Matthew R. Devine

Partner, Chicago

Biography

Recognized by Chambers USA and Legal 500 US for his work in complex commercial litigation disputes, clients have praised Matt Devine as “an incredibly talented litigator and trial lawyer” and as a “gifted strategist and tactician” with “unparalleled instincts” and a “unique ability to connect with his clients in a way that engenders genuine trust, which leads to long- standing relationships and great results and experiences for his clients.”

Chambers USA describes Matt as a “go-to trial lawyer . . . noted for his sophisticated representation in class action defense, trade secrets and breach of contract related litigation.”

“He is an incredible lawyer, and his pragmatism and understanding of the big picture are valued. Matthew provides high-level strategic thinking and is a fantastic litigator.”
Chambers USA, 2024

Overview

Matt Devine is a partner in White & Case LLP's Chicago office and serves as the Office Executive Partner for the Chicago office, responsible for leading nearly 100 Chicago-based lawyers and business professionals in serving the firm's clients. Matt has extensive first-chair experience leading trial teams in state and federal courts around the country, as well as private arbitrations. Matt represents clients in high-stakes commercial disputes posing reputational risk to clients that are in the media spotlight.

Matt's practice focuses on heavily litigated aspects of business law, particularly class action defense, trade secrets, restrictive covenants, shareholder derivative actions and high stakes "mass raid" cases, as well as representing corporate clients in responding to inquiries and subpoenas from government regulators. Matt leads sensitive internal investigations for corporate clients.

Matt has served as lead counsel for Fortune 500 companies and other clients in a variety of high-profile business litigation matters, including representing a major global airline in litigation arising out of an airline disaster and recently defeating class action matters against a Big Ten university and a global financial services company.

Matt has an active pro bono practice representing indigent criminal defendants in state and federal court. Crain's Chicago Business recognized Matt as a 2024 Notable Leader in Law. Matt's peers selected him for The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 in consumer litigation.

Bars and Courts
Illinois
US District Court for the Central District of Illinois
US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
US District Court for the Western District of Michigan
US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Education
JD
Loyola University, Chicago

School of Law

BA
University of Iowa
Languages
English

Experience

Represented Bayport Financial Holdings USA and Bayport Colombia S.A. in "mass raid" litigation in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Represented Novanta, Inc. a NASDAQ-listed medical device company, in litigation in the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida, alleging violations of the Lanham Act. Matter was successfully resolved after discovery.

Represented Fitness International, d/b/a as LA Fitness, which operates the largest chain of fitness centers in the U.S., in a putative class action filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, which sought millions in fees after COVID-19 and related government orders forced the centers to close. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois granted LA Fitness's motion to dismiss the complaint with prejudice.

Represented Goldentree Asset Management, a global credit asset manager with approximately $47 billion AUM, in a cross-border contract dispute. The matter resulted in a successful confidential resolution.

Represented LED Cove Asset Finance in breach of contract litigation filed in Illinois state court against Align Business Finance. The matter resulted in a successful confidential resolution.

Represented Morningstar, a leading provider of independent investment research, in an independent internal investigation into whether ESG ratings products demonstrated anti-Israel bias.

Represented a publicly traded energy company in a AAA arbitration involving a contract dispute with a top executive. The matter resulted in a confidential and successful resolution.

Publications

Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts (5th ed.), Warranties (Thomson Reuters)

Class and Group Actions 2022, International Comparative Legal Guide, 14th Ed., November 2021

Class and Group Actions 2021: Developments and Trends in Collective Actions, International Comparative Legal Guide, 13th Ed., November 2020

Class Actions, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education 2020

Illinois Civil Litigation Guide

Awards and Recognition

Best Lawyers in America 2024 – Consumer Law

2024 Notable Leader in Law, Crain's Chicago Business

US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association
"Excellence in Pro Bono Service" - 2016