As a senior principal in the Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies group and a member in the law firm, Matt helps clients navigate the complex legislative and regulatory landscape in Illinois. His background in politics, government, and managing in-house government affairs operations for large corporations, allows him to bring unique value to his clients.
Before joining Cozen O'Connor, Matt served as the national director of Government Affairs for American Water, overseeing legislative and regulatory policy in 47 states for the largest privately owned water utility in the country. He also has extensive experience handling policy and regulatory matters before the Illinois Commerce Commission, the state’s primary utility regulator.
Prior to American Water, Matt worked in several high-level positions for former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, including director of the Office of Business Development and chief of staff for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Additionally, he previously served as deputy press secretary to U.S. Senator Richard Durbin. He has worked on several political campaigns in Illinois and worked at a large law firm in Chicago handling consumer and class action defense cases. Matt is a member of the board of directors for Youth Guidance, a nonprofit that creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education, and, ultimately, succeed in school and in life, and is also on the Board of Governors for Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he graduated law school cum laude. Matt also previously served on the board of directors of Equality Illinois, the state’s largest LGBTQ organization, and obtained his bachelor's degree from Illinois Wesleyan University.
In 2023, Matt was awarded the St. Robert Bellarmine Award from Loyola, which honors alumni who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to the profession and to the School of Law.