Matthew P. Fischer, Partner at our Phoenix law office
Matthew P. Fischer vcard
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Matthew P. Fischer

Partner
Biography

Matt Fischer practices in general commercial litigation with emphases in securities, real estate, contract, intellectual property, and international litigation. His litigation experience includes state and federal civil trial courts, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration, and handling regulatory inquiries, investigations, and actions.

 

Real Estate Dispute Resolution and Litigation

Matt’s real estate litigation experience includes representing title and escrow companies, escrow agents, owner and lender insureds, mortgage bankers and brokers, real estate agencies and brokers, financial institutions and other lending institutions, commercial and residential developers, commercial landlords, commercial property owners, property managers, and real estate investors. Representative representations include title disputes, title curative actions, quiet title actions, escrow company liability defense, escrow interpleader actions, purchase/sale contract disputes, financing disputes, development disputes, disclosure disputes, adverse possession claims, easement disputes, boundary disputes, lien disputes, zoning variances and appeals, covenants conditions and restrictions (CCRs), lender liability actions, 1031 exchange issues, trustee sale disputes, judicial foreclosure, wrongful foreclosure defense, wrongful recordation, declaratory judgment actions, eminent domain, private condemnation, forcible entry and detainer, lease agreement disputes, trespass and nuisance, statute of frauds issues, specific performance, regulatory issues including licensing, investigations, complaints, and investment matters (ADRE, ADFI, ACC, ADOI), real estate broker liability, listing agreement disputes, real estate partnership and LLC disputes including dissolutions and partitions, and forfeiture defense.

 

Securities and Shareholder Litigation

A substantial part of Matt’s practice involves representing the securities industry. He represents broker/dealers, registered investment advisors, investment banks, and other financial institutions in federal court, state court, and FINRA arbitrations. Matt has significant experience defending the securities industry in customer disputes involving allegations of unsuitability, lack of diversification, unauthorized trading, churning, excessive commissions, failure to supervise, negligence, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and federal and state statutory violations. He also has significant experience litigating disputes associated with financial advisor transitions, such as raiding, breach of restrictive covenants, unfair competition, ERISA benefits disputes, and compensation recovery. Matt also handles regulatory matters for the securities industry, such as inquiries, investigations, and actions by FINRA, the Securities Division of the Arizona Corporation Commission, and other regulatory authorities. He also handles a variety of investment and broker registration issues.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona


Education

  • University of Arizona (J.D., summa cum laude)
    • Business Editor, Arizona Law Review
    • Order of the Coif
  • University of Notre Dame (B.A., Economics/Computer Applications, cum laude)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2017-2025); Banking and Finance Law (2021-2025); Securities Litigation (2024-2025)
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation (2014-2024)
    • Rising Stars Edition (2013)
  • Volunteer Lawyers Program, Collaboration for Children Award (Intel/Snell & Wilmer) (2008)
  • Snell & Wilmer Top Pro Bono Attorney (2007)
  • Top Pro Bono Attorneys in Arizona, Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education (2006)
  • Volunteer Lawyers Program, Guardianship Attorney of the Year (2005)

Previous Professional Experience

  • United States Department of Justice, Bankruptcy Division, Puerto Rico, Intern
  • Phoenix Municipal Court, Volunteer Legal Staff Assistant

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • American Bar Association
    • Section of Litigation, Member of Leadership
      • Securities Litigation Committee
      • Real Estate Litigation Committee
      • Commercial & Business Litigation Committee
      • Judicial Intern Opportunity Program Working Group
  • State Bar of Arizona
    • Trial Practice Section
    • Securities Section
    • Business Law Section
  • Maricopa County Bar Association
    • Litigation Section
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Federal District Court of Arizona Local Rules Committee
  • Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
  • American Escrow Association
  • Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association (SIFMA)
    • Compliance & Legal Division

Community Involvement

  • Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education
    • Board of Directors, President
    • Designated Technology Counsel
  • Volunteer Lawyers Program
    • Manager of Complex and Joint Programs
  • Judicial Intern Opportunity Program
  • Notre Dame Club of Phoenix
  • ASEDS Tiger Dads
  • Youth Sports Coach – Football, Basketball, Baseball

Representative Presentations and Publications

  • “FINRA Arbitration: Developments in Discovery” Network of Trial Law Firms, FINRA CLE Supercourse
  • “Customer Disputes – The Road Less Traveled” Network of Trial Law Firms, FINRA CLE Supercourse
  • “Ethics: Multijurisdictional Practice and FINRA Arbitration” Network of Trial Law Firms, FINRA CLE Supercourse
  • “Title and Escrow Disputes” Maricopa County Bar Association, Real Estate Litigation Series
  • “Escrow Litigation Update,” Arizona State Escrow Association Annual Conference
  • “The Practice of Real Estate Law” ASU Corporate and Business Law Society
  • “Statutory Caveat Emptor Survives … or Does It?” Snell & Wilmer Real Estate Litigation Blog
  • “Making Litigation Manageable,” Association of Corporate Counsel/Lex Mundi
  • “Motion Practice” Snell & Wilmer Litigation Boot Camp
  • “Preparing Witnesses and Defending Depositions” Snell & Wilmer