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Experienced Nationwide Trial Lawyers

Matthew W. Lytle

Throughout his practice, Matt has represented clients ranging from individuals to privately held and publicly traded corporations in various state and federal courts nationwide, and in arbitrations with the AAA and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Matt’s experience covers all phases of the litigation process including case strategy, pre-trial briefing and motion practice, depositions and discovery, dispositive motion practice, trial preparation, trial, and appeals.

Matt’s representative litigation experience includes representing both plaintiffs and defendants in disputes involving claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, breach of contract, and civil RICO, as well as consumer class action and whistleblower claims.

In addition to litigation, Matt has experience in the area of white collar defense and investigations, and has represented clients in investigations by various federal agencies including the CFTC and the USDA.

Matt was named a “Rising Star” (2011, 2012) and a “Super Lawyer” (since 2013) by Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers. Matt was also named to the 2012 BTI Client Service All-Stars, a select group of only 272 lawyers nationwide who are chosen solely on unprompted, unequivocal recommendations by corporate counsel for their understanding of business issues, innovative approaches to legal services, and commitment to client needs.

Matt is a native of Colorado and spent fifteen years in Omaha, Nebraska, where he began his legal career at a large regional law firm. After moving to Kansas City, he practiced in large national and international law firms before joining Miller Schirger. Prior to becoming an attorney, Matt served on the staff of a Member of the United States House of Representatives and worked as a licensed stock broker.

See Matthew W. Lytle's Full Printable Profile.

Missouri Lawyers Awards - 2019 Super Lawyers BTI Client Service All Stars Super Lawyers Rising Stars

Bar Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Nebraska (inactive)
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court District of Nebraska
  • U.S. District Court District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit

Education

  • Creighton University School of Law
    • Juris Doctor (Magna Cum Laude) - 2004
  • Creighton University
    • Bachelor of Arts - 1996

Representative Cases

  • Business Litigation — Multivac, Inc. vs. Rotella’s Italian Bakery, Inc., Represented defendant / counterclaimant in case involving claims for breach of contract, and counterclaims for repudiation of contract and breach of express and implied warranties, among others, related to the purchase of a vacuum-seal packaging machine. A four-day jury trial in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, resulted in verdicts in client’s favor on the plaintiff’s claim for breach of contract, and the client’s counterclaims for repudiation of contract and breach of express warranty.
  • Business Litigation — Represented plaintiff and counter-defendant propane company in protracted litigation involving claims for alleged overcharges related to vehicle refurbishing services and counterclaims against client seeking damages of $6.97 million for alleged breach of contract and business torts. A nine day jury trial in the Circuit Court for Jackson County, Missouri, produced a favorable result for the client, including the client paying less than 10% of the counter-claim damages sought.
  • Cost of Insurance Class Action – Spegele v. USAA Life Insurance Company, Represented plaintiff class of policyholders in nationwide class action involving cost of insurance overcharges in life insurance policies. USAA agreed to settle the case for $90 million that will be distributed to approximately 110,000 policyholders. (Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division 2017).
  • Cost of Insurance Class Action – Vogt v. State Farm Life Insurance Company, Represented plaintiff Missouri class of policyholders in class action trial involving cost of insurance overcharges in life insurance policies. Jury awarded policyholder class $34.3 million and determined that State Farm had systematically overcharged policyholder class (Western District of Missouri, Central Division 2018); affirmed on appeal (8th Cir. 2020).
  • Cost of Insurance Class Action - Larson v. John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Represented plaintiff class of policyholders in nationwide class action involving cost of insurance overcharges in life insurance policies. John Hancock agreed to settle the case for $59.75 million that will be distributed to approximately 103,000 policyholders. (Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, Oakland, CA 2018)
  • Cost of Insurance Class Action — Bezich v. Lincoln Nat’l. Life Ins. Co., Represented plaintiff class of policyholders in nationwide class action against The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company alleging life insurance policy overcharges including “cost of insurance” overcharges. Lincoln National agreed to settle the case by, among other things, issuing term life insurance certificates to a settlement class consisting of approximately 77,000 policy owners across 30 states. The term life insurance certificates have a total face amount of death benefits estimated at $2.25 billion, with a market value of approximately $171.8 million. (Allen County Circuit Court, Fort Wayne, IN 2016)
  • Cost of Insurance Class Action — Bezich v. Lincoln Nat'l. Life Ins. Co., Represented plaintiff in alleged class action involving cost of insurance overcharges in life insurance policies. Case of first impression holding Class Action Fairness Act’s (CAFA) securities exception allowed alleged class action involving variable life insurance policy to proceed forward in state court; case was not subject to removal to federal court. (7th Cir. 2010)
  • Cost of Insurance Class Action — Freeman Investments, L.P. v. Pac. Life Ins. Co., Represented plaintiff in alleged class action involving cost of insurance overcharges in life insurance policies. Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act (SLUSA) did not preclude plaintiff's claim for breach of contract even though such claim was related to the purchase or sale of a covered security under SLUSA (9th Cir. 2013)
  • Securities Litigation — Represented plaintiff Colorado Bank in dispute with its broker-dealer involving the marketing and sale of mortgage-backed securities. Confidential settlement reached for client resulting in substantial recovery. Within two weeks of finalizing the settlement, regulatory officials substantially upgraded the Bank's rating.
  • Securities Litigation — Represented plaintiff Texas bank in dispute with its broker-dealer involving the marketing and sale of mortgage-backed securities. Confidential settlement reached for client resulting in substantial recovery.
  • Securities Litigation — Represented individual investor in alleged ponzi scheme. Seven-figure settlement reached with broker/advisor; all invested funds were recovered for client.

Honors & Awards

  • The National Law Journal's Top 100 Verdicts 2018
  • Missouri Lawyers Awards – Top 5 Verdict in 2018
  • Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2011-2012
  • Super Lawyer, Thompson Reuters, 2013-2020
  • BTI Client Service All-Stars, 2012
  • Fellow – American Bar Association

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Missouri Bar Association
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Nebraska State Bar Association

Civic & Charitable Activities

  • Mock Trial Coach, Grain Valley High School