F. Matthew Ralph
PEOPLE

F. Matthew Ralph

Partner
ralph.matthew@dorsey.com

Overview

MATT REPRESENTS CLIENTS IN ANTITRUST AND OTHER COMPLEX LITIGATION. HE SERVES HIS CLIENTS WITH PASSION, CONVICTION, AND IMAGINATION.

Matt is Co-Chair of Dorsey’s Antitrust Practice Group and a member of Dorsey’s Commercial Litigation Group. He specializes in antitrust, competition law, and other complex litigation. He has represented companies on antitrust litigation matters involving the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, government investigations, horizontal price-fixing and bid-rigging, vertical restraints, monopolization and attempted monopolization, exclusive dealing, loyalty discounts, bundled discounts, Walker Process fraud, and the Noerr-Pennington doctrine. Matt has experience in numerous industries, including financial services, transportation, optical, entertainment, telecommunications, and medical devices.

Matt has also represented clients in complex contractual and competitor disputes, non-compete litigation, Foreign Sovereign Immunity matters, international arbitrations, securities and ERISA class actions, First Amendment, and consumer protection matters.

Matt has won cases in federal and state courts throughout the country, in district court and on appeal. Matt was acknowledged as a Chambers Recognized Practitioner in Antitrust Law from 2017 to 2019 and a Minnesota Super Lawyer in Antitrust Litigation from 2015 to 2018. He was a Minnesota Lawyer Attorney of the Year in 2013. Matt is an active member of the ABA’s Antitrust Section, an Assistant Editor of Antitrust Law Journal, and former chair of the Antitrust Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association (2013). Matt has also taught antitrust as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and at St. Thomas Law School.

Matt was named a Dorsey Partner of the Year in 2016 and has twice won Dorsey’s Scales of Justice Award (in 2010 and 2016) for outstanding pro bono work.

Before joining Dorsey, Matt clerked for the Hon. Diana E. Murphy on the Eighth Circuit. Matt graduated from the University of Michigan Law School, where he served as Executive Article Editor for Michigan Law Review and was named best oralist in the Jessup International Law Moot Court regional competition. Matt also earned an M.A. in European Intellectual History from University of Wisconsin and an A.B. in history from Dartmouth College.

Education & Admissions

University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 2001), cum laude; Executive Article Editor, Michigan Law Review 

University of Wisconsin (M.A., German Intellectual History, 1996)

Dartmouth College (B.A. History, 1992), magna cum laude

Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • Montana
  • Arizona
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth, Eighth and Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Clerkships

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Diana E. Murphy, 2001-2002

Experience

Representative Work

Antitrust Cases 
  • Lead counsel for independent movie theater alleging monopolization claims based on circuit dealing and clearances; case settled after defendant’s motion to dismiss was denied. Cinetopia LLC v. AMC Entm’t Holdings, Inc., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21660 (D. Kan. Dec. 27, 2018)
  • Lead counsel for national bank in suit alleging price-fixing conspiracy related to credit card security chips; client dismissed on Rule 12 motion. B & R Supermarket, Inc. v. Visa, Inc., 2016 WL 5725100 (N.D. Cal. Sep. 30, 2016) 
  • Lead counsel for corrective lens manufacturer alleging monopolization claims; case settled shortly before trial. Insight Equity A.P. X, LP d/b/a Vision-Ease Lens Worldwide v. Transitions Optical, Inc., 2016 WL 3610155 (D. Del. Jul. 1, 2016) (prevailing on summary judgment motion); 2017 WL 1900738 (D. Del. May 9, 2017) (prevailing on Daubert motion)
  • Represented national freight broker in non-compete litigation that settled during trial; obtained pre-trial dismissal of monopolization counterclaims. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. v. XPO Logistics, Inc. (Hennepin County, MN)  
  • Defended emergency medical services provider against monopolization allegations; client dismissed on Rule 12 motion on immunity grounds. AmeriCare MedServices, Inc. v. City of Anaheim, No. 8:16-cv-1703 (C.D. Cal.)
  • Defending patent holder against claims of Walker Process fraud. Cave Consulting Group, Inc. v. OptumInsight, Inc. (N.D. Cal.)
  • Defended investment bank against bid-rigging allegations. In re: Municipal Derivatives Antitrust Litig. (S.D.N.Y.)   
  • Defended arbitration service provider against allegations of conspiracy to implement mandatory arbitration and class action waiver clauses in credit card contracts. In re: National Arbitration Forum Litig. (D. Minn.)  
  • Represented manufacturer of insulin syringes asserting antitrust claims. UltiMed, Inc. v. Becton, Dickinson and Company (D. Minn.)

Consumer Fraud / First Amendment

  • Defended publisher against consumer fraud claims based on alleged falsehoods in Lance Armstrong’s best-selling autobiography It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life; client dismissed on Anti-SLAPP motion. Stutzman v. Armstrong, No. 2:13-CV-00116, 2013 WL 4853333 (E.D. Cal. Sep. 10, 2013)
  • Defended publisher against consumer fraud claims based on alleged falsehoods in Greg Mortenson’s best-selling autobiographies Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools; client dismissed on Rule 12 motion. Pfau v. Mortenson, 858 F.Supp.2d 1150 (D. Mont. Apr. 30, 2012), aff’d 542 Fed. Appx. 557 (9th Cir. Oct. 9, 2013)

International

Represented Republic of Ghana in litigation matters in the U.S. and in international arbitration

Class Actions

  • Town of Davie Police Officer Retirement System v. RightNow Technologies, Inc. (18th Mont. Jud. Dist.) Defended high-tech company in shareholder litigation related to cash-out merger
  • Morrison v. MoneyGram Int’l, Inc. (D. Minn.) Defended Company, officers, and directors against allegations that it was imprudent to maintain Company stock in 401(k) due to Company’s investment portfolio risk in mortgage-related securities
  • In re Touch America Holdings, Inc. ERISA Litig. (D. Mont.) Defended former officers against allegations that it was imprudent to maintain Company stock in an ESOP during a corporate restructuring and divestiture
  • In re ADC Telecommunications ERISA Litig. (D. Minn.) Defended public company against allegations that it was imprudent to maintain a Company stock fund in the Company's 401(k) plan during the telecommunications downturn  

News & Resources

Articles

Back to the Future: 2023 Merger Guidelines Reach into History to Support Enlarged Antitrust Enforcement Agenda
DOJ Puts Recipients of Federal Funds on Notice: New “Procurement Collusion Strike Force” to Focus Antitrust Scrutiny on Public Procurement and Grant Transactions
Leegin's 10-Year Checkup: State RPM Rules Vs. Federal Rule
Supreme Court Decides Two First Amendment Cases
Barry Glazer, Matthew Ralph, Peter Tannion, "New European Commission Proposals To Permit Private Antitrust and Class Actions".
"Actavis" Case Analysis: Supreme Court Says Certain Patent Infringement Settlements Could Violate Antitrust Laws
F. Matthew Ralph Completes Term as MSBA Antitrust Section Chair
F. Matthew Ralph Named Co-Chair of Dorsey Antitrust Practice Group
"E-Discovery and Antitrust Litigation," "Antitrust Magazine"

News & Press Mentions

200 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 30 Dorsey Lawyers and 10 Practices in Minneapolis
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Four Dorsey Partners Recognized Among Power 30
F. Matthew Ralph Selected by Minnesota Lawyer as a POWER 30 Top M&A Attorneys for Minnesota in 2023
Matt Ralph Featured in Minnesota Lawyer
Dorsey Partner Matt Ralph Discusses SCOTUS NCAA Ruling
Super Lawyers Recognizes 41 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Chambers USA 2019 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Super Lawyers Recognizes 36 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Chambers USA 2018 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices in Minnesota
Super Lawyers Recognizes 36 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Dorsey Partner Matt Ralph Remarks on Stripping Citizenship Ruling
Chambers USA 2017 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Chambers USA 2017 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices in Minnesota
Minnesota Transgender Surgery Ban Found Unconstitutional
Super Lawyers Recognizes 37 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Dorsey Congratulates Partner Matthew Ralph on Being Named One of Minnesota Lawyer’s Attorneys of the Year
Lakeville man's asylum case has national implications: Dorsey Partner Matthew Ralph’s 8th Circuit Win

Industries & Practices

Securities & Financial Services Litigation & Enforcement
  • Antitrust & Competition Law
  • Appellate
  • Banking & Financial Institutions
  • Class Action Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Electronic Discovery
  • Energy & Natural Resources
  • ERISA Litigation
  • Food, Beverage & Agribusiness
  • Healthcare & Life Sciences
  • Indian & Alaska Native
  • Securities & Financial Services Litigation & Enforcement

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • American Bar Association (Antitrust Section)
  • Assistant Editor, Antitrust Law Journal
  • American Bar Foundation Fellow
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Minnesota State Bar Association (Antitrust Section, Council Member 2009-present; Secretary-Treasurer 2010-11; Vice-Chair 2011-12; Chair 2012-13)
  • Hennepin County Bar Foundation Board of Directors, Founding Fellow, 2016-present, Treasurer 2018-19, Grant Review Committee Co-Chair 2018-19
  • Adjunct Professor, Antitrust, University of Minnesota, 2013-14, University of St. Thomas Law School, 2009-12

Accolades

 

Ranked in Chambers USA 2019 Leading Individual  Chambers USA 2018 Leading Individual  Ranked in USA Chambers 2017 Leading Individual   

  • Named one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” by Chambers USA (Antitrust), 2017-2019, 2023
  • Named to "The Power 30: Mergers & Acquisitions" by Minnesota Lawyer, 2023
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2020-2024 

Pro Bono 50 Hours 2022     Contributed 100+ Pro Bono Hours in 2021 Contributed 100+ Pro Bono Hours in 2020 

  • Contributed more than 50 Challenge pro bono hours, 2022
  • Contributed more than 100 Challenge pro bono hours, 2020-2021
  • Partner of the Year, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, 2016
  • 2016 Dorsey & Whitney Scales of Justice Award for representing transgender man and transgender advocacy organization in a case that struck down a Minnesota statute barring Medicaid reimbursement for sex reassignment surgery, OutFront Minnesota v. Piper, No. 62-CV-15-7501 (Minn. 2d Jud. Dist. – Ramsey County)
  • Listed as a Minnesota Super Lawyer (Antitrust), 2015-2019

North Star Lawyer

  •  MSBA North Star Lawyer, 2012-2013, 2016, and 2018-2022

F. Matthew Ralph - Minnesota Lawyer Attorneys of the Year 2013

  • Attorney of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer, 2013
  • 2010 Dorsey & Whitney Scales of Justice Award for representing Kenyan asylum applicant resulting in Gathungu v. Holder, 725 F.3d 900 (8th Cir. 2013)
  • 2008 Advocates for Human Rights Volunteer Award for briefing and arguing the appeal in Hassan v. Gonzales, 484 F.3d 513 (8th Cir. 2007)
F. Matthew Ralph