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Matthew DavidRidings, CCEP

PartnerCo-chair, Compliance & Internal InvestigationsVice Chair, Business Litigationmoc.eniHnospmohT@sgnidiR.ttaM
Cleveland

O 216.566.5561

Matthew DavidRidings, CCEP

Partner
Co-chair, Compliance & Internal InvestigationsVice Chair, Business Litigationmoc.eniHnospmohT@sgnidiR.ttaM
Cleveland

O 216.566.5561

Focus Areas

White Collar Criminal Practice/Internal Investigations

Corporate executive facing federal corruption charges

Won acquittal for charges of conspiracy to commit bribery in a federal program, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud (only defendant acquitted among more than 60+ politicians and public officials charged).

Amish beard cutting convictions reversed at Court of Appeals

Represented members of the Amish community in winning a reversal at the Court of Appeals for their convictions under the Hate Crimes Prevention Action, which was the first case brought under the statute for religiously-motivated violence.

Multinational FCPA investigation

Represented telecommunications company before the DOJ and SEC in connection with alleged Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Executive alleged to have led foreign bribery program

Defended Taiwanese national against possible FCPA violations relating to Asian banking industry investigation by the DOJ and SEC.

Global anti-corruption due diligence investigation

Represented subsidiary of a publicly-traded, multinational company in anti-corruption due diligence investigation relating to the acquisition of a company with operations in more than 70 countries, including Africa, Asia, Russia, and South America.

Possible FCPA violations in banking industry

Represented foreign national and investment bank executive in connection with possible Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations in China.

Anti-corruption diligence for acquisition of water treatment product

Represented private equity fund in conducting diligence relating to acquisition of water treatment company with sales in South and Central America and Russia.

Alleged bribery in construction industry

Represented company in an internal investigation into possible anti-corruption violations in connection with the construction of a public works project.

Antitrust cartel investigation

Represented multinational chemical manufacturer in price-fixing cartel investigation led by the Department of Justice.

Foreign executive in price-fixing investigation

Defended foreign national in worldwide price-fixing investigation of the shipping industry involving the DOJ, Japan Fair Trade Commission, and European Commission.

Executive charged with federal extortion and corruption crimes

Defended corporate executive charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, theft of government property, and extortion in nine-day federal trial.

Company scientist charged with trade secret theft

Defended scientist alleged to have been engaged in economic espionage on behalf of a foreign power and stolen trade secrets from his employer.

Bank investigation into alleged kickback payments

Representation of a financial institution in an internal investigation of alleged kickbacks paid to politicians and public officials in connection with the sale of securities to public pension funds.

Possible insider trading prior to privatization

Investigated possible insider trading scheme by executive of a publicly-traded company prior to a privatization deal from a private equity fund.

Bank investigation of possible 10b-5 violations

Represented financial institution in internal investigation regarding allegations of false statements made in connection with the sale of securities.

Possible false statements by a broker-dealer

Represented broker-dealer in FINRA investigation and enforcement proceedings alleging false statements made in connection with the sale of securities.

Compliance, Risk Management, and Counseling

United States & European Union antitrust compliance

Counseled multinational manufacturers on the application of and compliance with U.S. and EU antitrust law, particularly relating to distributorships, distribution agreements, and vertical restraints.

Compliance program assessment and review

Represented multinational, publicly-traded energy company in anti-corruption risk assessment and revision to FCPA and related anti-corruption policies, procedures, and controls.

AML compliance assessment

Represented global jewelry retailer in review and assessment of its anti-money laundering compliance program.

Anti-corruption and antitrust compliance training

Designed and presented training programs for various global companies relating to international antitrust and anti-bribery and corruption compliance.

Possible manufacturing collaboration with competitor

Represented Tier 1 automotive supplier regarding antitrust implications of a strategic alliance with a competitive supplier in the creation and manufacture of automotive parts.

Creation of compliant product distribution network

Represented international building products manufacturer on the creation and maintenance of a North American product distribution network.

Civil Antitrust and Competition Litigation

Civil Investigative Demand merger challenge

Represented global services firm in responding to a Civil Investigative Demand from the Federal Trade Commission relating to a merger challenge.

Merger challenge from the Department of Justice

Represented manufacturer of aviation fuel filtration systems in connection with merger challenge and Civil Investigative Demand from the Department of Justice.

Second Requests from U.S. and Canadian authorities

Represented manufacturer of offshore drilling equipment in response to Second Request from Department of Justice and Canadian Competition Bureau.

Corporate executive as defendant in antitrust litigation

Won dismissal of multimillion-dollar antitrust litigation against corporate executive alleged to be ringleader of antitrust conspiracy.

RICO litigation involving government procurement

Represented company alleged to have participated in a RICO conspiracy to defraud government purchasers.

Trade secret theft by former employee

Represented company in civil litigation against its former employee for breach of duty of loyalty and theft of trade secrets in federal jury trial, winning verdict.

Unfair competition by competitor

Won punitive damage aware against competitor of client for tortiously interfering with the client’s employees.

Willfully infringing on copyrights

Won willful damage jury award on behalf of global media licensing company for willful infringement of its copyrights.

Injunction against the Food and Drug Administration

Obtained restraining order preventing the FDA from blocking the importation of electronic cigarettes, ruling upheld on appeal.

  • Co-presenter, “Hot Topics in Antitrust,” Thompson Hine Competition Cafe Podcast Series, May 2022
  • Co-presenter, “Presidential Executive Order Targets Changes in Antitrust Enforcement,” Thompson Hine Competition Cafe Podcast Series, April 2022
  • Co-presenter, “White Collar Crime – Recent Developments and Emerging Risks Part II,” Thompson Hine Webinar Series, March 2021
  • Co-presenter, “White Collar Crime – Recent Developments and Emerging Risks Part I,” Thompson Hine Webinar Series, February 2021
  • Co-presenter, “Practical Advice for Antitrust and Privacy Compliance in the Biden Era,” Thompson Hine Webinar Series, March 2021
  • Co-presenter, “Mitigating Supply Agreement Risks: Structuring Defense, Indemnity, and Insurance Provisions, Allocating Liability Between Manufacturers, Suppliers, and End Sellers; Maximizing Insurance Coverage for Losses,” Strafford Webinar, February 16, 2021
  • Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2014 to 2024 for Commercial Litigation and Litigtaion-Antitrust
  • Benchmark Litigation Under 40 Litigation Hot List, 2019 to 2020
  • Selected to the Ohio Super Lawyers list, 2023, 2024
  • Selected to the Ohio Rising Stars list, 2013 to 2019

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
  • Ohio State Bar Association, Member, Antitrust Section Council, 2011 to 2014
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

Community Activities

  • Secretary, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Board of Trustees
  • Sixth Circuit Criminal Justice Act appointment

Education

  • Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D., 2005,
    cum laude
  • Indiana University, B.S., 2002

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
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