J. Matt Thornton is an associate in the Litigation Group. Matt's practice focuses on commercial litigation in both federal and state courts, including individual actions and class action defense, privacy and cybersecurity matters, product liability and mass tort, and disputes implicating the First Amendment.
Matt is involved in all aspects of his cases and prides himself in providing creative, business-oriented solutions for his clients. Among other things, Matt has extensive experience briefing dispositive motions, defending discovery disagreements, handling third-party discovery disputes, arguing substantive motions in court, preparing witnesses to give testimony, taking and defending depositions, negotiating individual and class action settlements, spearheading mediation, and maintaining clear, concise, and timely communications with clients.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Successfully assisted a restaurant owner in challenging a citation issued by City for violating sign ordinance. The City reversed the citation and amended its sign ordinance to remove provision banning signs that “that an average reasonable person would find highly offensive to public decency."
- Defended large product liability class actions alleging breach of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, express and implied warranties, and myriad consumer protection statutes.
- Represented a hemp startup in a partnership dispute, in which he helped the client regain control of the company, secure the company’s assets, and expel all wrongdoers.
Professional Highlights
Judicial Internships
In law school, Matt served as a Judicial Intern for Justice Gregory Hobbs, Jr. of the Colorado Supreme Court.
Professional Activities
American Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
Denver Bar Association
Recognition & Accomplishments
The Best Lawyers in America, "Ones to Watch," Appellate (Denver), Commercial Litigation (Denver), 2022
Board Memberships & Community Service
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Publications
Co-author, "Exploring the Rise in State Wiretap Claims," JD Supra, March 4, 2021
Co-author, "Government Attorneys—Tell Your Clients They Can't Censor People on Social Media," Bloomberg Law Insight, September 3, 2019
Co-author, "Oregon, New York, Alabama, and Rhode Island Join List of States Considering Data Breach Legislation Post-Equifax," Pratt's Privacy & Cybersecurity Law Report, May 2018
Co-author, "Flooring It into the Future with Self-Driving Cars," ColoradoBiz Magazine, July 13, 2017
Co-author, "Overview of the Association of Corporate Counsel Model Information Protection and Security Controls for Outside Counsel Possessing Company Confidential Information," Ballard Spahr memo, April 2017
Credentials
Education
University of Denver, Sturm College of Law (J.D. 2015; Order of St. Ives)
Denver University Law Review, Staff Editor; Denver Journal of International Law and Policy, Staff Editor
Jessup International Moot Court Team, Captain
Virginia Commonwealth University (M.A. Economics, magna cum laude)
Virginia Commonwealth University (B.S. Economics, magna cum laude)
Admissions
Colorado
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit