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Pennsylvania
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court – Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court – Western District of Pennsylvania
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center
B.A., summa cum laude, University of Pittsburgh
Served as lead trial counsel in high-stakes commercial litigation, including disputes involving claims of tortious interference, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and unfair trade practices.
Achieved the first dismissal of an ADA Title III digital accessibility lawsuit against a direct-to-consumer e-commerce company in the Western District of Pennsylvania on the grounds that online-only companies are not subject to Title III, reshaping the state of the law in a favored forum for website accessibility litigation.
Led the defense of e-commerce, retail, and consumer products companies headquartered across the country in numerous putative consumer class actions, negotiating favorable resolutions in matters with potential multi-jurisdictional exposure.
Secured dismissal of claims against a technology platform and online marketplace, successfully defending the neutrality of the digital service connecting consumers and service providers.
Obtained dismissal of multiple putative consumer class actions, including claims against jewelry and skincare/aesthetics companies.
Won summary judgment enforcing a contractual waiver on behalf of the world’s largest ski resort owner and operator.
Matthew R. Barnes is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group, concentrating his practice on business disputes, e-commerce, class actions, and other high-stakes commercial matters.
Mr. Barnes represents public and closely held companies, shareholders, partners, and LLC members in complex commercial litigation involving ownership and control issues, fiduciary duties, minority shareholder oppression, minority member oppression, valuation, real estate, corporate governance, disputes with outside parties, business torts, breach of contract, unfair trade practices, and business breakups. He has extensive experience litigating these matters and has tried multiple cases to verdict as lead trial counsel.
In addition, Mr. Barnes has become a leading advisor and advocate for companies navigating the ever-evolving world of e-commerce.
Recently, in Murphy v. Spongelle LLC, 716 F. Supp. 3d 358 (W.D. Pa. 2024), Mr. Barnes won dismissal of a lawsuit alleging that his e-commerce client’s website and digital services violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. He became the first attorney in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania to successfully argue that online-only companies are not subject to Title III digital accessibility claims within the Third Circuit, which includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The court designated the decision for publication and remarked that it was “one of those occasions when oral argument is actually very helpful to the Court.”
Before joining Pietragallo, Mr. Barnes practiced at an international law firm. He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch® 2026 edition for Commercial Litigation.
His commitment to effective advocacy is rooted in his legal training. A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, Mr. Barnes was a member of the Georgetown Law Criminal Justice Clinic, where he represented clients in the D.C. Superior Court. He received Georgetown’s Alan J. Goldstein Award, honoring the clinic member who best demonstrated excellence in advocacy, creativity, and leadership. He also competed on Georgetown’s Moot Court team and served as a judicial intern to Chief Justice Debra Todd of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
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