Matthew Welnicki is an experienced litigator and advisor. In litigated matters, Matt obtains successful results for his clients through trial verdicts, dispositive motions, arbitration awards, and negotiated settlements. He argues successfully before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Connecticut Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Outside of litigation, Matt advises clients how to avoid the risks and expenses associated with legal disputes. He is known for finding simple and creative solutions to difficult problems. Matt also conducts investigations for clients regarding sensitive matters.
Matt’s experience includes matters related to regulatory issues, contract negotiations and drafting, policy formation and implementation, shareholder disputes, antitrust claims, product and tort defense, environmental remediation, and many types of commercial, construction, and insurance disputes. While he is based in Massachusetts, Matt handles matters in a number of other jurisdictions across the country. His experience also includes helping clients oversee national litigation and claims programs. Matt’s clients are all sizes: large international corporations, small businesses, government agencies, and individuals. He works with companies such as product manufacturers and distributors, nonprofits, schools and universities, insurance companies, and financial institutions.
In 2023, the Supreme Judicial Court appointed Matt to the five-member Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners. He previously served as special counsel to the Board in a pro bono capacity.
Matt publishes articles frequently and has presented at legal education programs and other seminars.
BEFORE BOWDITCH
Following law school, Matt served as a law clerk to the Justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court, first in Springfield and then in Boston and Cambridge as a senior law clerk. After his clerkship, Matt worked at other Boston litigation firms for over 20 years.
BESIDES WORK
Matt coaches hockey and enjoys golf, snowboarding, and spending time with his wife and three sons.
Affiliations
- Member, Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners
- Vice Chair, Real Estate Law Section Council, Massachusetts Bar Association
- Member, Boston Bar Association
- Board of Directors, Braintree Youth Hockey
Previous
- Special Council, Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners
- Public Interest Leadership Program Class of 2004-2005, Boston Bar Association
- Board of Directors, Quincy College Trust
- Board of Directors, Northeastern University School of Law Alumni
Honors
- Boston magazine’s Top Lawyers List (2021)
- Best Lawyers in America® (2025)
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers list (2013-2025)
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (2007-2012)
- Public Interest Leadership Program, Boston Bar Association (2004)
- AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale Hubbell
Articles + Talks
Articles
- “A Brief Overview of Massachusetts Chapter 93A,” New England Real Estate Journal (2022)
- “Attorney-Client Relationships in the Metaverse,” Today’s General Counsel (2022)
Talks
- “Litigators’ Guide to Experts in Civil Cases,” MCLE (2025)
- “Guide To Mechanic’s Liens,”Massachusetts Bar Association (2024)
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
- United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
- Mohegan Tribe Gaming Disputes Court
Education
- J.D., Northeastern University School of Law
- Boston College
- Unanimous decision affirming the client Board of Bar Examiner’s dismissal of applicant’s bar application
- Multi-million-dollar jury verdict in favor of clients in shareholder and employment dispute
- Paint manufacturing company facing $20,000,000 exposure for Chapter 21E environmental remediation costs; obtained defense verdict for client after six-week jury trial
- Unanimous decision affirming the rejection of antitrust claims against quasi-municipal agency; Court clarified prior law in favor of dismissing claims
- Unanimous panel decision affirming summary judgment in favor of national transportation company client. The Court affirmed that plaintiff’s evidence was insufficient to establish claim.
- Two parties in consolidated trial of disputes between members and employees of closely-held pharmaceutical company; obtained multi-million dollar verdict for clients and secured assets post-trial
- Obtained defense verdict for insurance agency facing breach of contract and bad faith coverage claims for failing to obtain adequate insurance
- Breach of contract/Chapter 93A dispute concerning the provision of software services; obtained defense verdict and recovery on client’s counterclaim
- Defendant facing breach of contract/product/Chapter 93A claims; jury verdict substantially less than pre-trial demand
- Defendant facing trademark infringement claims; jury verdict substantially less than pre-trial demand
- Obtained directed verdict on product liability count before evidence enabling matter to resolve for cost of product
- Dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction over entities and individual in complex dispute involving control and ownership of energy industry business
- Summary judgment on claims against life insurance company involved with dispute over policy lapse provisions
- Early dismissal of USA Hockey and its officers in lawsuit regarding ownership of rights to Junior hockey club
- Dismissal of claims against product manufacturer after demonstrating that plaintiff’s failure to conduct adequate investigation precluded its ability to satisfy its burden on causation
- Successful on appeal vacating verdict and judgment in defamation case
- Various small claims trials/district court bench trial under former Section 102C procedure and product liability arbitrations through Arbitration Forums
- Advised local university about various issues surrounding student loans, including loans for foreign students
- Advises companies with respect to range of issues associated with product sales and disputes throughout the country, including contract-based disputes with suppliers and resellers
- DPU advice and representation for utility company
- Representation and advice for clients on environmental matters
- Advising life and disability companies on various issues
- Advice on employment, contract, and insurance matters as well as shareholder disputes in closely-held entities