Profile

Matthew DeVries is a Partner in the Firm's Nashville office and a co-leader of the firm's Construction Industry Group. Matt represents clients in every angle of construction, from contract drafting and negotiation to litigation and arbitration of construction disputes. He frequently advises general contractors, subcontractors and architects on issues such as professional and contractor licensing, wage payment and DOL investigations, OSHA violations and accidents, payment and performance bond disputes, and mechanic's lien and payment claims. As a seasoned litigator, Matt has litigated and arbitrated claims spanning virtually every type of project dispute - delays, defects, scope changes, terminations, payment issues, and performance failures - on both public and private jobs.

Matt is the founder of the nationally recognized construction-related blog www.bestpracticesconstructionlaw.com, which focuses on lessons learned, technology, project management, and legal trends in the construction industry.

Living in the Music City for twenty years, a portion of Matt's risk management practice also includes representing artists and social media influencers in general business litigation matters and insurance disputes.

Outside of work, Matt is a single father of seven children and is actively involved in his local church. He enjoys fitness, writing, and helping others build strong lives personally, professionally, and spiritually.

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Languages
Spanish


Bar Admissions

Tennessee

Virginia

District of Columbia

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Tennessee

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit

United States Supreme Court

Education
University of Richmond School of Law, J.D.

American University, B.A., Political Science

Areas of Practice

  • Litigation
  • Real Estate

Professional Career


Professional Activities and Experience
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: Construction Law since 2013; Litigation - Construction since 2021
  • Fellows of the Construction Lawyers Society of America (2017)
  • JD Supra's Readers' Choice Award, Construction Law Recipient (2016-2021, 2023)
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers, "Rising Star" (2011)
  • Engineering News-Record, "Top Up-and-Coming Leader Under 40," South Central Region, Construction Law (2011)
  • Nashville Business Journal, "Commercial Real Estate Most Valuable Player" Award in the Professional Services Category (2010)


Articles

Standardized Contracts: Streamlining Projects in Today's Fast-Paced Construction Market

FIND YOUR WHY: THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN WORK AND LIFE

Construction Law Update: Case Law and Legislation Affecting the Construction Industry

Social media policies versus right to privacy

Engaging a design and construction team

Green Building and the Construction Lawyer: A Practical Guide to Transactional and Litigation Issues

Complimentary E-Book on Construction Best Practices

The Next Chapter of COVID-19 for Contractors

Matthew DeVries, Speaker at the 2024 CLC Leadership Development Conference

Matthew DeVries, Presenter at the Professional Constructor Central

Matthew DeVries, Speaker at the Associated General Contractors of Tennessee 2017 Annual Convention

Matthew DeVries, Speaker at the TDOT 2017 DBE Small Business Annual Meeting

Matthew DeVries, Co-Speaker at the TDOT 2016 DBE Small Business Annual Meeting

Matthew DeVries, Co-Presenter at the Construction Leadership Council, AGC of Middle Tennessee

Matthew DeVries, Speaker at the Alabama AGC State Convention

Matthew DeVries, Speaker at the Tennessee Bar Association

Matthew DeVries, Moderator at the Associated General Contractors of Middle Tennessee Member Luncheon

Insurance and Reconstruction: A Guide for Property Owners Facing Wildfire Aftermath and Other Disasters

Tenn. Court of Appeals Finally Clarifies Contractor Licensing Laws, Holding An "Underlicensed" Contractor Is Violation of Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act

Labor Shortages Overnight? What Every Contractor Needs to Know About ICE Raids and Schedule Impacts

Backpacks, Broadway, and Building Restrictions: A Legal Reminder

The Difference Between Seasonal Adverse Weather and Unusually Severe Weather (and How Contractors Can Protect Against Both)

A Lesson from the Criminal Courtroom to Construction Contractors About Videos and Photos

Matthew DeVries, Guest on LexBlog Podcast: Real Lawyers with Kevin O'Keefe

Court or Arbitration? Why Contractors Can't Afford to Get this Wrong

When Logic Doesn't Matter: Why 'Irrational' Isn't a Ground to Overturn an Arbitration Award in Tennessee

California's Fair Payment Act: What Every Owner, Developer, and Contractor Should Know About SB 440

Construction Expert and Judge Living in the Same Hood Is Not Grounds For Recusal

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