Senior Partner
Languages spoken
English | Japanese
Matthew E. Digby’s practice concentrates on litigation, US- and Japan-based commercial relations, and international commercial law matters.
Matt advises international and Japan-based corporations concerning legal aspects of importation and distribution of goods in the United States; protection of trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property matters; avoiding unfair import and trade practices; antitrust; and manufacturer-dealer relations.
Matt has successfully enforced trademark rights for a variety of companies based in Japan, Europe and the United States in litigation in the United States District Court in Los Angeles and has been involved in patent, trade secret and other intellectual property litigations throughout the United States.
Matt is a member of several professional organizations including the Tokyo Daiichi Bar Association and serves on the Board of Governors of the Japan America Society of Southern California. In 2006 and 2008, Matt was recognized as a Southern California Super Lawyer by Law & Politics and Los Angeles magazines.
Defending five major Japan-based manufacturing companies and several of their US subsidiaries in federal and state court cases arising out of claims for forced labor by prisoners of war and civilians during World War II. The defendants prevailed in all of the cases, which reached the US and California Supreme Courts.
Defending a major Japan-based logistics company against allegations of horizontal price-fixing by the US Department of Justice and in companion US District Court civil litigation.
Defending a luxury-brand cosmetics and clothing manufacturer in employment litigation.
Successfully defending a subsidiary of one of Japan’s largest electronic products manufacturers before New York’s highest court in a dispute with a distributor over goods sold and delivered.
Defending a Japan-based manufacturing company against charges of theft of trade secrets in a proceeding in US District Court, including the defense of the president and several executives of the company at Japanese-language depositions in Japan.
Defending a Japan-based manufacturer of high-tech machine tools in a patent infringement action before the US International Trade Commission in Washington DC including defense of the company president and several executives at Japanese-language depositions in Japan.
Defending a major Japan-based manufacturer and its subsidiary in environmental litigation in the California Superior Court.
Successfully defending a major Japanese beverage manufacturer and its US subsidiary in federal district and appellate court class action for unfair competition.
Successfully defending a major Japanese cement manufacturer in federal district and appellate court action for alleged antitrust law violations.