Matthew J. Kemner

Dr. Matthew Kemner’s clients are predominantly German and US companies involved in matters across the globe. They turn to him to help them bridge the gaps – cultural, language, business, and legal – whenever they face legal disputes or business challenges.

Fluent in English and German, and proficient in Russian, Matthew has spent much of his career in civil litigation cases that have a significant international component. He tried his first case in Texas more than 20 years ago, and has since represented European, Asian and US clients in a wide range of product liability, class action, intellectual property, ATCA, commercial and international law disputes.

Matthew has also successfully argued appeals throughout the US, including but not limited, to California, Texas, Nevada, and various US federal courts. Equally at home in a US courtroom or a European arbitration panel, Matthew understands the expectations and apprehensions of European business people, and he excels at helping them win favorable outcomes in what is, for them, a foreign legal system.

They particularly turn to Matthew to keep them out of US courts whenever possible. Recognized as a leader in the field of personal jurisdiction law, he has a long and successful track record of both challenging the jurisdiction of US courts and defending the due process rights of non-US defendants.

His clients appreciate his zeal for winning such cases early – on cutting­edge legal arguments – rather than by pursuing lengthy and costly litigation. The trust he earns has become the basis of many strong long-term client relationships.

Although primarily practicing in litigation, Matthew’s transactional practice has been significant as well, including major transactions as diverse as the purchase of international state-owned rail companies, and the sale of a large US oil company.

Memberships and Affiliations:

• Texas Bar Association
• Missouri Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• International Bar Association
• German American Lawyers Association
• Bar Association of San Francisco

Education:

• The University of Konstanz, Ph.D., magna cum laude, 1996
• University of Missouri, J.D., 1991
• Southern Methodist University, B.A., honors, 1988