Matthew_Harper

Matthew Harper

Eastman & Smith LTD.

As Matthew D. Harper has said, “To Kill a Mockingbird says ‘Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets.’ I try to live this way in my practice and daily life.” Matthew represents clients in a wide range of business, construction, and real estate disputes. He is a member of Eastman & Smith’s Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights, Business Litigation, and Construction Law Practice Groups and also chairs the firm’s litigation section. Matthew is admitted in state and federal courts throughout Ohio and Michigan and has appeared pro hac vice in business litigation in Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. In 1989, Matthew obtained his BA degree, magna cum laude, from Ashland University where he was named the Criminal Justice Outstanding Senior. He obtained his law degree, magna cum laude, in 1992 from the University of Toledo College of Law where he was the managing editor of the law review, a member of the Order of the Coif, and named the Outstanding College of Law Graduate. Matthew served for one year as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard F. Suhrheinrich of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He has engaged in the private practice of law since 1993. Matthew has presented on various topics relating to business disputes and construction law issues to groups such as CFMA, CFMA’s Northwest Ohio Chapter, the Mechanical Contractors' Association of Northwest Ohio, the Toledo Board of Realtors, and the Toledo Chamber of Commerce. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Toledo College of Law. Matthew enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, fishing, camping, hiking, recreational shooting, and reading.


Appearances