Matthew D. Seeley

Matthew (Matt) Seeley is a litigator who works with business owners, in-house counsel, project executives, and managers to provide legal advice focused on construction and business law. Clients include general contractors, subcontractors, engineering firms, and owners.

Matt’s practice involves complex and large-scale public and private works, owner/ general contractor disputes, general/subcontractor disputes, joint-venture disputes, False Claims Act litigation, qui tam/whistleblower claims, contract defaults, surety bond and Miller Act claims, public bidding and bid protests, subcontractor substitutions, and lien law. His practice also includes trademarks, contract negotiations, and other general business litigation such as breach of contract actions, commercial disputes, and more.

Matt’s strong work ethic, attention to detail, and team-oriented nature fit right in at Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP. He is keenly aware of our clients’ propensity to focus on the business of construction and getting the job done. It is also why Matt’s ability to work efficiently is welcomed by clients seeking to achieve cost-effective objectives.

Matt received his law degree from the University of San Diego where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, was awarded the Dean’s Outstanding Scholarship, and was a member of the mock trial team. Matt began his career at Finch Thornton & Baird LLP as a law clerk and also spent a semester of law school at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. Matt earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Washington.

After over three years as an attorney in our primary San Diego office, Matt moved home to Washington state to assist the firm with opening its first Seattle-area office. Matt now practices in both Washington and California.

PUBLIC BIDDING AND BID PROTESTs

Matt represents general contractors during the bidding and award process on a variety of public works projects. Matt understands the intricacies of public bidding laws and the bid protest process. His practice has focused on both filing bid protests and defending against bid protests on multiple types of public works projects including hard bid contracts, lease-leaseback contracts, and best-value contracts.

GENERAL LITIGATION

For businesses and individuals, Matt delivers legal counsel, practical advice, and aggressive representation to general litigation matters. These include breach of contract actions, product and services contract issues, home construction disputes, neighbor disputes, and more. Matt’s ability to adapt arguments for novel factual circumstances benefit our clients’ interests. Pre-litigation resolution of claims helps to minimize the duration and cost of legal services necessary.

MECHANIC’S LIEN, STOP PAYMENT NOTICE, AND BOND CLAIMS

The need for fair and prompt resolution of payment claims are regular occurrences for general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and sureties. Each has their own set of priorities, too. To make sense of it all demands knowledge of the statutory requirements for making claims and the provisions that allow for withholding funds when appropriate. Fully understanding the details of claims brought against firm clients is imperative. From aggressively fighting trumped-up or illegitimate claims, to getting subcontractors and suppliers paid, to ensuring equitable distribution of claims among the surety or co-sureties, Matt provides valuable assistance to accomplish your goals.

Federal Procurement and CLAIMS

The highly regulated federal construction domain presents frequent challenges to both federal prime contractors and subcontractors.  Payment disputes with the government or between subcontractors and prime contractors are common.  Matt works with contractors on issues relating to the Federal Acquisition Regulations, the Request for Equitable Adjustment (REA) process, and the Contract Disputes Act and Miller Act.