James Matthew Dow
Practice Areas
Experience
- Business Litigation
- Labor & Employment Litigation
“Managing partner of the Austin office, Matt Dow is an experienced trial lawyer who is regularly sought out to handle complex commercial disputes. Sources noted: 'Matt is very good at preparing a difficult case for trial. He is also very well connected with the local court officials and respected by the local judges.' 'He is very good at keeping things grounded, focused, and scheduled.' 'Matt is a tremendous attorney.'”
— Chambers USA Guide
“Matt is an exceptionally effective litigator in commercial and regulatory disputes. He is business-focused and cost-conscious and works tirelessly to achieve positive results for his clients. Matt can be trusted to handle sensitive, bet-the-company issues.”
— Adam Vandervoort, Chief Legal Officer, Teladoc, Inc.
Biography
…I’m going to make a long speech because I’ve not had time to prepare a short one.
Sir Winston Churchill
Matt Dow is a trial lawyer and the Managing Partner of the Austin office. In his 38 years of practice, Matt has represented clients in business and employment litigation with over 40 trials and arbitrations, including more than 20 jury trials. Matt brings his clients effective advocacy, experienced risk analysis and efficient case management.
Education
B.A., Baylor University
J.D., St. Mary’s University School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas
- United States District Court for the District of Colorado
- In 2022, Matt successfully prosecuted a former employee and the new employer for theft of trade secrets. Matt secured a six figure settlement and a permanent injunction for his client.
- In a two week arbitration in 2021, Matt led his trial team in defeating the claimants’ $20 million contract and wrongful termination claims. The claimants’ recovered only a fraction of their $20 million contract claim with a ruling of no wrongful termination.
- In 2018, Matt represented a data center sued by a cryptocurrency hosting company seeking more than $30 million in damages. Jackson Walker, led by Matt, successfully defeated the plaintiff’s request for an injunction enjoining the collection of rent.
- In November 2017, Matt concluded a six-year battle with the Texas Medical Board on behalf of Teladoc, an industry leader in telemedicine. During that time, Jackson Walker successfully prosecuted three different lawsuits, four injunction hearings, and one appeal; thereby allowing Teladoc to continue doing business in Texas and paving the way for genuine telemedicine in Texas.
- In 2011, successfully represented a quasi-governmental entity in Texas facing constitutional challenges. Jackson Walker obtained a summary judgment disposing of all of the claims. In 2012, after the defendants appealed to the Austin Court of Appeals, Jackson Walker, led by Matt, obtained a successful outcome with the Court of Appeals affirming the trial court’s decision, Garza, et al. v. Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Found., Inc., 03-11-00787-CV, 2012 WL 6726685 (Tex. App.–Austin Dec. 19, 2012, no. pet.).
- In 1994 in one of the first non-compete jury trials in Travis County, Matt successfully represented the former employee in a two-week jury trial on the former employer’s claim for $10 million in damages for theft of trade secrets and unfair competition. The jury found no theft or unfair competition occurred.
- Successfully represented large telecommunications company in a federal court jury trial in a race and age discrimination case. The trial judge granted a directed verdict after the plaintiff rested her case.
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Litigation: General Commercial – Texas: Austin & Surrounds, 2021-2025
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2012-2025
- Commercial Litigation, 2012-2025
- Health Care Law, 2021-2025
- Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2021-2025
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2006-2024
- Top 50: Central/West Texas Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2023
- Super Lawyers – Business Litigation, Super Lawyers – Corporate Counsel Edition, 2006-2009, 2012
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2023-2025
- Opportunity Austin (Economic Development for Austin and surrounding counties), Board Member and General Counsel
- American Board of Trial Advocates – Past President, Austin Chapter
- State Bar of Texas
- Austin Bar Association – Litigation and Employment Law Sections
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Austin Bar Foundation, Fellow
June 5, 2025
Spotlight
Chambers and Partners Releases 2025 USA Guide Featuring 79 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 28 Ranked Departments
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 79 attorneys and 28 departments for inclusion in the 2025 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 29 departments, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 9 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 12 recognized for the first time.
May 9, 2025
Attorney News
Former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht Joins Jackson Walker
Jackson Walker is proud to announce that the Hon. Nathan L. Hecht, former Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, has joined Jackson Walker as a partner in our Austin office.
September 17, 2024
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2024
Jackson Walker proudly announces the selection of 71 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2024 “Texas Super Lawyers” list.
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
September 9, 2024
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates 36 Attorneys Named Among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 36 attorneys to Lawdragon’s 2025 list of the 500 leading litigators in America. The third edition of this list recognizes America’s top talent in antitrust, financial and securities litigation, intellectual property, commercial litigation, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, cybersecurity, and white collar and investigations.
August 15, 2024
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
June 6, 2024
Spotlight
Chambers and Partners Releases 2024 USA Guide Featuring 67 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 23 Ranked Departments
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 67 attorneys and 23 departments for inclusion in the 2024 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 27 departments, with 3 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 8 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 15 recognized for the first time.
September 19, 2023
Attorney News
Super Lawyers Names 7 Jackson Walker Attorneys to Texas Top Lists
Jackson Walker proudly announces Matt Dow, Scott Fiddler, Julia Mann, Alfie Meyerson, Kurt Nondorf, Sarah Patel Pacheco, and Bruce Ruzinsky’s selection to the Texas Top Lists for 2023 by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers.
September 19, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
September 14, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates 35 Attorneys Named Among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America
Jackson Walker announces the selection of 35 attorneys to Lawdragon’s 2024 list of the 500 leading litigators in America.
August 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Practice Experience
- In 2022, Matt successfully prosecuted a former employee and the new employer for theft of trade secrets. Matt secured a six figure settlement and a permanent injunction for his client.
- In a two week arbitration in 2021, Matt led his trial team in defeating the claimants’ $20 million contract and wrongful termination claims. The claimants’ recovered only a fraction of their $20 million contract claim with a ruling of no wrongful termination.
- In 2018, Matt represented a data center sued by a cryptocurrency hosting company seeking more than $30 million in damages. Jackson Walker, led by Matt, successfully defeated the plaintiff’s request for an injunction enjoining the collection of rent.
- In November 2017, Matt concluded a six-year battle with the Texas Medical Board on behalf of Teladoc, an industry leader in telemedicine. During that time, Jackson Walker successfully prosecuted three different lawsuits, four injunction hearings, and one appeal; thereby allowing Teladoc to continue doing business in Texas and paving the way for genuine telemedicine in Texas.
- In 2011, successfully represented a quasi-governmental entity in Texas facing constitutional challenges. Jackson Walker obtained a summary judgment disposing of all of the claims. In 2012, after the defendants appealed to the Austin Court of Appeals, Jackson Walker, led by Matt, obtained a successful outcome with the Court of Appeals affirming the trial court’s decision, Garza, et al. v. Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Found., Inc., 03-11-00787-CV, 2012 WL 6726685 (Tex. App.–Austin Dec. 19, 2012, no. pet.).
- In 1994 in one of the first non-compete jury trials in Travis County, Matt successfully represented the former employee in a two-week jury trial on the former employer’s claim for $10 million in damages for theft of trade secrets and unfair competition. The jury found no theft or unfair competition occurred.
- Successfully represented large telecommunications company in a federal court jury trial in a race and age discrimination case. The trial judge granted a directed verdict after the plaintiff rested her case.
Recognition & Accolades
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Litigation: General Commercial – Texas: Austin & Surrounds, 2021-2025
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2012-2025
- Commercial Litigation, 2012-2025
- Health Care Law, 2021-2025
- Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2021-2025
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2006-2024
- Top 50: Central/West Texas Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2023
- Super Lawyers – Business Litigation, Super Lawyers – Corporate Counsel Edition, 2006-2009, 2012
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2023-2025
Community Involvement
- Opportunity Austin (Economic Development for Austin and surrounding counties), Board Member and General Counsel
- American Board of Trial Advocates – Past President, Austin Chapter
- State Bar of Texas
- Austin Bar Association – Litigation and Employment Law Sections
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Austin Bar Foundation, Fellow