A New Perspective at LSA: Meet Matthew Lippold
Matthew J. Lippold has joined Law Stein Anderson as an Associate Attorney and one of the newest members of our growing team.
Matthew brings a broad litigation background, a strong instinct for preparation, and a drive to keep learning and taking on new challenges.
He’s also a chess player and creative writer who believes that improvement, whether in law or a personal passion, comes from putting in the work.
As Matthew settles into life at LSA, we sat down with him to learn more about what drew him to the firm, the experiences that have shaped him as an attorney, and what he hopes to bring to the team.
Drawn to the Challenge of Litigation
For Matthew, the appeal of litigation has always been rooted in the challenge.
“I was drawn to litigation for the opportunity to push myself, develop my advocacy skills, and do work that I can feel proud of,” he says. “I think our legal system works best when there are committed and industrious attorneys trying to find out-of-the-box solutions.”
That willingness to dig in and find solutions has become an important part of the way Matthew approaches his cases.
When a new matter comes across his desk, he starts by looking beyond his own client’s position and working to understand the facts from all sides.
“My first approach is to understand the facts and the competing perspectives,” Matthew explains. “My approach to achieving good results for our clients is to form a game plan early and prepare accordingly.”
That means identifying the facts that may ultimately serve as hinge points in the case, understanding each side’s position, and using that knowledge to provide proactive advocacy throughout the matter.
Preparation, Perspective and a Strong Pen
Ask Matthew about his greatest strengths as an attorney, and three things come to mind: legal writing, preparation, and the breadth of experience he has developed throughout his career.
His work has exposed him to different areas of litigation and a wide range of legal writing, from public policy research memoranda to appellate briefing.
“Most cases are won or lost on the papers, and I take that responsibility very seriously,” he says.
His background as an English major at UCLA and his continued interest in creative writing have also influenced the way he thinks about communicating a legal argument.
While legal and creative writing may appear to occupy very different worlds, Matthew doesn’t necessarily see them that way.
“Creativity is a major component of both types of writing,” he explains.
For Matthew, effective legal writing isn’t simply about being technically correct or making the strongest-sounding argument. It’s about finding the clearest and most persuasive way to communicate a position to the person on the other side of the page.
“To achieve success, I have found, a legal writer needs to employ more subtle and creative skills of persuasion, focus, and perspective,” he says. “Creativity is a muscle that a writer needs to exercise to develop it, and I believe that my passion for artistic writing makes my legal writing stronger.”
The Practice of Getting Better
Writing isn’t Matthew’s only interest outside of the law. He’s also a passionate chess player.
But ask him about the connection between chess and practicing law, and his answer isn’t the obvious one about anticipating the other person’s next move.
For Matthew, it comes down to practice.
“Chess is a long-term game about dedication, memory, and practice,” he says. “I think that the thing that makes chess most similar to the practice of law is that word: practice.”
It’s a philosophy that extends to the way he views his career.
“In law, every single day is an opportunity to learn something new, to push yourself into new challenges, and test yourself as a competitor,” Matthew says. “In that same way, every chess game is an opportunity to improve.”
Whether it’s a new case, a new argument, or a new opponent across the chessboard, the opportunity is the same: learn from it, put in the work, and come away better than you were before.
Experience That Builds Perspective
Matthew also brings a broad base of litigation experience to LSA, having worked on matters involving personal injury, premises liability, employment, civil rights, and contract disputes.
Rather than viewing those experiences as separate chapters of his career, he sees lessons from each that can inform the next.
“One of the core guiding principles is to bridge the gap between the facts and the law,” he explains. “I believe that exposure to different fields of litigation makes that easier.”
That exposure has also given him experience looking at disputes from different perspectives and understanding the goals and motivations of the parties involved, something he believes is invaluable when approaching unfamiliar challenges.
Finding the Right Team at LSA
For someone who places a high value on continual improvement, joining LSA felt like a natural next step.
“What initially attracted me to LSA was the firm’s attitude and culture, the firm’s growth mindset, and the opportunity to take on new challenges,” Matthew says. “I enjoy working with energetic and goal-oriented attorneys who share my passion for doing excellent work, and LSA is a great fit for that reason.”
There was another quality he was looking for, too: teamwork.
It’s a lesson Matthew says has become increasingly important throughout his career.
“Any task can be made simpler by an opportunity to discuss it with colleagues,” he says. “One of the great aspects of LSA’s firm culture is this sense that we’re all working together and supporting each other.”
And so far, that culture has lived up to his expectations.
“I have been welcomed warmly by the entire staff, and I am eager to earn my spot on such an incredible team.”
Getting to Know Matthew Beyond the Office
As his new colleagues get to know him, Matthew hopes they’ll quickly discover a few things: his sense of humor, his competitive drive, his willingness to take on a challenge, and his commitment to producing work that both his clients and the firm can be proud of.
When it’s time to recharge, however, the legal briefs get put away.
Matthew enjoys board games, working on creative writing projects, and spending time with his family, friends, and pets.
And there’s one fact that may prove particularly interesting during college football season.
Matthew earned his undergraduate degree at UCLA before attending USC for law school.
“Both institutions mean a lot to me,” he admits, “but the conflicting loyalties can create some small awkwardness on game day.”
We’ll let him navigate that particular conflict on his own.
For now, we’re excited to officially welcome Matthew to LSA and to have his competitive spirit, experienced perspective, and willingness to take on the next challenge as part of our team.