Matthew F. (Matt) McLean is a Partner in the Bozeman, Montana office and handles matters throughout Montana and Wyoming. Matt received his J.D. with Honors from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1995 and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wyoming as well. Matt’s practice focuses on construction law and appellate practice. He has represented a variety of clients, including architects, engineers, owners, contractors, product manufacturers, and retailers in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration and mediation proceedings. Matt has experience representing parties in disputes arising out of a wide variety of public and private construction projects and has served as a mediator in construction disputes. Matt also has helped clients negotiate and draft contracts for a wide variety of construction projects, including multi-million dollar commercial construction projects, hospital construction projects, school construction projects, public works projects and large and small residential projects.
Practice Areas
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- Appellate
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- Commercial Litigation
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- Construction Law
- Construction Defects
- Contract Drafting and Negotiation
- Lien and Bond Claims
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Professional Liability
Bar Admission
Wyoming, 1995
U.S. District Court for Wyoming, 1995
Colorado, 1995
U.S. District Court for Colorado, 1995
U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, 1995
Montana, 1996
U. S. District Court for Montana, 1996
U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2002
U.S. District Court for North Dakota, 2013
Education
1995 – J.D. with Honors, University of Wyoming College of Law
1992 – B.A. with Honors in Psychology/Administration of Justice, University of Wyoming
Honors & Awards
Order of the Coif
Phi Beta Kappa
AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Best Lawyers in America for Litigation- Construction (2018 – present)
Best Lawyers in America – Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Construction (2022)
Montana States Super Lawyer – Construction Litigation (2020)
Community Involvement
Bozeman Blitzz U-12 Girls Assistant Coach, 2008-09
Bozeman Blitzz U-14 and U-16 Girls Team Administrator 2010-2016
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Montana
Montana Defense Trial Lawyers Association
Gallatin County Bar Association
Defense Research Institute (DRI)
Defense Lawyers of Wyoming
Wyoming State Bar Association
Wyoming Trail Lawyers Association
Reported Decisions / Cases
Zirkelbach Construction, Inc. v. DOWL LLC d/b/a DOWL HKM, 402 P.3d 1244 (Mont. 2017)
JEM Contracting, Inc. v. Morrison-Maierle, 318 P.3d 678 (Mont. 2014)
Excel Const., Inc. v. HKM Engineering, Inc., 228 P.3d 40 (Wyo. 2010)
Bunch v. Lancair Int’l, Inc. et al., 202 P.3d 784 (Mont. 2009)
Anderson v. Two Dot Ranch, Inc., 49 P.3d 1001 (Wyo. 2002)