People•Matt Derstine
Matt Derstine
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Matt Derstine

Partner
People•Matt Derstine

Matt Derstine is a seasoned attorney with over 30 years of experience in the electric power industry. 

Matt offers extensive experience in siting and permitting natural gas generation, solar, energy storage, and transmission projects. He also represents clients in complex litigation and contested cases arising from the generation and sale of electricity. Matt regularly provides advice and representation to energy clients with interests at risk in bankruptcy. Previous clients of Matt’s include public utilities, independent power producers, renewable energy developers, and independent transmission developers.

A committed individual within the legal profession, Matt is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He also holds memberships with the Energy Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, and the American Bankruptcy Institute. Matt is also recognized for his work by leading legal publications including The Best Lawyers in America, Southwest Super Lawyers. For over 14 years, he has maintained an AV Preeminent Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubble. 
 

Matt Derstine has a diverse business and bankruptcy litigation practice.

His practice focuses on the representation of parties involved in disputes over commercial transactions, foreclosure and receivership, commercial leases, shareholder and partnership matters, energy trading and supply contracts, secured transactions and construction contracts.

In his bankruptcy practice, Matt has extensive experience representing secured lenders, trade creditors, equipment lessors, commercial landlords and tenants, counterparties to wholesale energy contracts, parties in preference and avoidance proceedings, and mechanic’s lien claimants.
 

  • University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (J.D.)
    • Note and Comment Editor, Law Review: Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly
  • University of Arizona (B.A., with distinction)

  • Member, The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation
  • Energy Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • American Bankruptcy Institute
  • State Bar of Arizona

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bankruptcy Litigation (2011-2024); Energy Law (2024)
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Energy & Resources (2012-2020), Business Litigation (2016)
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell (2010-2024)

  • Roshka DeWulf & Patten, Partner (2008-2014)

  • Arizona

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