Matthew C. Dates

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Overview

With over 25 jury trials in federal court, Matthew Dates is a skilled trial lawyer and seasoned investigator who brings a wealth of experience to each new matter.

Matthew has a wide range of experience defending allegations made by the United States and private plaintiffs including securities fraud, Clean Water Act violations, and Ponzi schemes.  In addition, Matthew was appointed by the court as a receiver in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Before joining the firm, Matthew was an Attorney/Advisor with the United States Secret Service. Matthew was assigned to the litigation surrounding the Whitewater Independent Counsel investigations of President Clinton. On behalf of the United States Secret Service, Matthew represented the Secret Service Agents and Uniform Division personnel during their testimony before the grand jury investigating President Clinton.

Matthew served as counsel to the United States Secret Service during several other independent counsel investigations, including the White House Travel Office, Monica Lewinsky, and various fundraising activities.  Matthew provided legal guidance to Secret Service agents concerning issues of protection and criminal investigations. Matthew developed significant investigative skills while serving at a premier law enforcement agency.

Spending over seven years at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Matthew served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Executive, Narcotics, Major Crimes and Appellate Divisions, handling a wide variety of cases from investigation through trial. With numerous jury trials, Matthew has extensive experience prosecuting fraud matters, violent crimes, firearms offenses, and major narcotics cases.

During his time at the United States Attorney’s Office, Matthew was a member of the executive division charged with the daily operation of the third largest district in the country consisting of over 225 federal prosecutors.  First serving as Special Counsel for Public Affairs, Matthew was responsible for communication with the media for all matters within the Southern District of Florida.  Later as the Special Counsel to the United States Attorney, Matthew supervised the Office of the Special Counsel for Public Affairs.  In addition, Matthew chaired the hiring committee and advised the United States Attorney on significant matters including hiring, promotion, staffing, case management, and indictment review.

Matthew also served as a Senior Counsel with the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C.  On behalf of the Red Cross, a multi-billion dollar per year 501(c)(3) corporation, he directed a team of forty investigators who reviewed over 25,000 allegations of Hurricane Katrina related fraud, which represented millions in donor dollars that the team sought to recover. Matthew developed new parameters for fraud prevention during major disasters to guide Red Cross chapters in the field. Matthew supervised the investigators in developing the evidence necessary to provide the United States Department of Justice with referrals for prosecution.

At the Red Cross, Matthew conducted many internal investigations regarding allegations of misconduct and was also responsible for compliance with the Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations. In that capacity, Matthew ensured that the organization adhered to the various country-specific U.S. economic sanctions program restrictions. Matthew provided guidance on other compliance matters and managed outside counsel.

Notable Experience

  • Successfully prosecuted breach of contract action in arbitration and confirmed in state court on behalf of high profile professional golfer.
  • Prosecuted on behalf of plaintiff city government a class action complaint for the refund of percentage overcharge on residents’ water utility bills against another city government resulting in a $9 million recovery for the class members.
  • Prosecuted civil rights violations under 42 USC section 1983 against city commissioner on behalf of client business owners’ First Amendment claims in a six-week jury trial and related parallel litigation.
  • Represented former Deputy Director of the United States Secret Service during Special Counsel criminal investigation and U.S. House of Representatives oversight committee investigation into Hunter Biden.
  • Represented former U.S. Secret Service senior executive during Special Counsel Hunter Biden investigation and Congressional inquiries.
  • Appointed by U.S District Court Judge Cooke as the Special Master in a matter alleging that detainees being held in custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were not receiving the proper personal protective equipment, thus increasing their risk of contracting COVID-19.  Matt was required to act as a neutral investigator and conduct on-site inspections of three Florida detention facilities, write a report detailing his factual findings and make recommendations regarding the issues contained in the Order. After conducting inspections of the detention facilities, directing what video and photographic evidence needed to be taken, and requesting additional evidence, he provided the Court the report. He negotiated with both sides during the process regarding a wide range of issues and provided recommendations regarding objections based on privilege.  On March 25, 2021, the Court entered its order affirming the Special Master’s Report and adopting the proposed recommendations. View the Order here.
  • Served as the court appointed receiver in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in a breach of contract action brought by a bank arising from a debt obligation in excess of $1.5 million against a corporation and its guarantors.
  • Represented indirect purchaser plaintiff class in a multi-district class action antitrust matter involving an industry-wide conspiracy by polyurethane foam manufacturers to artificially inflate and manipulate prices resulting in a $151 million settlement approved by the court.
  • Defended the CEO of a bank and the institution in a six-week civil jury trial brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding disclosure and accounting fraud allegations.  Following a successful Eleventh Circuit defense appeal, served as counsel during the second six-week jury trial resulting in a complete defense verdict on all allegations made by the Commission.
  • Defended a bank in several simultaneous civil suits in both federal and state court regarding the bank’s alleged participation in a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme.
  • Defended owner of residential golf community in a lawsuit brought by the United States regarding allegations of violations of the Clean Water Act for construction work done on the course.
  • Represented a corporate officer during Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into allegations of misconduct surrounding the timing of stock purchases and sales.
  • Represented two municipalities against Miami-Dade County resulting in the multi-million dollar payment to each City of its rightful pro-rata share of transportation surtax proceeds.
  • Advised corporations involved in international transactions regarding Office of Foreign Assets Control compliance and handling issues involving prohibited persons.
  • Handled internal investigations and compliance reviews on behalf of corporations.

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., George Washington University Law School, 1995
  • A.B., Princeton University, 1992

Admissions

  • Florida
  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • United States District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Teach for America, Board of Directors, 2019-Present
  • Appointed by the Chief Judge, United States District Court, Southern District of Florida to serve on the Federal Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel
  • Appointed by the Chief Judge, United States District Court, Southern District of Florida to serve on the committee to oversee the events to commemorate Black History Month.

Recognition

  • Recipient of Miami-Dade County League of Cities President’s Municipal Service Award for pro bono efforts on behalf of the cities in resolving disputes over tax proceeds with Miami-Dade County.

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