Jury Instruction Committee - Member, 2011-2013
- Pioneer Courthouse Historical Society - Member, Board of Directors
- United States Court of Appeals
- New Jersey - Supreme Court
- New York, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
- Washington, Washington and the Western District of Washington
- Oregon, Oregon and the District of Oregon
- United States, The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel - Editor, The Verdict magazine
- Oregon District Court Historical Society - Member, Board of Directors, 2007-2009
- Oregon Rules of Appellate Procedure Committee - Member, 2014
- Oregon State Bar Constitutional Law Section - Co-organizer and moderator, annual CLE seminar, 2010-2014
- Oregon State Bar Constitutional Law Section - Member, Executive Committee
- Oregon Uniform Civil Jury Instruction Committee - Member, 2011-2013
- Pioneer Courthouse Historical Society - Member, Board of Directors
- Yale University, J.D., graduated 2004
- United States Court of Appeals
- New Jersey - Supreme Court
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Bet-the-Company Litigation, Portland, OR (2026)
- Litigation - Health Care, Portland, OR (2026)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Appellate Practice
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation - Health Care
Awards:
- Rising Star, Oregon Super Lawyers magazine, 2008-2012
News & Media
Additional Information
Case History
Cases
- Weaving v. City of Hillsboro, (9th Cir. 2014)
Procured reversal of jury verdict in case defining scope of disability law under ADA.
- Stewart v. Kids Inc., 245 Or. App. 267, 261 P.3d 1272 (2011), dismissing review as improvidently granted, 353 Or. 104, 295 P.3d 51 (2012)
Preserved trial court victory for restaurant sued for failing to prevent criminal act that occurred on its premises.
- Waxman v. Waxman & Associates, Inc., 224 Or. App. 499, 198 P.3d 445 (2008)
Represented construction professionals in case defining scope of statute of limitations in contract actions.
- Cortez v. Nacco Materials Handling Grp., Inc., 248 Or. App. 435, 274 P.3d 202; __ Or. ___ (2014)
Represented lumber mill in case defining nature of negligence liability for members of limited liability corporations.
- Greer v. Ace Hardware Corp., 256 Or. App. 132, 300 P.3d 202 (2013)
Preserved trial court victory in favor of hardware store in asbestos litigation.
- A.G. v. Guitron, 238 Or. App. 223, 226, 241 P.3d 1188, 1190 (2010), aff’d, 351 Or. 465, 268 P.3d 589 (2011)
Preserved trial court victory in case defining obligations of parties to produce certain expert reports.
- Fehr v. Kennedy, 387 F. App’x 789 (9th Cir. 2010)
Successfully represented attorney and law-firm in trial court and Ninth Circuit, in case defining scope of mediation privilege in Oregon.
- Represented professional liability fund in lawsuit brought against the United States in federal court
Court exempted client from burdensome regulatory requirements.
- Represented professional fiduciary accused of violating constitutional rights of family members of fiduciary’s ward
Court dismissed all claims.
- Represented attorney and law-firm accused of conspiring with client to violate rights of third party in business transaction
Court granted judgment in favor of client.
- Represented grocery store chain in multi-state class action alleging violations of statutory and common law duties
Court granted judgment in favor of client.
- Represented Boards of Directors in derivative lawsuits alleging breach of fiduciary duties
Court dismissed all claims.
- Represented attorney in case alleging violation of securities laws
Court granted judgment in favor of client.
- Successfully procured asylum for two families from Chad
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