The National LGBT Bar Association has selected Counsel Matthew Benedetto to its 2016 list of Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40. The list includes young lawyers who have distinguished themselves in their fields and have demonstrated a commitment to LGBT equality. The National LGBT Bar Association is the largest organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied legal professionals in the country.
“This year's Best Under 40 prove how necessary diversity is to a thriving legal community," said Executive Director of the association D'Arcy Kemnitz. “These young attorneys represent the very best of the profession. Their breadth of knowledge and legal expertise demonstrate the significant talent the LGBT community brings to the law, and highlights the impact a few can have on the greater good. We're proud to honor them and all that they have accomplished.”
Benedetto is considered a rising star not only for his exceptional work with top firm clients, including biopharma and medical device companies, several financial institutions, and one of the most widely used social media network services in the world, but also for his significant devotion to pro bono cases. He has experience defending both federal and state False Claims Act cases, whistleblower, and qui tam lawsuits. Most noteworthy are his successes in defending a global biopharmaceutical company in a novel qui tam action brought in Los Angeles County Superior Court by three whistleblowers and the California Insurance Commissioner under the Insurance Frauds Prevention Act; representing a disabled, gay Army veteran in a successful pre-Windsor challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which sought disability compensation for her same-sex spouse; and obtaining a rare federal jury verdict against California prison guards on behalf of a California state prisoner who sued them for retaliating against him in violation of the First Amendment. Benedetto recently published an article about his trial experience.
Benedetto will receive the award on August 5 during the organization's Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair in Washington DC.