Practice Areas
Admissions
- Ohio, 1992
- Michigan, 1995
- U.S. District Courts:
-Northern District of Ohio, 1993
-Eastern District of Michigan, 1993 - U.S. Courts of Appeals:
-Sixth Circuit, 1993
-Third Circuit, 1999 - Federal Court of Claims, 2008
Clerkships
- Hon. Richard F. Suhrheinrich of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Education
University of Toledo College of Law, J.D. magna cum laude, 1992
Ashland University, B.A. magna cum laude, 1989
Profile
“To Kill a Mockingbird says, ‘Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets.’ I try to live this way in my practice and daily life.”
A trial lawyer, Matthew D. Harper represents clients in a wide range of business, construction, trust, land use, eminent domain, and real estate disputes in state and federal courts throughout Ohio and Michigan. Mr. Harper is listed by Best Lawyers in America® for the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction, and Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. He is a member of Eastman & Smith’s Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights, Business Litigation, Construction Law, Aggregates and Industrial Minerals, and Eminent Domain Practice Groups. Engaged in the private practice of law since 1993, Mr. Harper has been lead counsel in numerous jury and non-jury trials, as well as arbitrations. He has also provided expert testimony regarding attorney’s fees claims.
In 1989, Mr. Harper obtained his bachelor of arts degree, magna cum laude, from Ashland University where he was named the Criminal Justice Outstanding Senior. Mr. Harper obtained his law degree, magna cum laude, in 1992 from the University of Toledo College of Law where he was the managing editor of the law review, a member of the Order of the Coif, and named the Outstanding College of Law Graduate. Following his graduation from law school, Mr. Harper served for one year as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard F. Suhrheinrich of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Mr. Harper presents regularly on various topics relating to business and construction law to groups such as the Construction Financial Management Association (annual conference), the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association, the Mechanical Contractors' Association of Northwest Ohio, the Toledo Board of Realtors and the Toledo Chamber of Commerce. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Toledo College of Law.
In addition to spending time with his wife, children and granddaughter, Mr. Harper enjoys fishing, camping, hiking, recreational shooting and reading.
