Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP attorney Matthew D. Seeley.

Matthew D. Seeley

Attorney

Matt’s strong work ethic, attention to detail, and team-oriented nature fit right in at Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP.  He is also keenly aware of our clients’ propensity to focus on the business of construction and getting the job done. 

Attorneys

zfrryrl@sgoynj.pbz

(858) 737-3100, Ext. 3030

(858) 737-3101

PROFILE

Matthew (Matt) Seeley is a litigator who works with business owners, in-house counsel, project executives, and managers to provide legal advice focused on construction and business law. Clients include general contractors, subcontractors, engineering firms, and owners.

Matt’s practice involves complex and large-scale public and private works, owner/ general contractor disputes, general/subcontractor disputes, joint-venture disputes, False Claims Act litigation, qui tam/whistleblower claims, contract defaults, surety bond and Miller Act claims, public bidding and bid protests, subcontractor substitutions, and lien law. His practice also includes trademarks, contract negotiations, and other general business litigation such as breach of contract actions, commercial disputes, and more.

Matt’s strong work ethic, attention to detail, and team-oriented nature fit right in at Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP. He is keenly aware of our clients’ propensity to focus on the business of construction and getting the job done. It is also why Matt’s ability to work efficiently is welcomed by clients seeking to achieve cost-effective objectives.

Matt received his law degree from the University of San Diego where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, was awarded the Dean’s Outstanding Scholarship, and was a member of the mock trial team. Matt began his career at Finch Thornton & Baird LLP as a law clerk and also spent a semester of law school at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. Matt earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Washington.

After over three years as an attorney in our primary San Diego office, Matt moved home to Washington state to assist the firm with opening its first Seattle-area office. Matt now practices in both Washington and California.

PUBLIC BIDDING AND BID PROTESTs

Matt represents general contractors during the bidding and award process on a variety of public works projects. Matt understands the intricacies of public bidding laws and the bid protest process. His practice has focused on both filing bid protests and defending against bid protests on multiple types of public works projects including hard bid contracts, lease-leaseback contracts, and best-value contracts.

GENERAL LITIGATION

For businesses and individuals, Matt delivers legal counsel, practical advice, and aggressive representation to general litigation matters. These include breach of contract actions, product and services contract issues, home construction disputes, neighbor disputes, and more. Matt’s ability to adapt arguments for novel factual circumstances benefit our clients’ interests. Pre-litigation resolution of claims helps to minimize the duration and cost of legal services necessary.

MECHANIC’S LIEN, STOP PAYMENT NOTICE, AND BOND CLAIMS

The need for fair and prompt resolution of payment claims are regular occurrences for general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and sureties. Each has their own set of priorities, too. To make sense of it all demands knowledge of the statutory requirements for making claims and the provisions that allow for withholding funds when appropriate. Fully understanding the details of claims brought against firm clients is imperative. From aggressively fighting trumped-up or illegitimate claims, to getting subcontractors and suppliers paid, to ensuring equitable distribution of claims among the surety or co-sureties, Matt provides valuable assistance to accomplish your goals.

Federal Procurement and CLAIMS

The highly regulated federal construction domain presents frequent challenges to both federal prime contractors and subcontractors.  Payment disputes with the government or between subcontractors and prime contractors are common.  Matt works with contractors on issues relating to the Federal Acquisition Regulations, the Request for Equitable Adjustment (REA) process, and the Contract Disputes Act and Miller Act. 

EXPERIENCE

  • Construction litigation
  • Public works of improvement and government contracts, including projects with local public agencies,
    cities, counties, state agencies, and federal government
  • Delay, inefficiency, and extra work claims
  • Surety obligations
  • Mechanic’s liens
  • Stop payment notices
  • Payment bond claims
  • Performance bond claims
  • Transactional matters specializing in the drafting and review of construction project agreements and public procurement compliance
  • Local, state, and federal bid protests
  • General business litigation

RESULTS

Firm Assists as Project Counsel
July 31, 2026

The firm’s client was the prime contractor on a public street rehabilitation project. During project close out, the owner refused to pay the client for quantities of grinding work performed, contending the amounts were not owed because the owner’s inspector had not verified the quantities at the time the work was performed. The firm successfully argued the client was not responsible for the owner’s failure to field verify, and the continued withholding was impermissible under the contract and California law. As a result, the client was quickly paid in full.

Counsel: Daniel P. Scholz, Esq. and Matthew D. Seeley, Esq. 

Firm Successfully Secures Approximately $900,000 for Prime Contractor Without Litigation
July 23, 2026

The firm’s client was the prime contractor on a public work of improvement for a California school district.  When the school district failed to timely process five payment applications and improperly withheld approximately $900,000.00, the contractor turned to our firm for assistance. By presenting a well-documented formal claim under Public Contract Code section 9204 and leading targeted meet and confer sessions with district officials, the firm successfully recovered 100 percent of the outstanding funds for the client—achieving a complete victory without the delay and expense of protracted litigation.

Counsel: Daniel P. Scholz, Esq. and Matthew D. Seeley, Esq. 

Casino Builder Recovers from Wall Covering Subcontractor
July 18, 2026

The firm represented an ENR West top 5 contractor in recovery from a subcontractor of the costs for removal and re-procurement/replacement related to noise-suppressing wall coverings in a high-end casino restaurant. The firm’s lawyers leveraged their relationship with opposing counsel to early mediate the claims to resolution.  The firm recovered the contractor’s loss at a cost of less than 15 percent of the amount recovered.

Counsel: P. Randolph Finch Jr., Esq., Daniel P. Scholz, Esq. and Matthew D. Seeley, Esq. 

Firm Wins License Defense in Arbitration
June 11, 2026

In a general contractor versus subcontractor dispute, the firm challenged the general contractor’s license status contending the Responsible Managing Officer did not meet the statutory requirements of that role, resulting in the contractor not being duly licensed. The Arbitrator agreed and barred the general contractor’s claim.

Counsel: P. Randolph Finch Jr., Esq., Daniel P. Scholz, Esq. and Matthew D. Seeley, Esq. 

Firm Defends Non-Profit
June 3, 2026

The firm represented a national non-profit dedicated to assisting black contractors in the construction industry.  The firm’s client was sued by a homeowner under an alter-ego theory related to a dispute between the homeowner and an unrelated contractor. The homeowner brought numerous causes of action against the client, including financial elder abuse under Welfare & Institutions Code section 15610.30; unfair business practices under Business & Professions Code section 17200; breach of contract; breach of fiduciary duty; negligence; negligence per se; intentional misrepresentation; negligent misrepresentation; gender discrimination; and false promise. The firm successfully brought a motion for summary judgment against all of the homeowner’s claims, resulting in a complete victory for the firm’s client.

Counsel: Daniel P. Scholz, Esq. and Matthew D. Seeley, Esq. 

SUCCESSFUL BID PROTEST BASED ON UNWAIVABLE FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ADDENDA BY APPARENT LOW BIDDER
May 13, 2026

The firm’s client was the second low bidder on a roughly $760,000.00 public works project. The firm filed a bid protest on behalf of the client, contending the apparent low bidder must be disqualified as non-responsive on the grounds it failed to acknowledge the four pre-bid addenda published by the public entity on its bid form and as required by the bid documents. The public entity granted the protest, disqualified the low apparent bidder, and awarded the project to the firm’s client.

Counsel: Daniel P. Scholz, Esq. and Matthew D. Seeley, Esq. 

Recovery From City For Costs Arising From Differing Site Conditions
February 24, 2026

The firm represented a general engineering contractor in presenting and proving differing site condition claims related to a utility vault in the way of road improvements for a City project. The firm assisted the client in the delay and cost analysis. The firm then mediated a mid-project recovery and schedule reset —preventing the client from long-term financing of the City’s liability.

Counsel: P. Randolph Finch Jr., Daniel P. Scholz, and Matthew D. Seeley

Real Estate Investment Firm v. Developer/ Builder
January 26, 2026

The firm’s client purchased a portfolio of apartments which were later discovered to contain substandard work.  The firm investigated and pursued claims against the developer/ builder, and obtained payment for its client of substantially all of the costs of remedying the defects.

Counsel: P. Randolph Finch Jr. and Daniel P. Scholz, and Matthew D. Seeley

PROFILE

Matthew (Matt) Seeley works with in-house counsel, business owners, project executives, and managers to provide legal advice focused on construction law and real property. This includes matters involving public and private construction claims and disputes, insurance coverage, real estate, and commercial litigation. Clients include general contractors, subcontractors, engineering firms, and owners.

Matt’s strong work ethic, attention to detail, and team-oriented nature fit right in at Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP.  He is keenly aware of our clients’ propensity to focus on the business of construction and getting the job done.  It is also why Matt’s ability to work efficiently is welcomed by clients seeking to achieve cost-effective objectives.

CLAIMS and disputes

Delays and disputes over contract interpretation, work delays, breach by subcontractors, and not being paid by owners are common.  Matt understands that keeping critical subcontractors working on a project and minimizing the harmful effects of work slow-downs, stoppages, or litigation are part of an effective legal strategy. 

MECHANIC’S LIEN, STOP PAYMENT NOTICE, AND BOND CLAIMS

Matt represents business and residential property owners on a variety of matters including tenant disputes, real estate transactions, and more.  Attention to detail, strong research and writing skills, and an aptitude for innovative legal strategies serve Matt — and the firm’s clients — very well.

Federal Procurement and CLAIMS

The highly regulated federal construction domain presents frequent challenges to both federal prime contractors and subcontractors.  Payment disputes with the government or between subcontractors and prime contractors are common.  Matt works with contractors on issues relating to the Federal Acquisition Regulations, the Request for Equitable Adjustment (REA) process, and the Contract Disputes Act and Miller Act. 

EXPERIENCE

  • Construction litigation
  • Public works of improvement and government contracts, including projects with local public agencies,
    cities, counties, state agencies, and federal government
  • Delay, inefficiency, and extra work claims
  • Surety obligations
  • Mechanic’s liens
  • Stop payment notices
  • Payment bond claims
  • Performance bond claims
  • Transactional matters specializing in the drafting and review of construction project agreements and public procurement compliance
  • Local, state, and federal bid protests
  • General business litigation

RESULTS

Firm Assists as Project Counsel
July 31, 2026

The firm’s client was the prime contractor on a public street rehabilitation project. During project close out, the owner refused to pay the client for quantities of grinding work performed, contending the amounts were not owed because the owner’s inspector had not verified the quantities at the time the work was performed. The firm successfully argued the client was not responsible for the owner’s failure to field verify, and the continued withholding was impermissible under the contract and California law. As a result, the client was quickly paid in full.

Counsel: Daniel P. Scholz, Esq. and Matthew D. Seeley, Esq. 

Firm Successfully Secures Approximately $900,000 for Prime Contractor Without Litigation
July 23, 2026

The firm’s client was the prime contractor on a public work of improvement for a California school district.  When the school district failed to timely process five payment applications and improperly withheld approximately $900,000.00, the contractor turned to our firm for assistance. By presenting a well-documented formal claim under Public Contract Code section 9204 and leading targeted meet and confer sessions with district officials, the firm successfully recovered 100 percent of the outstanding funds for the client—achieving a complete victory without the delay and expense of protracted litigation.

Counsel: Daniel P. Scholz, Esq. and Matthew D. Seeley, Esq. 

Casino Builder Recovers from Wall Covering Subcontractor
July 18, 2026

The firm represented an ENR West top 5 contractor in recovery from a subcontractor of the costs for removal and re-procurement/replacement related to noise-suppressing wall coverings in a high-end casino restaurant. The firm’s lawyers leveraged their relationship with opposing counsel to early mediate the claims to resolution.  The firm recovered the contractor’s loss at a cost of less than 15 percent of the amount recovered.

Counsel: P. Randolph Finch Jr., Esq., Daniel P. Scholz, Esq. and Matthew D. Seeley, Esq. 

Firm Wins License Defense in Arbitration
June 11, 2026

In a general contractor versus subcontractor dispute, the firm challenged the general contractor’s license status contending the Responsible Managing Officer did not meet the statutory requirements of that role, resulting in the contractor not being duly licensed. The Arbitrator agreed and barred the general contractor’s claim.

Counsel: P. Randolph Finch Jr., Esq., Daniel P. Scholz, Esq. and Matthew D. Seeley, Esq. 

Firm Defends Non-Profit
June 3, 2026

The firm represented a national non-profit dedicated to assisting black contractors in the construction industry.  The firm’s client was sued by a homeowner under an alter-ego theory related to a dispute between the homeowner and an unrelated contractor. The homeowner brought numerous causes of action against the client, including financial elder abuse under Welfare & Institutions Code section 15610.30; unfair business practices under Business & Professions Code section 17200; breach of contract; breach of fiduciary duty; negligence; negligence per se; intentional misrepresentation; negligent misrepresentation; gender discrimination; and false promise. The firm successfully brought a motion for summary judgment against all of the homeowner’s claims, resulting in a complete victory for the firm’s client.

Counsel: Daniel P. Scholz, Esq. and Matthew D. Seeley, Esq. 

SUCCESSFUL BID PROTEST BASED ON UNWAIVABLE FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ADDENDA BY APPARENT LOW BIDDER
May 13, 2026

The firm’s client was the second low bidder on a roughly $760,000.00 public works project. The firm filed a bid protest on behalf of the client, contending the apparent low bidder must be disqualified as non-responsive on the grounds it failed to acknowledge the four pre-bid addenda published by the public entity on its bid form and as required by the bid documents. The public entity granted the protest, disqualified the low apparent bidder, and awarded the project to the firm’s client.

Counsel: Daniel P. Scholz, Esq. and Matthew D. Seeley, Esq. 

Recovery From City For Costs Arising From Differing Site Conditions
February 24, 2026

The firm represented a general engineering contractor in presenting and proving differing site condition claims related to a utility vault in the way of road improvements for a City project. The firm assisted the client in the delay and cost analysis. The firm then mediated a mid-project recovery and schedule reset —preventing the client from long-term financing of the City’s liability.

Counsel: P. Randolph Finch Jr., Daniel P. Scholz, and Matthew D. Seeley

Real Estate Investment Firm v. Developer/ Builder
January 26, 2026

The firm’s client purchased a portfolio of apartments which were later discovered to contain substandard work.  The firm investigated and pursued claims against the developer/ builder, and obtained payment for its client of substantially all of the costs of remedying the defects.

Counsel: P. Randolph Finch Jr. and Daniel P. Scholz, and Matthew D. Seeley

Matt’s strong work ethic, attention to detail, and team-oriented nature fit right in at Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP.  He is also keenly aware of our clients’ propensity to focus on the business of construction and getting the job done. 

Attorneys

zfrryrl@sgoynj.pbz

(858) 737-3100

(858) 737-3101

SUPPORT

Téa M. Massi
Legal Secretary

gznffv@sgoynj.pbz

PRACTICES

  • Construction Law
    • Claims & Disputes
    • Local Agency, Municipal & State Contracts
    • Federal Procurement & Claims
    • Prime Contracts & Subcontracts
  • Business & Commercial Litigation

ADMISSIONS

  • California: State Courts
  • U.S. District Courts of California: Northern, Southern, and Central
  • Washington: State Courts
  • U.S. District Courts of Washington: Western

EDUCATION

  • University of San Diego School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude
    • Order of the Coif
    • Dean’s Outstanding Scholarship Recipient
    • National Mock Trial Team
    • Journal of Climate & Energy Law
  • University of Washington, B.A., Political Science
    • Dean’s List
    • National Society of Collegiate Scholars

MEMBERSHIPS

  • State Bar of California
  • U.S. District Courts of California:
    Northern, Southern
  • Washington: State Courts
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