Atty. Matthew Preusch

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.

Santa Barbara Santa Barbara 13 yrs experience 13 year
Call (971) 397-6215 Book Appointment

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. Serands clients in Santa Barbara, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • 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 Practice

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

Drug Crimes

Matthew Preusch is one of 6,966 drug crimes attorneys indexed nationally. Browse drug crimes attorneys in California →

Personal Injury

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 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →

Class Action

Matthew Preusch is one of 26,424 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in California →

Product Liability

Matthew Preusch is one of 66,193 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in California →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Matthew Preusch is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation 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 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 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 Santa Barbara or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Matthew Preusch

Where is Matthew Preusch's law office located?
Matthew Preusch's law practice is located in Santa Barbara, California. The firm is Keller Rohrback L.L.P.. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Matthew Preusch handle?
Matthew Preusch focuses on drug crimes, personal injury, class action, product liability, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
How long has Matthew Preusch practiced law?
Matthew Preusch has 13+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 2013.
Where did Matthew Preusch go to law school?
Matthew Preusch earned their education at (J.D., 2013); (B.A. Politics, 2000).
How can I contact Matthew Preusch for a consultation?
You can contact Matthew Preusch 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.

Education

J.D.
Lewis & Clark Law School,
- 2013
B.A. Politics
Pomona College
- 2000

Bar Admissions

Oregon
Admitted: 2013
California
Admitted: 2014
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Admitted: 2014
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
Admitted: 2014
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Admitted: 2014
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Admitted: 2014
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Admitted: 2014
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
Admitted: 2018

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