Atty. Matthew A. Richards

Atty. Matthew A. Richards

Matt Richards is a litigator who represents owners and general contractors in federal and state court construction litigation and in arbitration. He also has significant experience in antitrust, bankruptcy, and appellate law.

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Profile Summary

About Matthew A. Richards at a glance

Matthew A. Richards is a construction attorney based in San Francisco, California, practicing at Nixon Peabody LLP. Admitted to practice in California, The State Bar of California. Educated at University of California Hastings College of the Law (J.D., 2004). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026). Serands clients in San Francisco, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Matt Richards is a litigator who represents owners and general contractors in federal and state court construction litigation and in arbitration
  • He also has significant experience in antitrust, bankruptcy, and appellate law
  • In addition, Matt oversees Nixon Peabody’s award-winning pro bono program, which leverages the skills and experience of attorneys and staff to make a positive impact for our clients and communities
  • My focus Construction & Real Estate Development I represent public entities, private owners, and general contractors in all phases of construction, from counseling and contract drafting through litigation of complex construction disputes
  • When litigation is required, I develop and implement case-specific strategies, from pre-litigation claims investigation through fact and expert discovery to trial and appeal
  • My background and experience in bankruptcy and appellate work uniquely positions me to address two key ancillary issues that frequently confront my clients as litigation unfolds—dealing with insolvent adversaries and defending favorable rulings, judgments, and verdicts on appeal
  • Having also litigated construction defect, mechanic’s lien, contract, insurance, indemnification, and statute of limitation/statute of repose issues from all sides, I can effectively advise our clients to minimize their risk
  • Commercial Litigation I litigate complex commercial matters in industries ranging from technology to logistics and insurance, and in a variety of practice areas, including antitrust, insurance, and trade secrets
  • I coordinate strategy for, handle administrative appeals regarding, and litigate all manner of FOIA and state public records act matters

Practice Areas Explained

Matthew A. Richards's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Matthew A. Richards handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Construction Law

Matthew A. Richards is one of 40,689 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in California →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in California

Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in San Francisco are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in San Francisco or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Matthew A. Richards

Where is Matthew A. Richards's law office located?
Matthew A. Richards's law practice is located in San Francisco, California. The firm is Nixon Peabody LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Matthew A. Richards handle?
Matthew A. Richards focuses on construction. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
Where did Matthew A. Richards go to law school?
Matthew A. Richards earned their education at (J.D., 2004).
How can I contact Matthew A. Richards for a consultation?
You can contact Matthew A. Richards directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Matthew A. Richards received?
Matthew A. Richards's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Antitrust; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction.

Practice Areas

Education

J.D.
University of California Hastings College of the Law
- 2004

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Antitrust
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Real Estate
- 2026

Bar Admissions

California, The State Bar of California

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