Atty. Matthew Preusch
Matthew Preusch is a partner at Keller Rohrback and practices in its nationally-recognized Complex Litigation Group. Matt focuses his work on cases that protect people and the environment.
Catastrophic Property Loss & More Attorney · Serving Santa Barbara, CA · 13+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Matthew Preusch at a Glance
Matthew Preusch is a Partner based in Santa Barbara, California, practicing at Keller Rohrback L.L.P.. They have 13+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2013. Their practice focuses on drug crimes, personal injury, class action, product liability, and litigation. Admitted to practice in Oregon (2013), California (2014), U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (2014), and U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California (2014). Educated at Lewis & Clark Law School, (J.D., 2013) and Pomona College (B.A. Politics, 2000). Active member of Professional & Civic Involvement American Bar Foundation, fellow Santa Barbara Bar Association, Member Underscore Media Collaboration, Board Member. Serves clients in Santa Barbara, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Matthew Preusch
- Matthew Preusch is a partner at Keller Rohrback and practices in its nationally-recognized Complex Litigation Group
- Matt focuses his work on cases that protect people and the environment
- He has helped initiate landmark consumer litigation related to Volkswagen’s “Clean Diesel” deceit and Wells Fargo’s unauthorized account scheme
- When studies of moss samples in trees in Portland, Oregon identified several pollution “hotspots” in that city, he and others at Keller Rohrback launched cases on behalf of residents that resulted in the largest environmental class action settlement in Oregon history
- More recently, he served as co-lead counsel representing survivors of four utility-caused wildfires in Oregon
- That case resulted in a historic, first-of-its-kind jury verdict finding a utility liable to a class for punitive damages
- In addition, Matt serves as individual plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel for the Marshall Fire litigation in Colorado
- Before joining Keller Rohrback, Matthew served as an honors attorney in the Oregon Department of Justice’s appellate and trial divisions
- He was a judicial extern for the Hon. Michael W. Mosman in the District of Oregon during law school
- Prior to his legal career, he spent 10 years as a journalist in the Pacific Northwest, covering regional and national news for The Oregonian, The New York Times and other publications
- Articles & Presentations •Speaker, National Wildland Fire Conference (April 2024). •Panelist, Bridgeport Consumer Class Action Litigation Conference, Current State of the Law on Ascertainability and Standing (January 2017). •Speaker, Bridgeport Environmental Class Action Webinar (March 2016). •Panelist, Lewis and Clark Law School, Public Interest Law Project, Cutting-Edge Bet the Company Mega Class Action CLE (February 2016). •Speaker, Harris Martin Porter Ranch Gas Leak Litigation Conference, Remedies (January 19, 2016). •Panelist, Bridgeport Consumer Class Action Litigation Conference, Current State of the Law on Ascertainability and Standing (January 2016). •Author, How to Ethically and Effectively Talk to Reporters, Environmental Law News, Vol. 25, No. 1 (Spring 2015). •Speaker, Dont Say, 'No Comment”: How To Ethically and Effectively Talk to Reporters, Santa Barbara County Bar Association (September 16, 2015). •Oregon State Bar Environmental & Natural Resources Section Case Notes (July 2015). •Author, Tim Weaver, Yakama Tribes Salmon Champion, Says His Goodbyes, The Oregonian (January 1, 2010). •Author, DEQ to Help Polluter Seek Federal Break on Mercury Emission, The Oregonian (Aug.ust19, 2009). •Author, Amid Forests Ashes, A Debate Over Logging Profits is Burning On, The New York Times (April 15, 2004)
- Recognitions Honors & Awards •Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers - The Green 500, 2025-2026 •Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Action - Plaintiffs - Santa Barbara, California, 2025 (Recognized since 2024) •National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, 2024-2026
Practice Areas Explained
Matthew Preusch's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Matthew Preusch handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Santa Barbara.
Drug Crimes in Santa Barbara
Matthew Preusch is one of 6,914 drug crimes attorneys indexed nationally. Browse drug crimes attorneys in California →
Personal Injury in Santa Barbara
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Matthew Preusch is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →
Class Action in Santa Barbara
Matthew Preusch is one of 26,226 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in California →
Product Liability in Santa Barbara
Matthew Preusch is one of 65,610 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in California →
Civil Litigation in Santa Barbara
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Matthew Preusch is one of 450,750 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Santa Barbara
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 Santa Barbara 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 venue, 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.
Santa Barbara Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Santa Barbara-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Santa Barbara or all attorneys in California.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Santa Barbara Choose Matthew Preusch
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Matthew Preusch's practice in the field of drug crimes, personal injury, class action, product liability, and litigation.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Matthew Preusch brings 13+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Oregon, California, and U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Matthew Preusch can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering drug crimes, personal injury, and class action, Matthew Preusch can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Santa Barbara
A Santa Barbara-based practice means Matthew Preusch attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Matthew Preusch Handles in Santa Barbara
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Matthew Preusch has experience with under California law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Matthew Preusch directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Matthew Preusch Online
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Matthew Preusch's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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