Matt Simonsen
matt@gratalegal.com (303) 535-3533
Matt Simonsen joined Grata Law & Policy after several years at the Boulder firm of Hutchinson Black and Cook, preceded by judicial clerkships at the Colorado Supreme Court and Colorado Court of Appeals.
While Matt specializes in appellate litigation, his practice also focuses on general civil litigation—including civil rights, real estate, and complex commercial matters. Matt has represented clients in state and federal appeals and is experienced in handling all stages of an appeal in Colorado courts. Additionally, Matt is a frequent volunteer for the Colorado Bar Association’s Pro Bono Civil Appeals Clinic, where he helps unrepresented litigants navigate the appellate process in Colorado’s state courts.
During law school, Matt interned at the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as the Office for Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education. When not at work, Matt enjoys playing cards and board games; snowboarding; and spending time with his wife, son, and two greyhounds.
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Successfully defended favorable bench trial judgment and obtained rare award of C.A.R. 38 appellate sanctions at Colorado Court of Appeals, which agreed that opponent’s appeal of pretrial discovery ruling was “frivolous as argued” and remanded for related portion of client’s reasonable appellate attorney fees to be assessed “against [opponent], her counsel, or both.”
Represented commercial landlord in successful appeal to Colorado Court of Appeals, which, in an unpublished opinion, reversed six-figure monetary judgment against landlord and instructed trial court to enter judgment in favor of landlord and award landlord’s damages and attorney fees.
Presented oral argument at Colorado Court of Appeals and successfully defended favorable judgment entered after bench trial in complex real estate litigation between neighboring landowners concerning easements and protective covenants.
Represented prominent First Amendment, constitutional, and antidiscrimination law scholars in friend-of-the-court brief to Colorado Supreme Court addressing intersection of First Amendment rights and antidiscrimination law. Masterpiece Cakeshop, Inc. v. Scardina, 2024 CO 67.
Represented leading civil rights nonprofit, national media conglomerate, and Colorado press associations, in friend-of-the-court brief to Colorado Supreme Court supporting successful appeal of published decision of Colorado Court of Appeals with negative ramifications for freedom of press. Killmer, Lane & Newman, LLP v. BKP, Inc., 2023 CO 47, 535 P.3d 91, rev’g 2021 COA 144, 506 P.3d 84.
Represented national advocacy organization and 31 co-signers in friend-of-the-court brief to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit supporting successful petition for rehearing en banc, resulting in full-court decision extending Title IX protection to off-campus violence between students. Brown v. Arizona, 82 F.4th 863 (9th Cir. 2023) (en banc), rev’g 23 F.4th 1173 (9th Cir. 2022).
Presented oral argument at Colorado Supreme Court and represented hundreds of commercial real estate owners in six related appeals at the Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court in property tax litigation involving novel questions of statutory interpretation.
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Presented oral argument in federal district court resulting in favorable ruling on motion to dismiss on behalf of defendants in federal securities litigation.
Presented oral argument in state district court resulting in favorable ruling in civil rights lawsuit challenging whether Colorado law allows law enforcement agencies to effectively shield footage of alleged police misconduct by charging cost-prohibitive fees for its release to the public.
Served as first-chair at trial of warranty claims and counterclaims for nonpayment, resulting in judgment in favor of client on all claims.
Education
University of Colorado School of Law, J.D.
Lead Note Editor, Colorado Natural Resources, Energy & Environmental Law Review
Rothgerber Teaching Fellow, Constitutional Law
Research Assistant to Professors Scott Skinner-Thompson and Carolyn Ramsey
Senator, University of Colorado Student Government
Sam Houston State University, B.A., magna cum laude
Bar Admissions / Clerkships
Colorado
Supreme Court of the United States
United States Courts of Appeals for the Ninth and Tenth Circuits
United States District Court for the District of Colorado
Law Clerk, Hon. Melissa Hart, Colorado Supreme Court
Law Clerk, Hon. Elizabeth L. Harris, Colorado Court of Appeals
Memberships / Awards
Colorado Bar Association
Appellate Subsection
Pro Bono Civil Appeals Clinic
Boulder County Bar Association
Sonia Sotomayor Inn of Court
Colorado Disability Bar Association
Board of Directors - 2023 to Present