Matt Gurgel represents multinational corporations, financial institutions, and individuals in a wide array of complex commercial litigation matters.
Among his recent notable cases, Matt is one of the leaders of the HSG team serving as nationwide lead trial and appellate counsel to Chubb in more than 20 insurance coverage cases arising from the opioid crisis, and recently won dismissal of $60 million in coverage claims on summary judgment. His work also includes representing U.S. Bank National Association as Trustee of the CSMC Asset-Backed Trust, as well as trustees and other interested parties in a range of RMBS putback matters. He defended Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA and Novalon SA in complex commercial litigation involving breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets claims, where his team defeated a motion for preliminary injunction and secured a stay pending insolvency proceedings. Matt also serves as counsel to a director/officer defendant in an adversary proceeding brought by the bankruptcy trustee of Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, alleging breaches of fiduciary duty under Delaware law, and he previously represented a director of Sears Holdings Corporation in defending against breach of fiduciary claims in that major retailer’s bankruptcy proceedings.
Matt has represented another leading national retailer in litigation with lenders, an entrepreneur and his business in litigation against the company’s financial backers, and one of the world’s preeminent law firms in the successful defense of high-profile malpractice claims.
In his pro bono practice, Matt is part of the HSG team that filed a lawsuit with the ACLU of Louisiana’s Justice Lab against police officers for using excessive force against a cooperating black man with preexisting injuries. He has assisted other pro bono clients in Federal Tort Claims Act litigation and matters related to veterans benefits.
Before joining HSG, Matt practiced at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and clerked for the Hon. Debra Ann Livingston of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Before beginning his legal career, Matt served aboard four ships as a surface warfare officer and nuclear engineer in the U.S. Navy.
Updated Sep 2025
- Commercial
- Commercial disputes
- Insurance
- Securities
- Banking
- Financial services
- J.D. - Columbia University School of Law
- M.A. - Naval Postgraduate School
- A.B. - Harvard College
- New York