Matthew Benedetto has more than 15 years' experience representing clients in complex civil, criminal and administrative matters, often involving crisis management and public policy responses. Mr. Benedetto co-chairs the firm's False Claims Act Group and has extensive experience representing pharmaceutical companies, healthcare companies and financial institutions in both federal and state False Claims Act actions. In the healthcare space, he has unique experience litigating California's Insurance Frauds Prevention Act, a qui tam statute in the Insurance Code, including arguing before the California Court of Appeal.

Since April 2020, Mr. Benedetto has written extensively about the FCA implications of the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also provided FCA compliance counseling to a range of clients addressing CARES Act issues, including funding through the Paycheck Protection Program. 

In the past year, Mr. Benedetto has represented a major financial institution in a number of state false claims act litigations around the country involving municipal bonds; a major financial institution in a series of putative class action lawsuits involving marketing of digital payment services; an automotive manufacturer in a federal criminal investigation of marketing practices; a healthcare company serving senior citizens in a federal FCA investigation; and a public hospital system in a federal FCA investigation of billing practices.

In 2016, the National LGBT Bar Association named Mr. Benedetto to its list of “Best LGBT Attorneys Under the Age of 40.” He was also selected to be a fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

Before pursuing his law degree, Mr. Benedetto taught English at Phillips Academy, Andover, and pursued a PhD in English at The Johns Hopkins University.

Government Investigations

Mr. Benedetto has represented clients before federal and state regulatory and law enforcement agencies, including the SEC, the California Attorney General’s Office, multiple US Attorneys' Offices and Main Justice. Investigations have concerned allegations of: false claims act violations; securities, accounting and other frauds; consumer fraud; financial reporting and disclosure improprieties; export and trade controls; and privacy–related violations.

Internal Investigations

Mr. Benedetto has led and participated in internal investigations concerning: sexual misconduct by an executive; consumer privacy–related improprieties; consumer fraud allegations; misrepresentations; misappropriation of assets; financial fraud; and non-compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.

Litigation

Mr. Benedetto has litigated cases in federal and state trial and appellate courts, including the US Supreme Court. He has argued writs and appeals in the California appellate courts. Matters have included: state and federal False Claims Act violations; securities fraud; consumer fraud; breaches of contract, false advertising and other business torts; and consumer privacy actions.

Pro Bono

Mr. Benedetto serves on the firmwide Pro Bono and Public Service Committee and the West Coast Diversity Committee. In 2016, he received the firm's Pickering Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service. In 2021, he joined the Board of Directors of Bet Tzedek, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free legal services and advocacy on behalf of low-income individuals and families.   

In his pro bono practice, Mr. Benedetto obtained in 2015 a rare federal jury verdict in favor of his client, a California state prisoner, in a First Amendment retaliation case brought against state correctional officers. The verdict was covered by the Daily Journal and the San Francisco Chronicle. He argued an appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of another California state prisoner in a federal challenge to his conditions of confinement. 

Mr. Benedetto also successfully represented a disabled, gay Army veteran in a federal challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act, obtaining summary judgment in her favor in an action which sought disability compensation for her same-sex spouse. He has also represented multiple veterans before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, in connection with claims for service-connected benefits. In the past year, he has taken on multiple representations challenging state laws that ban transgender athletes from participating in high school sports. 

Professional Activities

Mr. Benedetto is a member of the Board of Directors of Bet Tzedek, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free legal services and advocacy on behalf of low-income individuals and families. He was the 2015 Co-President of the LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles, an affinity group of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He was also on the Board of Directors of USC Lambda LGBT Alumni Association.