Matt Nakon is the Firm’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
He serves on the Firm’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors, is a Co-Chairperson of the Litigation Department, Co-Chairperson of the Environmental Law Practice Area, and Chairperson of the Health Care Practice Area.
With over 30 years of litigation experience, Matt has practiced before all levels of the State and Federal Courts. He focuses on business litigation with an emphasis in commercial, employment, environmental, and health care litigation. Matt is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (Commercial Litigation) and has been selected to the 2012 through 2025 Ohio Super Lawyers® List (Business Litigation).
Matt is also very active in charitable and community causes, serving on several charitable and civic boards. He is the Founder and President of the Karen P. Nakon Breast Cancer Foundation and has served on the National Cancer Leadership Council. His contribution to these causes was recognized by Leadership Lorain County who presented him the 2018 Eric Nord Award for Excellence in Leadership, and the American Cancer Society who named him the 2010 Living Angel. Matt also has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and on the Lorain County Bar Association Legal Ethics and Grievance Committee.
Martindale-Hubbell™ has awarded Matt an AV rating for preeminent legal ability and having the highest ethical standards.
Education
- 1988 – Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (J.D., cum laude)
- 1985 – Baldwin Wallace University (B.A.)
Admissions
- State of Ohio
Professional & Civic Affiliations
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Lorain County Bar Association (Legal Ethics and Grievance Committee Member, 2015-2020)
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation (Fellow, 2014-Present)
- The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (President of the Board of Directors, 2019; Board of Directors, 2012-2020)
- Leadership Cleveland, Class of 2023
- The 50 Club of Cleveland (Member, 2022)
- National Cancer Leadership Council (Member, 2003-2014)
- Karen P. Nakon Breast Cancer Foundation (President of the Board of Directors, 2003-Present)
- Team Lorain County (Board of Directors, 2011-2016)
- College Now (Board of Directors, 2014-2017)
- Lorain County Chamber of Commerce (Board of Trustees, 2008-2012)
Recognitions & Awards
- Selected by Cleveland Magazine as a Member of “The Cleveland 500” — Northern Ohio’s influential leaders (2021)
- Baldwin Wallace Alumni Merit Award (2020)
- Selected to the Ohio Super Lawyers® List (2012-2025)
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (2016-2025)
- Martindale-Hubbell™ AV Preeminent® rating
- Eric Nord Award for Excellence in Leadership by Leadership Lorain County (2018)
- American Cancer Society Living Angel (2010)
- National Championship Team: Benton National Moot Court Competition (1988)
- Winning Brief published in the John Marshall Law Review (Summer 1988)
- West Publishing Award for Greatest Contribution to Scholarship (1987)
- Recipient, Hugo Black Award and Dean’s Award for Excellence in Oral Advocacy (1987)
- Moot Court Board of Governors; National Order of Barristers
- Editorial Staff, Journal of Law and Health (1987-1988)