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. Matt also has experience litigating media and entertainment disputes, including defending defamation and privacy-related claims, obtaining access to government records, and safeguarding First Amendment rights.
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
- Secured early dismissal of privacy-related claims brought against film producer.
- Negotiated pre-motion dismissal of defamation claims brought against local blogger.
- Prevailed on summary judgment in a high-profile quasi contract dispute involving more than a billion dollars in alleged damages.
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
Related Insights
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
Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit