Eric Matzke

Skilled and connected product liability and business counsel

Eric Matzke is an experienced litigator who represents clients in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Advising clients across a variety of industries – including heavy industrial manufacturing, consumer products, recreational and commercial pool products, automotive, commercial construction, food manufacturing, agriculture, sports and entertainment, high tech manufacturing and supply chain – he focuses on:

• Product liability litigation
• Product risk management
• Commercial litigation
• Outside general counsel support

In addition to his experience as a litigator, clients appreciate Eric’s role as a problem solver and sounding board invested in their long-term business success. He networks regularly and broadly, enabling him to be not only a trusted advisor but a connector, finding new and relevant resources to help clients grow their businesses.

• Representing clients in product liability lawsuits involving death and significant personal injury. Eric has defended manufacturers of motorcycles, heavy industrial machinery, mining equipment, cranes, recreational and commercial pool products, food products, aviation manufacturers and manufacturers of industrial valves, tanks and pressurized systems.
• Preparing and deposing expert witnesses in a variety of technical fields, including mechanical engineering, product design, human factors, materials science, metallurgical and accident reconstruction experts.
• Advising on strategies for risk management, making products safer and other issues related to product liability, such as product design and modification, field issues, retrofits and indemnity.
• Advising on commercial litigation and dispute resolution, including supplier disputes, breach of contract, breach of warranty and other commercial matters.

• Represented a vehicle manufacturer in a $50 million product liability trial in Phoenix and secured a full defense verdict.

• Represented a manufacturer in a $24 million product liability trial in California state court, resulting in a full defense verdict.

• Represented a water tank manufacturer in a $12 million product liability trial in federal court in Louisiana, resulting in a defense verdict.
• Serves as chief legal advisor to TitletownTech, a technology venture fund.
• Advises a variety of manufacturers on commercial and supplier disputes.
• Obtained a dismissal on behalf of a mining equipment manufacturer in a traumatic brain injury case involving a portable rock crushing plant.
• Represented a manufacturer at a wrongful death trial involving a motorcycle helmet where the jury returned a defense verdict.
• Obtained a dismissal on behalf of a pump manufacturer in a wrongful death action arising from the explosion of a vertical slurry pump.
• Represents a national music organization in copyright infringement actions.
• Represented a pro bono client in a jury trial involving a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim arising from alleged First Amendment retaliation.