Skip to main content

Matt Forsgren

Partner

612.474.3301

Matt Forsgren

Matt has represented victims of fraud, embezzlement, and theft for 30 years. During his career, Matt has advocated for clients in over 50 trials and arbitrations. He has conducted numerous internal investigations without fear or favor. Matt also represents clients in civil cases involving business disputes, as well as companies and individuals against the government. Matt thoroughly enjoys cross-examining witnesses attempting to provide false testimony.

Matt has been recognized by his peers for his no-nonsense approach, and he is particularly grateful to fight for those facing powerful institutions. He is listed in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America (including as a Lawyer of the Year in Minnesota), and Super Lawyers (named to the Top 100 list). He has been named a Minnesota Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer.

Matt is a member of the Board of Directors for Northside Boxing Gym, whose mission includes teaching self-discipline and confidence to the youth of North Minneapolis by offering free boxing training, physical fitness, and nutrition five days a week.

Matt grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School.

Matt is a proud father of four adult sons. He likes walking his dog.

Business Disputes

In his commercial-litigation practice, Matt represents clients in a variety of high-stakes business disputes. He routinely defends and prosecutes claims of civil fraud and other business torts, including mass torts and class actions. Matt has extensive and unique experience in representing clients in securities-fraud matters, FINRA arbitrations, shareholder-derivative actions, and closely held corporate disputes, including in cases involving Special Litigation Committees. He represents parties in cases involving claims of misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information, as well as non-compete and non-solicitation agreements. Representative experience:

  • Represented executives of a Fortune 500 transportation-logistics company in a two-week jury trial involving allegations of tortious interference, non-compete violations, and violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
  • Represented a Fortune 500 transportation company in a five-week jury trial where personal-injury and property-owner plaintiffs claimed in excess of $100,000,000 in damages
  • Represented General Counsel of a Fortune 100 health-services company in connection with multiple class actions alleging securities fraud and seeking damages in excess of $1,000,000,000
  • Prosecuted claims aggregating over $100,000,000 on behalf of a group of institutional and individual investors against corporation and corporate officers in securities-fraud action involving repurchase of shares
  • Represented a Fortune 500 transportation company in mass tort class-action involving claims in excess of $1,000,000,000
  • Represented a Fortune 500 utility in multi-defendant mass-tort case involving personal-injury and property claims aggregating $50,000,000
  • Represented and coordinated the defense of a financial-services firm against civil allegations brought by a California county for disgorgement of millions of dollars in underwriting-related fees
  • Represented and coordinated the defense of a corporation facing claims and inquiries in separate proceedings in four federal courts in connection with a $3,000,000,000 Ponzi scheme
  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of the President of a transportation company in closely-held shareholder dispute where the plaintiff claimed damages in excess of $10,000,000 and excessive compensation
  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of directors of corporation on business-judgment-rule grounds in multi-million-dollar shareholder-derivative action
  • Represented business and its CEO in multi-million-dollar lawsuit against competitor for breach of contract and various business torts
  • Represented individual and corporation against corporate competitor in non-compete case involving proceedings in three federal jurisdictions
  • Represented national airline in over 20 arbitrations as well as multiple federal-court proceedings in which temporary and preliminary injunctive relief was obtained
  • Represented numerous businesses and individuals in disputes involving non-competition agreements, as well as disputes concerning misappropriation of confidential information and trade secrets
  • Represented numerous shareholders in prosecuting and defending claims in closely-held shareholder disputes
  • Represented numerous corporations and officers in shareholder derivative lawsuits relating to allegations of commercial disputes, corporate waste, usurpation of corporate opportunity, as well as other related allegations
  • Represented broker-dealer in connection with claims brought in aftermath of $250,000,000 Ponzi scheme perpetrated by an unrelated financial adviser
  • Represented broker-dealer in FINRA arbitrations involving suitability and related issues
  • Represented party in arbitration of multi-million-dollar commercial real-estate dispute

Internal Investigations

Matt has unparalleled experience heading internal investigations, including in the most consequential circumstances that clients face. Representing public and private companies alike, Matt has conducted internal investigations throughout his 25-year career, and he has assembled teams of attorneys and professionals from various disciplines to handle complex assignments in such matters. He has handled a wide variety of investigations involving allegations of workplace misconduct, political and business corruption, banking violations, financial improprieties, corporate-governance deficiencies, and numerous other topics. Matt teaches principles of internal investigations at the law-school level as well as to fellow lawyers. Matt also represents individuals who are the subject of internal investigations or witnesses in such matters. Representative experience:

  • Conducted internal investigation on behalf of Archdiocese relating to allegations of misconduct by its Archbishop
  • Conducted Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) investigations relating to various allegations of misconduct
  • Conducted internal investigation of publicly traded company regarding corporate-governance issues as well as issues implicating the internal-controls framework established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”)
  • Conducted internal investigation on behalf of a publicly traded engineering firm in connection with United States Department of Commerce investigation regarding allegedly unlawful export activities
  • Conducted internal investigation on behalf of a publicly traded aeronautical firm in connection with United States Department of Commerce investigation regarding allegedly unlawful export activities
  • Conducted internal investigations on behalf of banking and financial institutions in connection with issues concerning Currency Transaction Reports and Suspicious Activity Reports
  • Conducted multiple internal investigations for national airline relating to allegations of workplace misconduct
  • Conducted internal investigation on behalf of company in connection with federal murder-for-hire internal investigation and prosecution
  • Conducted multiple investigations on behalf of various entities victimized by embezzlement schemes
  • Represented and conducted internal investigation on behalf of a foreign-owned food processing company
  • Conducted internal investigation of religious order for alleged misconduct of one of its members
  • Represented CEO of a publicly traded company in securities-related civil investigation by Audit Committee of the company’s Board of Directors
  • Represented GC of large privately held company in the oil-and-gas industry
  • Represented CFO of large privately held company in the manufacturing industry
  • Represented executive of a Fortune 500 medical-device company in connection with federal qui tam lawsuit and internal investigation

Criminal and Regulatory-Enforcement Defense

In his criminal practice, Matt has tried and obtained numerous acquittals in federal and state court. He has handled cases involving allegations of complex financial fraud and other business crimes. In addition to his success in trials, Matt has had notable success in pre-trial proceedings to secure dismissals based on legal challenges, including successful challenges to the constitutionality of criminal legislation. He also has obtained reversals of convictions in appellate courts and has been retained specifically to represent clients in contested sentencing proceedings. Matt’s defense work also has proved valuable in advising and taking action on behalf of corporate and individual victims of financial crimes, such as embezzlement scenarios. Representative experience:

  • Represented company in $150,000,000 securities fraud investigation initiated by SEC arising out of Europe and South America
  • Represented individual alleged to have engaged in multi-million-dollar fraudulent scheme arising out of Europe
  • Represented individual accused of federal criminal conspiracy arising out of Africa
  • Represented executive accused of political corruption in Independent Counsel criminal prosecution
  • Represented a financial services firm in connection with civil enforcement proceedings initiated by the SEC relating to political corruption allegations
  • Represented investment adviser in civil enforcement action brought by SEC and related federal criminal grand jury investigation
  • Represented CEO of a publicly traded health-services firm in SEC investigation related to allegations of securities fraud
  • Represented accountant employed by one of the nation’s largest accounting firms in connection with SEC investigation of publicly traded company
  • Represented company in Office of Foreign Assets Control in connection with allegations concerning unlawful business-related travel to Cuba. Represented engineering firm in connection with separate proceedings with the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security
  • Represented numerous businesses, including a publicly-traded restaurant company, in licensing-related proceedings
  • Represented professionals before public licensing boards
  • Representation of individuals in grand-jury and other investigative proceedings

  • Minnesota
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • Northern District of Illinois
  • District of Minnesota
  • District of North Dakota
  • US District Court, District of Colorado

  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association, District of Minnesota Chapter, Board of Directors
  • Federal Practice Committee for the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

  • Author, Hearsay Definition and Exclusionary Rule, Minnesota Courtroom Handbook (2023)
  • Adjunct Professor of Law, University of St. Thomas Law School (Internal Investigations) (2014-present)
  • Guest Lecturer, Mitchell Hamline School of Law (Internal Investigations) (2016-present)
  • Speaker, Human Rights Advocacy at the United Nations (2017)
  • Panelist, Investigations into Corporate Embezzlement, Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter (2017)
  • Internal Investigations, Hennepin County Bar Association (2015)
  • Moderator, The Minnesota Tobacco Litigation: Taking on Goliath, University of St. Thomas School of Law (2015)
  • Keys to Successful Direct and Cross-Examination, Minnesota CLE (2014)
  • Trends in Civil and Criminal Securities Enforcement, American Bar Association, Section of Litigation (2013)
  • Investigative Accounting, Hennepin County Bar Association (2011)
  • Fraud in the Construction Industry, seminar sponsored by Minnesota construction trade association (2009)
  • Recent Developments in Anti-Money-Laundering Enforcement, seminar sponsored by Minnesota AML group (2007)
  • The Outer Edge of the Envelope: Disqualification of White Collar Criminal Defense Attorneys under the Joint Defense Doctrine, 78 Minn. L. Rev. 1219 (1994) (one of 13 articles selected nationally for reprint in 1995 Crim. L. Rev. 217)