Matthew S. Nelles

Partner,
Board Certified Intellectual Property Lawyer,
Registered Patent Attorney

Practice Areas

• Intellectual Property Litigation
• Commercial/Business Litigation

Biography

A seasoned Florida and federal practitioner with over 30 years of experience exclusively in and throughout Florida, Matt has litigated over 300 business and intellectual property disputes in the U.S. District Courts of the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida. Understanding and appreciating the legal subtleties and nuances affecting all types of businesses, Matt also successfully represents clients in the state courts of Florida in disputes arising from breach of contract and tortious interference, business defamation, unfair competition, and employment non-competes.

Demonstrating his expertise in copyright, trademark, and patent disputes, Matt is one of only 132 lawyers Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Intellectual Property Law. He is also a registered patent attorney with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. In 2015, he received the Daily Business Review’s “Most Effective Lawyers” Award in the Intellectual Property category.

Over the years, Matt has represented well-known brands such as ExxonMobil, Beyond Meat, Target, Warner Bros. Records, Burlington Stores, Internet Brands, Airstream, Valero Energy Corp., Abercrombie & Fitch Trading Co., Coach, and Rolls-Royce Energy Systems. He has also represented high-profile music entertainers and celebrities, including Prince Rogers Nelson, Spike Lee, and 2 Live Crew.

In addition to his trial experience, Matt procures trademarks and copyrights for his clients, and negotiates and drafts intellectual property licensing agreements, assignments, and asset transfers.

Matt was previously a partner at large Ft. Lauderdale-based firms Berger Singerman and Broad and Cassel before eventually joining as a partner with Johnson & Martin, his former law partners at Ruden McClosky.