Matthew P. French - Los Angeles, CA

Overview

Matthew P. French focuses his practice on commercial transportation accident litigation at Wisner Baum's (formerly Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman) Los Angeles office. Driven by a passion for helping those who need it most, his clients know him for his empathetic and effective legal counsel.
Prior to joining Wisner Baum, Matthew worked at a Los Angeles law firm as an associate attorney. There, he handled all aspects of personal injury litigation and further honed his approach to legal representation.
Matthew also worked in two externships while attending Southwestern Law School's SCALE 2-year accelerated JD program. In the first, he was worked with an assistant city attorney. In this position, he drafted a city business tax ordinance, related resolution, staff report, and ballot filings. He also handled motions, notices of rulings, pretrial memos, and discovery requests, as well as assisted with hearing preparations and strategy, such as closing arguments. For his second externship, he served as a judicial extern for a federal magistrate judge in California's Central District of the United States District Court, where he conducted legal research, drafted orders, attended settlement and discovery conferences and hearings, and observed numerous civil and criminal trials.

Matthew graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Los Angeles with a bachelor's degree in anthropology. He went on to work as a public school teacher and school site leader for the Los Angeles Unified School District while also earning his master's degree in education. During this time, he was appointed by the state Board of Education to help rewrite the state's health education curriculum framework, with a focus on social justice and inclusion. Although he enjoyed teaching, he realized his true calling was the legal profession.

As a personal injury and wrongful death lawyer admitted to practice in California and the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Matthew is proud to be able to help injured Los Angeles residents, as well as clients from all over the U.S. He seeks to hold wrongdoers accountable and to help get clients back on their feet. Matthew and the firm both value case outcomes that have the power to change the way industry operates, helping to make similar incidents less likely to injure others in the future. . From airplane and helicopter accidents, to truck and bus crashes, he handles each case with compassion and laser focus.

Matthew's awards and professional memberships include:

• Listed, The Bar Register of Preeminent LawyersTM

• State Bar of California

• Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

• Consumer Attorneys of California, Diversity Committee

• American Association for Justice; Leaders Forum, LGBT Caucus

• Board member and Secretary of Southwestern Law School's Nickel Club alumni association

• LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

• National Institute for Trial Advocacy

When Matthew is not in the courtroom, boardroom, or office, he enjoys traveling (he has visited 23 countries and counting), scuba diving, and cooking. He also dedicates much of his free time to pro bono work and civic activities, which has resulted in the following honors:

• Commendation from the County of Los Angeles, 2019: "For dedicated service to the affairs of the community and for the civic pride demonstrated by numerous contributions for the benefit of all residents of Los Angeles County."

• Certificate of Recognition from Senator Kamala Harris, 2019: "In honor of your dedicated service to Southwestern Law School's Public Service Program and commitment to advancing access to justice for communities across Los Angeles."

• Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Los Angeles, 2019: "In recognition for your participation in Southwestern Law School's Public Service Program."

• W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services from the California Lawyers Association, 2019: "For voluntary provision of legal services to the poor or disadvantaged, improving the law and the legal system and increasing access to justice."

• Certificate of Recognition from the California Department of Education, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, 2018: "For outstanding service on the Health Education Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee and your dedication to improving health education for all California students."

• Certificate of Appreciation, 2016: "In honor of your service and dedication as Vice-Chair of the Governing Board at the Academic Leadership Community."

If you or a loved one is seeking skilled, compassionate legal counsel, do not hesitate to reach out to Matthew P. French at Wisner Baum. For more information, call to schedule a free, confidential consultation.