Matthew David Ridings, CCEP

White-Collar Crime and Enforcement / Internal Investigations

• Won jury verdict acquitting construction executive of all charges in federal corruption and fraud prosecution (only defendant to win acquittal in 60+ charged).
• Won reversal of convictions in the “Amish Beard Cutting” cases, the first cases brought in the United States under the Hate Crimes Prevention Act for religiously motivated violence.
• Defended an architect charged with conspiracy, mail fraud, theft of government property, and extortion in a nine-day trial in federal court.
• Led FCPA and anti-corruption due diligence team in acquisition of multi-national telecommunications company with operations in 70 countries, including Africa, Asia, Russia, and South America.
• Conducted international criminal investigations in emerging markets, including Beijing and Shanghai, and investigated criminal allegations throughout Asia and Europe.
• Represented Taiwanese national in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice; no charges filed.
• Represented foreign national in world-wide antitrust cartel investigation involving the United States Department of Justice, Japan Fair Trade Commission, and European Commission; no charges filed.
• Represented international chemical company in antitrust cartel investigation led by the U.S. Department of Justice.
• Conducted investigation into Securities and Exchange Commission allegations of insider trading surrounding a private equity buyout.
• Investigated federal bribery and corruption allegations in connection with construction of public works project.
• Represented broker-dealer in FINRA enforcement proceedings regarding allegations of false statements made in connection with the sale of securities.
• Conducted internal investigation regarding alleged false and fraudulent statements made in connection with the sale of securities.
• Conducted investigation of alleged kickback scheme in connection with the sale of securities to public entities.

Antitrust, Distributorship and Anti-Corruption Counseling and Compliance

• Counseled clients on the application of and compliance with U.S. and European Union antitrust law, including the legality of product distribution restraints.
• Assisted businesses with the creation, development, and ongoing assessment of compliance programs, particularly relating to antitrust and anti-corruption compliance, including the FCPA and UK Bribery Act.
• Drafted anti-corruption compliance policies and handbooks and conducted training seminars for antitrust and anticorruption law.
• Counseled Tier 1 automotive supplier regarding antitrust implications of a joint venture and/or strategic alliance with another Tier 1 supplier in the creation and manufacture of automotive production.
• Advised international building products manufacturer on the creation and maintenance of North American product distribution channel.
• Advised clients on termination or appointment of dealers and distributors in the United States and internationally.

Antitrust, Competition and Product Distribution Litigation

• Represented global services firm in Civil Investigative Demand from the Federal Trade Commission.
• Represented manufacturer of aviation fuel filtration systems in connection with Civil Investigative Demand from the Department of Justice.
• Represented manufacturer of offshore oil drilling equipment in response to Request for Additional Information and Documentary Materials (Second Request) from the Department of Justice and Canadian Competition Bureau; no merger challenge filed.
• Won multi-million dollar jury verdict to recover damages against former employee accused of theft of trade secrets and breach of duty of loyalty to his employer.
• Won compensatory and punitive damage award against competitor of client for tortiously interfering with client’s relationship with its employee.
• Represented a national company alleged to have participated in RICO scheme to defraud government purchasers of services.
• Won jury verdict on behalf of global media licensing company in copyright infringement litigation involving Internet infringement.
• Won dismissal of multi-million Dollar antitrust claim against corporate scrap metal executive.
• Represented Tier 2 automotive supplier in litigation surrounding the termination of its sales representatives.
• Secured injunctive relief enforcing non-disclosure and non-competition covenants against several employees in the polymers industry.
• Obtained restraining order preventing Food & Drug Administration from blocking the importation of electronic cigarettes, ruling upheld on appeal.
• Successfully defended manufacturer against price discrimination antitrust claim.
• Secured judgment and permanent injunctive relief enforcing manufacturer's trade dress rights in its products.
• Represented auto glass manufacturer in patent litigation against infringing foreign manufacturer.
• Representation of a manufacturer in an action by a distributor alleging violation of the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act.

• "Justice Department Issues First Update to Antitrust Merger Remedies Guidance in a Decade," Thompson Hine Antitrust, Competition & Distribution Update, September 2020
• “Supply Chain Disruptions Bring Compliance Risks to the Forefront,” Thompson Hine COVID-19 Update, April 2020
• “As More Employees Work Remotely, Protecting Trade Secrets Must Remain ‘Essential Business,’” Thompson Hine COVID-19 Update, March 2020
• “Insider Trading Compliance During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Thompson Hine COVID-19 Update, March 2020
• "Novel COVID-19 Virus, Commercial Contracts and Force Majeure," Thompson Hine Business Litigation Update, March 2020
• “U.S. Alleges Huawei Involved in Long-Running Scheme to Steal Trade Secrets,” Thompson Hine White-Collar Update, February 2020
• “U.S. Probes Scientists and Academics with Overseas Ties, Targets Trade Secret Transfers,” Thompson Hine White-Collar Update, January 2020
• Co-author, "DOJ Steps Up Antitrust Enforcement," Crain's Cleveland Business, January 18, 2020
• “Antitrust Agencies Release New Vertical Merger Guidelines,” Thompson Hine Antitrust Law Update, January 2020
• Co-author, "Justice Department Emphasizes Antitrust Enforcement Through Creation of Multi-Agency and Bid-Rigging Strike Force," Thompson Hine Antitrust & Government Contracts Update, November 2019
• Co-author, Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts, Franchising, American Bar Association (4th ed.) 
• “The Defend Trade Secrets Act: Consequences for Trade Secret Litigation,” Thompson Hine Business Litigation Update, July 2014
• “Court Clarifies Foreign Government ‘Instrumentality’ Under FCPA,” Thompson Hine FCPA/Antibribery Update, May 21, 2014
• “Supreme Court Clarifies False Advertising Standing,” Thompson Hine Unfair Competition Update, April 2014
• Editor, Antitrust Discovery Handbook, American Bar Association (3d ed. 2013)
• "Conquer Modern Coconspirator Declarations," For The Defense, January 2013
• "Seeking a Downward Departure for Small Business Impact," For The Defense, July 2011
• Author/editor, Antitrust Law Development (Sixth), 2010 Annual Review, American Bar Association, 2011
• Co-author, "Antitrust Conspiracies in Franchise Systems After American Needle," Franchise Law Journal, 2011
• Contributing author, Business Torts: A Fifty State Guide, Aspen Publishing, 2007 to 2020
• Contributor, Antitrust Handbook for Franchise and Distribution Practitioners, American Bar Association, 2008
• Contributor, Antitrust Law and Economics of Product Distribution, American Bar Association, 2006

• Benchmark Litigation Under 40 Litigation Hot List, 2019-2020
• Selected for inclusion in 2013 to 2019 Ohio Super Lawyers® as a Rising Star
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America^© 2014 to 2021 in the field of Commercial Litigation

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