Matthew Hjortsberg

Practice Areas

Matt Hjortsberg has extensive experience handling construction and business disputes in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia. Recognized by the Construction Law Society of America for his work as a construction attorney and by the Maryland State Bar Foundation for outstanding dedication and contribution to the legal profession, he regularly represents clients in arbitration, mediation, and litigation proceedings in state and federal courts.

His work in the area of commercial construction law focuses on representing contractors, subcontractors, and owners in complex disputes, including construction delay, impact, and defect claims. Matt also assists in resolving significant payment and mechanic’s lien disputes. He has handled claims arising from a wide variety of construction projects, including energy infrastructure, manufacturing facilities, and federal, state and local government projects.

In addition to representing construction clients in state and federal courts, he also has experience with arbitration forums and administrative proceedings. He serves on the executive committee of the construction law section of the state bar association, and is a regular speaker on construction law topics to contractors and construction law practitioners.

Matt’s business litigation work centers on prosecuting and defending private companies and owners, officers and directors in Maryland, Virginia, and DC courts, and through arbitration and mediation. Recent cases have involved breach of contract claims, partnership disputes, derivative actions, and trade secret matters. While he favors negotiated resolution in most circumstances involving business disputes, Matt has successfully tried numerous cases to verdict. He is an appointed mediator for the circuit court for Howard County, Maryland.

Professional Memberships

Fellow, Construction Law Society of America

Maryland State Bar Association, construction law section (chair, 2016-17; executive committee, 2015-16; chair - legislative & case law updates, 2015-16)

Fellow, Maryland Bar Foundation

Member, Trial Law Institute

Member, Diversity Law Institute

Member, Maryland State Council on Cancer Control

Work Highlights

Represented electrical subcontractor in delay, impact and acceleration claims on large federal government renovation project.

For major manufacturing company, handled a construction defect claim arising out of the expansion of a manufacturing facility.

Successfully defended a subcontractor in arbitration against contractor’s bid withdrawal claims on a local government emergency management project.

Prevailed on a bid protest litigation for a general contractor on a local county building project.

Secured reversal on appeal of lower court order on behalf of private construction financing company and its owners.

Represented contractor in construction delay disputes related to energy infrastructure project.

Prevailed on a bid protest in an administrative proceeding for a general contractor on a public school project.

Successfully defended a medical implant manufacturer in a breach of contract claim related to commissions arising from a series of complex business transactions.

Represented new entity in major multi-party litigation between various owners and affiliated companies in debt settlement industry.

Obtained a substantial settlement in connection with the misuse of a software vendor’s confidential information by a large insurance carrier.

Represented real estate partner in dispute over capital contributions and ownership interests in several real estate entities.

Represented global manufacturer in dispute with contractor concerning commission entitlement on major projects in the Middle East: the matter began in a Minnesota federal court and concluded in federal court in Miami.

Successfully tried a case in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County concerning disputed membership interests in a limited liability company and breaches of fiduciary duties by one of the owners, and he secured a victory on all claims.

Education

Awards