Celebrating Over 75 Years of Serving Nevada’s Legal, Business, Government, and Civic Communities
Professional Background
A lifelong resident of Reno, Matt joined McDonald Carano in 1989 as a first-year law clerk, became an Associate in 1991, a Partner in 1998, and served as Managing Partner of the Reno office from 2018 through 2025. He is Co-Chair of McDonald Carano’s Construction Law & Litigation Practice and also has a substantial commercial and complex litigation practice. Matt has received four Lawyer of the Year awards from The Best Lawyers in America for the northern Nevada region – Lawyer of the Year in Construction Litigation (2026, 2024, 2016) and Lawyer of the Year in Construction Law (2025).
Matt’s community support and public service include serving on the Board of Directors for the Washoe County Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association and the Executive Committee of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada. He also is an active supporter of the Nevada Military Support Alliance, Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, and Nevada Women’s Fund. In 2025, McDonald Carano was the only law firm recognized in the inaugural Best Places for Women to Work in Northern Nevada survey created by the Nevada Women’s Fund. McDonald Carano is recognized in the categories of Empowerment Through Mentorship and Empowerment Through Purpose Driven Work.
Matt has served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Nevada State Contractors’ Board, Judge Pro Tem for Reno Municipal Court, and Settlement Judge Pro Tem for El Dorado County Superior Court’s ADR/Case Management Department.
Education and Certifications
- J.D., Santa Clara University, 1991
- B.A., UCLA, International Relations, 1988
Bar Admissions
- Nevada
- California
Representative Experience
Matt’s comprehensive construction law experience encompasses dispute resolution (arbitration, mediation, litigation, pre-litigation counseling on troubled projects); project planning and advice (selection of project delivery method, bidding strategy and process); contracts and contracting (plan, structure, draft, negotiate construction contract documents); and project execution (compliance, permitting, insurance, bonding, performance, payment).
Matt’s clients primarily include contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, engineers, owners, and developers. He has handled claims of all types, including design and construction defects, work performance and quality, changed or unforeseen conditions, delays, disruptions, loss of productivity, acceleration, payment disputes, back charges, and bid protests and disputes. Matt provides realistic assessments of entitlement issues, damages, litigation costs, litigation risks and settlement options.
Matt’s construction law related experience also includes clients in the mining sector. For example, Matt assists a major gold-producing complex with the negotiation and finalization of its supply chain and construction contracts. He also served as Nevada legal counsel for a copper mine advising on over $10 million in mechanic’s liens involved in the mine’s bankruptcy proceedings, including potential litigation of lien-related adversary matters.
Awards and Recognition
- Martindale-Hubbell – AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating (since 2007)
- The Best Lawyers in America – Commercial Litigation (2008-2026), Construction Litigation (2011-2026), Construction Law (2020-2026), Arbitration (2023-2026)
- The Best Lawyers in America – “Lawyer of the Year” in Construction Law (2025)
- The Best Lawyers in America – “Lawyer of the Year” in Construction Litigation (2026, 2024, 2016)
- The Construction Attorneys – Guide to recommended construction attorneys (2024-2026)
- Northern Nevada Business Weekly, Best In Business awards – “Influential Leader” (2022-2025)
- Mountain States Super Lawyers Magazine – “Super Lawyers” (2023-2025)
- Nevada Business Magazine – “Top Rank Attorneys” (2025, 2024, 2023, 2020, 2015-2018, 2012, 2011)
Publications
- Feature Interview, “Changes in Nevada’s Business Courts: What Business Owners Should Know About Litigating in Nevada,” Nevada Business Magazine, August 2025
- Quoted, “Judge In Fatal Crash Remembered As Extraordinary Mentor,” Law360, May 30, 2024
- Feature Interview, “Powerhouse Reno Law Firm Celebrates 75 Years,” Northern Nevada Business Weekly, April 24, 2024
- Feature Interview, “McDonald Carano Leader Sees Parties Abusing Force Majeure,” Law360 Real Estate Authority, April 10, 2024
- Author, “Five Tips to Help New Partners Succeed,” Of Counsel: The Legal Practice and Management Report, January 2024
- Quoted, “Midsize Firms Positioned for Recruitment Success,” Of Counsel: The Legal Practice and Management Report, February 2023
- Quoted, “Outlook and Priorities for 2023,” Of Counsel: The Legal Practice and Management Report, December 2022
- Quoted, “What’s Hot, What’s Not: A Projection of Growing and Slowing Practices in 2022,” Of Counsel: The Legal Practice and Management Report, January 2022
- Quoted, “COVID-19 hammered offices nationwide. Here’s how it’s changing Reno’s workplaces,” Reno Gazette Journal, April 25, 2022
- Feature Interview, “Forward-Thinking Litigator and Partner Helps Nevada Firm’s Reno Office Grow and Flourish,” Of Counsel: The Legal Practice and Management Report, December 2020
- Quoted, “Bye To Bad Habits: Lawyers Share Resolutions For 2020,” Law360, January 24, 2020
- Quoted, “Despite Strenuous Hours, Deadlines, and Demands, Many Lawyers Find Happiness,” Of Counsel: The Legal Practice and Management Report, November 2017
Professional Affiliations
- Nevada Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America
- U.S. District Court, District of Nevada, Lawyer Representative (2003-2005) and Northern Division Chair (2005)
- Member, Washoe County Bar Association, President (2001-2002), Board Member, Volunteer Lawyers (1998-2001)
- American Inns of Court, Bruce R. Thompson Chapter, Barrister (1998-2001), Pupil (1991-1993, 1996-1998)
- President, Association of Defense Counsel of Northern Nevada (1998)
Community Involvement
- Board of Directors, Washoe County Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association (serves in the appointed position of Chief Deputy)
- Executive Committee (Secretary) and Board of Trustees, Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada
- Graduate, Truckee Meadows Citizens’ Police Academy (2009)
- Graduate, FBI Citizens’ Academy (2018)
News
26 Reno Office Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2026
McDonald Carano proudly announces that 22 of our Reno office lawyers have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and four lawyers…
Matt Addison Receives Influential Leader Recognition
McDonald Carano congratulates Matt Addison on his fourth consecutive annual recognition in the “Influential Leader” category in Northern Nevada Business Weekly’s Best In Business Awards 2025. The Best In Business…
1st Place Law Firm and 1st Place Most Philanthropic Company in Best In Business Awards
Northern Nevada Business Weekly announced the results of its 2025 Best In Business Awards and McDonald Carano LLP received 1st Place in two categories – Law Firm and Most Philanthropic…