Matthew R.Divelbiss (Matt)

Partner

Pittsburgh + 1.412.394.7297

Matt Divelbiss represents policyholders in significant disputes with their insurers. He has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for policyholder clients under directors and officers (D&O), general liability, employers' liability, property, cargo, cyber, and other policies.

Matt regularly counsels policyholder clients regarding their insurance programs, including issues relating to the structure of D&O programs and liability programs based on the Bermuda Form.

In addition to his insurance experience, Matt has defended corporations in disputes over issues ranging from qui tam claims to supply contracts. Matt has been called upon to assist clients in the United States and in foreign countries that face complex e-discovery issues, including helping non-U.S. clients respond to U.S. subpoenas and discovery requests.

Matt's experience includes matters in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as foreign and domestic arbitrations, including arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association and in Bermuda and the United Kingdom. Representative clients include Motorola Solutions, UPMC, FirstEnergy Corp., Transocean, and EDMC. Matt has represented corporations in sectors including telecommunications, energy, automotive, health care, and education.

Since 2015, Matt has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he teaches Advanced Trial Evidence, a course that focuses on applying the evidence rules in a courtroom-like setting, and, since 2023, Insurance Law. In addition, he serves as the pro bono partner for the Pittsburgh Office, receiving an Unsung Hero Award for his extensive pro bono work.

Esperienze

  • WEG acquires industrial electric motors and generators business from Regal Rexnord CorporationJones Day advised WEG S.A. in the $400 million acquisition of the industrial electric motors and generators business of Regal Rexnord Corporation.
  • Client prevails in contested proceedings, securing permanent legal residency for young individual fleeing from gang-related violenceJones Day successfully represented a teenage young adult in obtaining legal permanent resident status in contested proceedings before the immigration court.
  • Former incarcerated person obtains significant settlement relief after indifference to medical needsJones Day successfully represented a formerly incarcerated individual against the United States in an action alleging civil rights violations relating to an incident that took place at the Federal Correctional Institute at Loretto in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.
  • Meridian Bioscience agrees to be acquired by SD Biosensor and SJL Partners in $1.53 billion all-cash transactionJones Day advised Meridian Bioscience, Inc. in its $1.53 billion all-cash acquisition by SD Biosensor and SJL Partners.
  • 99-year-old WWII veteran obtains full-time VA careJones Day successfully represented 99-year-old WWII veteran Matilda Syska in her supplemental claim seeking an increase in her service-connected disability rating so she may receive full-time medical care in a VA facility.
  • TopBuild acquires Distribution International in all-cash transaction valued at $1.0 billionJones Day represented TopBuild in its acquisition of Distribution International from global private equity firm Advent International in an all-cash transaction valued at $1.0 billion.
  • Riverside acquires Premier Specialties, Inc.Jones Day represented The Riverside Company in connection with the acquisition of Premier Specialties, Inc., a New Jersey-based company engaged in the business of formulating, producing, manufacturing, distributing, repackaging, and reselling fragrances, flavors, cosmetic ingredients, essential oils and aroma chemicals for personal care, industrial and institutional, air care, household and laundry, and food and beverage applications.
  • FirstEnergy defeats lawsuit seeking liability for alleged acts of former bankrupt subsidiaryJones Day successfully defeated an attempt by personal injury plaintiffs to pierce the corporate veil and hold FirstEnergy Corp. liable for the alleged acts of former bankrupt subsidiaries.
  • Liberian immigrant secures remand in Third Circuit seeking cancellation of removal orderJones Day briefed and secured a remand in a pro bono appeal to the Third Circuit on behalf of a Liberian immigrant seeking reversal of the denial of cancellation of removal proceedings.
  • GenOn defeats putative class action alleging injury and damages resulting from coal ash depositJones Day successfully represented GenOn Energy, Inc. and a subsidiary in a putative class action lawsuit alleging the plaintiffs suffered bodily injury and property damage as a result of the deposit of coal ash near their Pennsylvania homes that had been shipped from various power plants.
  • Directors of Erie Indemnity win dismissal of fiduciary-duty lawsuit challenging its collection of over $3 billion in management fees from related entityJones Day won a dismissal on behalf of the directors of Erie Indemnity Company ("Indemnity") in a class action and derivative lawsuit brought by subscribers of Erie Insurance Exchange ("Exchange") alleging breaches of fiduciary duty.
  • High Road Capital acquires Radix WireJones Day represented High Road Capital Partners in connection with the acquisition and related financing of Radix Wire, a manufacturer of high-temperature and fire-resistant wire and cable.
  • Motorola successfully obtains affirmation of judgment in case involving clean room claimsJones Day successfully represented Motorola Solutions, Inc. in insurance coverage litigation in Cook County, Illinois arising from "clean room" cases asserted against Motorola.
  • Directors of Erie Indemnity Company prevail in Third Circuit against class-action and derivative lawsuit claims of improper service charges levied upon policyholdersJones Day successfully represented the directors of Erie Indemnity Company, a large automobile, property, and casualty insurer, in a class action alleging breach of fiduciary duties by allowing the company to collect some $400 million in allegedly improper service charges from policyholders beginning in the late 1990s.
  • FirstEnergy defends coal contract dispute with Tunnel RidgeJones Day defended FirstEnergy Corp. in a now-resolved and dismissed lawsuit brought by Tunnel Ridge, LLC in the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania against FirstEnergy Corp. and three of its subsidiaries, alleging breach of a coal supply agreement, among other claims.
  • High Road Capital acquires York WallcoveringsJones Day advised High Road Capital Partners in connection with the acquisition and related financing of York Wallcoverings Inc., a manufacturer of wallpaper, borders, murals, and RoomMates peel-and-stick removable and reusable wall decals.
  • National owner of multifamily residential and commercial apartment complexes resolves multiple claims against general contractor and design professionals for severe construction and design defectsJones Day represented a national owner of multifamily residential and commercial apartment complexes in Charlotte, North Carolina, Columbus, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in connection with multiple claims against the general contractor and design professionals for severe construction and design defects.
  • Indigent veteran prevails at trialJones Day Pittsburgh associates successfully represented an indigent veteran who came to the firm through Jones Day's Veterans Law Clinic.
  • Fortune 100 company successfully concludes international insurance coverage arbitration against Bermuda-based insurerJones Day represented a Fortune 100 company in an international arbitration conducted pursuant to the Bermuda Arbitration Act for coverage relating to a nearly $200 million securities class action lawsuit.
  • Cooper Industries resolves liability insurance dispute over contaminated ground waterJones Day represented Cooper Industries and its affiliate Cooper B-Line, involved the allocation of amounts paid in settlement of two wrongful death claims filed against the two Cooper entities, one of which was covered by the relevant policy and the other which was not covered.
    • January 26, 2017
      Practical and Ethical Implications of Recent Changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
    • November 17, 2016
      Class Actions Worldview: Emerging Issues Across the Globe, Association of Corporate Counsel