Matthew Chakmakian
Special Counsel
- Email Address
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- Location
- New Jersey
- Phone number
- (973) 503-5916
From individuals to multinational corporations, Matthew Chakmakian helps clients in all stages of litigation and arbitration, with a particular focus on commercial litigation and consumer class action defense.
Matthew frequently handles complex business disputes, high-exposure class actions, and government enforcement actions. Matthew has guided clients through litigations arising out of mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate deals, and complex lending agreements. He also has deep experience representing consumer-facing companies in class actions and mass arbitrations.
Beyond that, Matthew has briefed numerous appeals in state and federal appellate courts across the country, ranging from New Jersey to Washington state.
Matthew began his career as a judicial law clerk for Associate Justice Jaynee LaVecchia of the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Served as trial counsel for the State of New Jersey in prosecuting New Jersey’s case against DuPont for knowingly discharging PFAS and other contamination from DuPont’s Chambers Works site into the waters and environment of New Jersey for decades. Following a month of trial in federal court in Camden, DuPont and related companies agreed to a record setting settlement with New Jersey valued at $2 billion in remediation, restoration, costs, and damages. On the eve of this trial, 3M settled-out for up to $450 million more in PFAS damages to New Jersey. At $2 billion, DuPont’s settlement with New Jersey is the largest environmental recovery for a single plaintiff – and is one of the largest legal recoveries of any kind – in the history of the country.
Representing a national testing laboratory in an action brought against a landlord who repudiated the purchase option provisions in a lease. The matter is currently in discovery.
Member of the team that obtained dismissal of “false discount” claims against a major national retailer.
Member of the team that obtained dismissal of false advertising class action against multinational consumer goods company alleging that the company falsely markets personal care products as “hypoallergenic” and “tear-free.”
Member of the team that obtained dismissal of various fraud-based claims against an international real estate brokerage firm arising out of the lease of a high-value rental property.
Member of the team currently defending a dietary supplement company in an enforcement action brought by the Federal Trade Commission and the New York Attorney General’s office.
Member of the team representing the State of New Jersey seeking recovery for environmental contamination related to PFAS.
Recognized as a leading practitioner by US Legal 500, a Legalease Publication, for his work in the area of Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Consumer Products, 2024. A description of the selection methodology can be found here.
No aspect of these advertisements have been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Matthew is an attorney mentor for New Jersey Law and Education Empowerment Program.