He focuses on a wide range of business transactional matters, including corporate finance and securities, mergers and acquisitions and related acquisition financings, and the representation of banks and other financial institutions in connection with regulatory matters.  His recent transactional experience includes:

• Representation of public companies in connection with meeting SEC periodic reporting obligations, including companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
• Representation of banks and other financial institutions in connection with branch sale and acquisition transactions, as well as “entire bank” transactions structured as mergers and other stock transactions.
• Representation of privately held companies in a variety of industries in connection with sales of assets to both public and private acquisition entities.
• Representation of issuers in connection with private and public offerings of equity and debt securities.
• Representation of borrowers, lenders, and loan participants in connection with financing transactions involving both secured and unsecured and senior and subordinated debt.
• Representation of family-owned and other closely-held businesses in connection with a wide variety of general corporate matters.

Matt currently serves as President of Ruder Ware and has been a long-time member of the firm’s Board of Directors.  He uses his leadership position to develop our young attorneys and position them for significant client responsibility and firm leadership roles.  Matt’s leadership ability is recognized outside of the firm as well—he recently completed his tenure as Chairman of the Board for Aspirus, Inc., an integrated health system with approximately $2 billion of annual net patient revenue that delivers comprehensive health care services through a network of hospitals, clinics, and other facilities located in Wisconsin and upper Michigan.

The firm’s philosophy of giving back to the community and the legal profession has resonated with Matt, and he has served as an officer and director of a number of community and civic organizations during his career, including private philanthropic foundations such as the Dan Storey Foundation, Inc. and the Victor and Helen Geisel Foundation, Inc.  Matt has also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Meritas®, a global alliance of more than 180 business-focused law firms located in 87 countries around the world.  He is currently serving as Vice Chair of Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership, Ltd., an organization focused on economic development in the Wausau area, as well as a member of the Advisory Board of the University of Wisconsin Law School’s Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic.

Matt is happily married to his wife, Lori, and is the proud father of three daughters who “keep him on his toes” each day.  In his spare time (when he is not transporting his daughters to various activities), Matt is an avid reader who also enjoys golf and bow hunting.

Civic Activities

• Aspirus, Inc. – Director and Chairman (2009–2020)
• Dan Storey Foundation, Inc. – Director and President (2004–present)
• Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership, Ltd. – Director and Vice Chair (2019–present)
• Victor and Helen Geisel Foundation, Inc. – Director and Treasurer (2017–present)
• Wausau Area Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. – Director and President (2009–2014)

Professional Activities

• American Bar Association – Negotiated Acquisitions Committee, Banking Law Committee, Federal Regulation of Securities Committee
• American Bar Foundation – Fellow
• Meritas – Primary Contact; Member of Finance Committee (2013–present); Board Member (2014–2017)
• State Bar of Wisconsin – Business Law Section Member, Director; Working Group on Wisconsin Uniform Securities Act (2002–2007)
• University of Wisconsin Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic – Advisory Committee Member