Litigator Matthew Holt joined Taft’s Phoenix office, contributing to the firm’s strategic growth in the Southwest market.
Holt assists developers, contractors, purchasers, insurers, municipalities, investors, businesses, and property owners in complex litigation matters, including construction defects, contract disputes, wrongful termination, liens, and more.
“The high-stakes litigation environment has always been what’s drawn me to practicing law,” said Holt. “The work is about developing a trusted partnership with clients to better understand their operations and help them navigate legal risks to protect what they’ve built.”
“Adding Matt to our litigation lineup is yet another example of our continued investment in the Phoenix market,” said Craig Morgan, Taft Phoenix partner-in-charge. “Matt is joining us with an impressive amount of experience already under his belt, and I have no doubt that he will thrive here and contribute to Taft’s collaborative culture.”
“Joining Taft’s robust litigation team provides me with countless career opportunities for growth,” said Holt. “The attorneys here deliver high-quality solutions for high-value cases. They fight tooth and nail to win in court, and I’m looking forward to learning from each and every one of them while continuing to sharpen my litigation and trial skills.”
Holt earned both his J.D. and a Master’s in Sports Law and Business from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, where he held several leadership roles, including serving as president of the Moot Court Board and treasurer of the American Constitution Society. In recognition of his excellence in trial advocacy, Holt was inducted into the Order of the Barristers, the national honorary society for U.S. law students. He also gained practical experience with the Civil Litigation Division of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
Effective Jan. 1, 2025, Sherman & Howard combined with Taft, creating a firm powered by more than 1,100 attorneys from Washington, D.C. to the Mountain West. The combination enables both firms to deepen their benches of attorneys and strengthen their service offerings.
Since merging, Taft’s Phoenix office has grown by 120%, welcoming 11 attorneys. Carrie Francis, Lonnie Williams Jr., and Ashley Cheff have strengthened the employment litigation team, while Sharon Ng, Tim Lauxman, and James D. Camoriano bring deep experience in employment and commercial litigation. Jim Holland adds substantial expertise in construction litigation, complemented by Holt and Peyton Williams, who further expand our litigation capabilities. Additionally, Tyler Cobb and Roxann Lucas enhance the firm’s strength in public finance. Learn more about the growth in Taft’s Phoenix office here.