Matthew S. Adams

Matthew is Co-Chair of the firm's White-Collar Criminal Defense & Regulatory Compliance Practice Group and an experienced criminal and civil trial attorney. He has a diverse national practice focusing on criminal defense, regulatory compliance and complex commercial litigation. Known for his courtroom advocacy skills and meticulous attention to detail, he is an indispensable ally to clients ranging from individuals and small businesses to multinational corporations, who turn to him for practical, thorough guidance through treacherous legal minefields. Whether they have been indicted, named targets of a grand jury investigation or are embroiled in a "bet the company" commercial dispute, clients count on Matthew as their "go to" lawyer when it matters the most. Recently, Matthew has become well versed in the U.S. Department of Justice's crackdown on fraud and abuse involving government funding distributed under the Paycheck Protection Program and other CARES Act initiatives aimed at supporting businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. He provides compliance advice to companies that have received emergency funding and represents companies whose loans or grants have come under scrutiny or been referred for prosecution. Matthew is particularly knowledgeable in e-discovery, digital forensics, data privacy, social networking and cybersecurity. His clients routinely rely upon him to advance their interests through the use of high-tech, digital evidence such as e-mails, text messages, internet IP address and intrusion analysis, metadata and cellular tower triangulation - just a few of the novel forms of evidence with which Matthew has demonstrated mastery over the course of the last decade. Outside the courtroom, Matthew holds elected office, serving as a councilman on the Scotch Plains, NJ, Township Council, the town's municipal governing body. He was appointed to a then-vacant seat in April 2021 and later elected in a special election in November 2021. Matthew also is President-elect of the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey, a trustee with the Essex County, and a trustee with the New Jersey Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section. A bar leader, Matthew is at the forefront of novel legal issues, and frequently appears as amicus in trial and appellate courts grappling with issues of first impression and other high impact litigation. Find more detail on each of the focus areas of Matthew's practice is by following the links below. White-Collar Criminal & Regulatory Defense [https://www.foxrothschild.com/matthew-s-adams/white-collar-criminal-and-regulatory-defense/] Meticulous, zealous and ethical, Matthew defends individuals and entities that face state or federal criminal charges, regulatory or enforcement actions or are the target of an investigation by enforcement agencies or regulatory bodies at all levels of government. He co-founded and leads the firm's COVID-19 Compassionate Release Task Force [https://www.foxrothschild.com/white-collar-criminal-defense-regulatory-compliance/covid-19-compassionate-release/], which assists nonviolent offenders in jails and prisons across the U.S. who are at increased risk from the disease, with requests for compassionate release, bail, early parole and medical furloughs. Commercial Litigation [https://www.foxrothschild.com/matthew-s-adams/commercial-litigation/] Matthew represents individuals and businesses in the prosecution and defense of complex civil actions. Entrepreneurs, startups, closely held businesses and Fortune 100 companies rely on Matthew's pragmatic business sense and effective litigation skills to prevail in their commercial disputes. Cybersecurity & Technology [https://www.foxrothschild.com/matthew-s-adams/technology-cybersecurity/?preview=true] Technology is a two-edged sword. Matthew keeps at the cutting edge, helping companies investigate and respond effectively to cyberattacks in compliance with local, state, federal and international data breach notification regulations, and defending clients who have been accused of hacking, data theft or cybercrimes. In the same vein, he protects individuals' privacy rights against technology-fueled prosecutorial overreach while strategically employing innovations in the realm of digital forensics and other emerging methods to build and defend cases, often breaking new legal ground. Internal Investigations & Corporate Compliance [https://www.foxrothschild.com/matthew-s-adams/internal-investigations-corporate-compliance/] Matthew conducts comprehensive internal investigations for companies of all sizes that face existential crises involving potential internal wrongdoing, or intense regulatory scrutiny of their operations. He employs sharp investigative skills developed in his white-collar defense practice — working closely with professionals such as accountants and digital forensics experts — to identify the facts, present them clearly and provide actionable advice that helps clients minimize liability, preserve their reputations and meet their legal and regulatory obligations. Crisis Management [https://www.foxrothschild.com/matthew-s-adams/crisis-management/] Matthew provides sophisticated crisis management services to companies and individuals facing investigations and civil or criminal liability. Drawing on his extensive white-collar defense and regulatory compliance experience, he helps clients design crisis response plans and oversees their implementation to ensure they are carried out strategically to advance his clients' interests. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT [https://www.foxrothschild.com/matthew-s-adams/community-involvement/] Matthew prioritizes public service, dedicating his time outside the office to causes that improve lives and make a difference in the overall quality of life in his community. He is currently an elected member of the Scotch Plains, NJ, Township Council, bringing new perspectives and energy to the town's municipal governing body while working to move his community forward.     * Councilman, Township of Scotch Plains New Jersey HONORS AND AWARDS:     * RECOGNIZED IN THE _CHAMBERS USA _GUIDE FOR LITIGATION: WHITE-COLLAR CRIME & GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIONS IN NEW JERSEY (2022) _This award is conferred by Chambers & Partners. A description of the selection methodology is __available here [https://chambers.com/about-us/methodology]. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey._     * SELECTED TO THE LIST OF NEW JERSEY TRAILBLAZERS (2020) _This award is conferred by The New Jersey Law Journal. A description of the selection methodology is available here [https://images.law.com/media/newjerseylawjournal/supplements/NJLJTB_2020/mobile/index.html]. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey._     * SELECTED TO THE LIST OF "NEW LEADERS OF THE BAR" (2016) _This award is conferred by The New Jersey Law Journal. A description of the selection methodology is available here [https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/almID/1202755895406/Announcing-the-2016-NJLJ-New-Leaders-of-the-Bar/]. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey._     * SELECTED TO THE LIST OF THE "TOP 10 UNDER 40" IN NEW JERSEY (2016) _This award is conferred by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. A description of the selection methodology is available here [https://www.national-academy.net/selection-process]. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey._     * SELECTED TO THE LIST OF "SUPER LAWYERS - RISING STARS" FOR CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE COLLAR IN NEW JERSEY (2013-2022) _This award is conferred by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology is available here [https://www.superlawyers.com/about/selection_process.html]. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey._