About Matt Lavine
Matt Lavine has been practicing law in Maryland and Washington, D.C. for twenty-five years.
After graduating from the Johns Hopkins University in 1981, Lavine simultaneously received a J.D. from Duke Law School and an M.A. from the Duke University Graduate School. He then served as a judicial clerk for the Hon. John J. Garrity of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals.
Following the clerkship, Lavine worked as a contract attorney with the Maryland Public Defender’s trial division and held an “of counsel” position with a local real estate and zoning firm. With the former, Lavine achieved substantial success in defending indigents accused of crimes. With the latter, Lavine litigated multi-million dollar commercial real estate disputes.
Opening his own office in 1988, Lavine focused on criminal defense and civil rights. His cases led to changes in the way a University conducted its security and to the disciplinary system of a local school district. Lavine also represented a woman assaulted by her boss and not only won at trial but also on appeal. The cases set the precedent for wrongful termination in Maryland.
In a vigorously contested federal suit, Lavine represented a commercial real estate developer who disputed the meaning of a contract. Making the case particularly difficult was the fact that Lavine's client had written the contract and had ignored the defects for nearly one year before notifying the opposing party.
To limit the impact of his client’s nebulous reactions, Lavine presented three experts to demonstrate the nature and extent of the defects. Even after the evidence was presented, the defense maintained its position that it had neither liability nor exposure.
Lavine won a verdict of $500,000 for his client.
Over the last several years, Lavine has consulted with law firms to improve their productivity, and he serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland's University College.