Matthew P. French is an attorney at Wisner Baum’s Los Angeles office, where he focuses his practice on the firm’s commercial transportation accident cases. Led by a strong desire to help people when they need it most, Matthew’s clients appreciate his empathetic approach to how he handles his cases.
Before coming to Wisner Baum, Matthew was an associate attorney at a Los Angeles area law firm where he focused on personal injury cases and handled all aspects of civil litigation.
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KGO ABC7 News interviewed Wisner Baum wildfire attorney Matthew French about the Fire Victim Trust. Matt explained his Camp Fire clients’ frustration with the Trust. Watch it here.
A graduate of Southwestern Law School’s SCALE 2-year accelerated JD program, Matthew externed for a Federal District Court magistrate judge and an assistant city attorney. As a Judicial Extern in California's Central District of the United States District Court, Matthew performed legal research, drafted orders, attended settlement and discovery conferences and hearings, and observed multiple civil and criminal trials.
During Matthew's externship with an assistant city attorney, he drafted a city business tax ordinance, related resolution, and staff report; motions, notices of rulings, discovery requests, and various pre-trial memos; and assisted with hearing preparations and strategy, including closing arguments.
In addition to the vital experience gained in his externships, Matthew served as a Senior Advocate in Southwestern Law School’s Trial Advocacy Honors Program, winning first place in their annual competition.
Matthew graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Los Angeles, with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology. He later earned a master’s degree in Education while working for eight years as a public school teacher and leader for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
When Matthew is not advocating for his clients, he enjoys traveling (having visited 23 countries so far), scuba diving, and cooking.
Practice Areas
Education
- Southwestern Law School, Los Angeles (J.D., Civil Litigation and Advocacy concentration, and Public Service Distinction, 2019)
- University of Phoenix (M.A., in Education, Secondary Education, 2011)
- California State University, Los Angeles (B.A., in Anthropology, summa cum laude, and Honors in Anthropology, 2009)
- Co-President, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (2009)
- Senior Advocate, Trial Advocacy Honors Program
- Vice President SCALE, Student Bar Association, Southwestern Law School
- Public Service Distinction Award
- First Place, Trial Advocacy Honors Program’s JEBS Competition
- Honorable Mention, Moot Court Intramural Competition
- Treasurer of Southwestern's OUTLaw Group
- Student Liaison for the LGBT Bar of Los Angeles
- Regional Vice-Chair for the National LGBT Bar's Student Congress
- Student Member of Southwestern Law School's Diversity Committee and Curriculum Committee
Court Admissions
- California, 2019
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 2019
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 2022
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California, 2022
Awards and Honors
Member
- State Bar of California
- Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles
- Diversity and Inclusion Committee
- Consumer Attorneys of California, President’s Club Benefactor
- The American Association for Justice; Leaders Forum - Champion; LGBT Caucus; Trucking Litigation Group
- Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America
- Board member and Co-Vice President of Southwestern Law School’s Nickel Club
- LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
- National Institute for Trial Advocacy
- American Inns of Court
- Executive Board Member for The Southwestern Law School Inn of Court, 2022
- Co-Chair the Awards Committee for The Southwestern Law School Inn of Court, 2022
Presentations / Speeches
- ABA/AALS Accreditation, Southwestern Law School, Site Visit Meeting with Alumni, Adjuncts, Externship Site Supervisors, and Judges, Southwestern Law School (via Zoom), March 2022
- Personal Jurisdiction Oral Arguments, Southwestern Law School, SCALE Personal Jurisdiction Oral Arguments (Judge), Southwestern Law School (via Zoom), March 2022
- “What I Wish I Would’ve Known in My First Few Years of Practice”, Southwestern Law School Intellectual Property Law Society, Entertainment Law Society, DTP, and the Nickel Club, An Entertainment and IP Panel, Los Angeles, CA via Zoom, March 2022
- Legal Implications of Business Non-Compliance with COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates, Southwestern Law School, Southwestern Law School’s Inn of Court, Los Angeles, CA, October 2021
- E-Discovery MCLE, Southwestern Law School, Inn of Court, 2021
- “History and Legal Status of Hemp,” Evolution of Cannabis Law, Southwestern Law School, 2019
Pro Bono and Civic Activities
- Commendation from the County of Los Angeles, 2019: “For dedicated service to the affairs of the community and for the civic pride demonstrated by numerous contributions for the benefit of all residents of Los Angeles County.”
- Certificate of Recognition from Senator Kamala Harris, 2019: “In honor of your dedicated service to Southwestern Law School’s Public Service Program and commitment to advancing access to justice for communities across Los Angeles.”
- Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Los Angeles, 2019: “In recognition for your participation in Southwestern Law School’s Public Service Program.”
- W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services from the California Lawyers Association, 2019: “For voluntary provision of legal services to the poor or disadvantaged, improving the law and the legal system and increasing access to justice.”
- Certificate of Recognition from the California Department of Education, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, 2018: “For outstanding service on the Health Education Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee and your dedication to improving health education for all California students.”
- Certificate of Appreciation, 2016: “In honor of your service and dedication as Vice-Chair of the Governing Board at the Academic Leadership Community.”
