About Matthew A. Reed
Legal Assistant: Lin DuBois | 713-554-6787 | ldubois@thompsonhorton.com
As a former college student-athlete who is married to a law professor, Matt is deeply aware of the wide array of benefits bestowed, and challenges faced, by educational institutions.
Matt brings his experience and skills as a litigator to his representation of schools, colleges, and universities. In the litigation context, he has expertise in drafting critical motions and briefing – including motions for summary judgment, Daubert motions challenging expert witnesses, motions in limine, trial briefs, post-trial motions, and appellate briefs – which he uses to guide his clients’ matters to satisfactory conclusions as quickly and efficiently as possible. In the legal counsel context, his litigation experience helps him identify salient legal issues arising from his clients’ operations and craft guidance on topics such as sexual harassment and athletics compliance under Title IX, FERPA compliance, and NCAA student-athlete amateurism issues.
Prior to joining Thompson & Horton, Matt was an attorney at Sedgwick LLP in Los Angeles, CA, where he represented a large school district in several personal injury lawsuits alleging sexual assault, and was part of a trial team that obtained a verdict finding the district not liable. He also defended Fortune 500 clients in product liability, insurance, and business litigation in state and federal courts across the country – from inception through appeal.
Education
- J.D., cum laude, Pepperdine University School of Law, 2005
- M.P.P., Pepperdine University School of Public Policy, 2004
- B.S., summa cum laude, Azusa Pacific University, 1998
Licensing & Court Admissions
- Licensed in the state of Texas
- Licensed in the state of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Central, Eastern, and Southern Districts of California
Memberships & Recognitions
- Texas Association of School Boards – Council of School Attorneys
- National School Boards Association – Council of School Attorneys
Selected Client Representations
- Defended major university in complex, multi-plaintiff Title IX cases alleging sexual assault – interviewed witnesses; prepared client employees for deposition; defended client employees at deposition; conducted extensive document review for privilege and FERPA issues; managed non-party subpoena team; managed FERPA notification process; drafted discovery motions and dispositive motions.
- Drafted appellee’s brief to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals defending federal district court’s dismissal of amended complaint alleging federal and state claims arising from school district client’s COVID-19 mask policy.
- Advised junior college client regarding potential effects on client’s athletics program of recent U.S. Supreme Court case and National Labor Relations Board opinion regarding NCAA student-athlete amateurism requirements.
- Defended school district client in former teacher’s federal employment discrimination and harassment lawsuit under Texas Commission on Human Rights Act and U.S. Constitution – took plaintiff’s deposition; drafted motion to dismiss complaint, which was granted in its entirety.
- Assessed and revised junior college client’s “course drop” policy and procedure for compliance with Texas statute and ease of understanding.
- Assessed and revised junior college client’s Student Handbook for compliance with current Department of Education regulations and guidance regarding Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”).
- Assessed compliance of junior college client’s proposed off-campus work-study program with Department of Education guidance.
Representative Presentations & Speeches
- “Hitting (Throwing, Running, and Kicking) Like a Girl: A Title IX and Athletics Update” (with Jackie Wernz, Adam Rothey, and Kendra Yoch); Thompson & Horton LLP’s 50 Years of Title IX webinar series (June 9, 2022).
- “Title IX [in Higher Education] – An Overview: Where We Were & Where We Are Going” (with Katie Long); Thompson & Horton Title IX Summer Seminars Webinar (June 17, 2020)