Matthew B. Hayhurst

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After graduating first in his class from the University of Montana School of Law, Matt clerked for the Ninth Circuit and then joined the Seattle law firm of Perkins Coie. He eventually returned to his home state of Montana to join Boone Karlberg. Matt’s practice focuses on civil litigation, and he has extensive courtroom experience throughout Montana’s state and federal courts.  His trials have yielded a variety of successful results for his clients, including multiple defense verdicts in cases involving product liability claims, vehicle accidents, insurance disputes, and railroad liability, as well as a $22 million verdict for a commercial plaintiff in a federal product liability trial in May 2025. He is a member of both ABOTA and the American College of Trial Lawyers.Matt enjoys spending time with his wife, Lisa, and their three sons, Elliott, CJ, and Ben. He also enjoys mountain biking, fly fishing, hiking, and mountaineering. He has climbed the highest peaks in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, California, and Washington.

Practice Areas

• Civil Litigation
• Professional Negligence & Malpractice
• Insurance
• Bad Faith
• Commercial Litigation
• Product Liability
• Personal Injury - Primarily Defense & Select Plaintiff's Cases

Education and Experience

• B.A., The University of Montana, with Honors
• J.D., The University of Montana School of Law, with High Honors
• Clerkship - Honorable James Browning, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Attorney, Perkins Coie, Seattle, Product Liability Litigation Group
• Adjunct Professor of Federal Courts, University of Montana School of Law

Awards and Honors

• American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), Fellow
• American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Member, Past President
• AV Preeminent rating in Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
• Mountain States Super Lawyers
• Previously selected as one of 10 Montana Lawyers in Top 100 Mountain States Super Lawyers
• Rising Star in Mountain States Super Lawyers
• Chambers USA
• Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star
• Benchmark Litigation Guide, "America’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys"
• Best Lawyers in America
• 2020 Lawyer of the Year award - Best Lawyers - Product Liability Litigation – Defendants - 2020, 2023, 2024

Community and Professional Involvement

• Montana Civil Jury Instructions Guidelines Commission, Appointed Member
• Montana Law Review, Advisory Board
• Montana Law Review, Co-Editor-in-Chief
• YMCA Missoula, Board of Directors, Past President
• Youth Homes Inc., Board of Directors, Past President