Practice

Stephen C. Matthews is a principal of Porzio Bromberg & Newman and member of the firm’s Litigation Department and Life Sciences Industry Group. Mr. Matthews’ practice focuses on product liability and mass torts, with a particular emphasis on pharmaceutical drug and medical device litigation. Mr. Matthews has also represented manufacturers in defense of claims relating to consumer products and industrial equipment in both personal injury actions and consumer fraud class actions.

Mr. Matthews acts as regional coordinating counsel and New Jersey counsel in a variety of contexts and represents clients in both state and federal courts. As regional coordinating counsel, Mr. Matthews leads and manages a team of attorneys and paralegals in the defense of a life sciences company’s product liability claims venued throughout the Northeast United States. He has significant litigation experience, focusing on factual case development, company witness preparation and trial strategy. As a trial attorney, Mr. Matthews has successfully represented his clients in both the state and federal courts of New Jersey.

As a member of the firm’s Litigation Department Mr. Matthews has primary responsibility for developing the team’s external litigation budgets and coordinates with in house counsel to ensure that the client’s budget expectations are met.

Honors and Awards

• Recognized by New Jersey Monthly Magazine as a "Super Lawyer" in the State of New Jersey, 2006, 2007

Organizations/Memberships

• Product Liability Advisory Council—Sustaining Member
• Trial Attorney of New Jersey, Trustee, 2011
• Legal Services Foundation of Essex County, Trustee, 2002–present
• New Jersey State Bar Association, Products Liability Section
• Defense Research Institute, Drug and Medical Device Committee
• Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, Board of Visitors member, 2000-2012

Publications

• Contributing Author, "The New Reality of Sales Force Behavior and Management," FDLI Monograph Series, Vol. 2, Num 6, June 2011.
• “New Jersey Supreme Court Rejects Consumer Fraud Class Action for Prescription Drug Plans,” Porzio Litigation Update, September 12, 2007 and New Jersey Defense, Vol. 24, Issue 2, April 2008.
• “The Second British Invasion: Foreign Nationals in U.S. Courts,” LJN’s Product Liability Law & Strategy Newsletter, Vol. 26, No. 2, August 2007.
• "The Next British Invasion: Foreign Nationals in U.S. Courts," New Jersey Law Journal, April 23, 2007.

Speaking Engagements

• Speaker, "Emerging Issues in New Jersey Ethics: Pitfalls in Witness Prep, Use of Social Media & The Growth of Alternative Fee Agreements," Trial Attorneys of New Jersey, MCLE Seminar & Annual Meeting, Belmar, New Jersey, June 7, 2012.