How much does it cost to hire Matthew for a class action case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Matthew walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does Matthew offer a free consultation?

Matthew charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Matthew's office. Some class action attorneys offer free consults — check Matthew's current terms during booking.

How long do class action cases in California typically take?

Simple class action matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Matthew gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can Matthew take my case if I'm outside Santa Barbara?

Matthew is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Matthew will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with Matthew?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Matthew will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is Matthew accepting new class action clients right now?

Matthew's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

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Matthew Preusch, Class Action Attorney in Santa Barbara, California

Over 13 years of legal practice · focused on Class Action, Consumer, and Drug Crimes

PartneratKeller Rohrback L.L.P.

Santa Barbara, CA

Practicing class action in Santa Barbara since 2013.

13+: Years practicing
8: Bar admissions

Practices in

Class Action Consumer Drug Crimes Litigation Personal Injury Product Liability

Are you Matthew Preusch?

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Quick answer

Matthew Preusch is a partner based in Santa Barbara, CA. The practice focuses on Class Action, Consumer, and Drug Crimes. Matthew has over 13 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Keller Rohrback L.L.P..

Based in: Santa Barbara, CA
Experience: over 13 years
Known for: Class Action · Consumer · Drug Crimes

Handles Class Action, Consumer, and Drug Crimes matters from Santa Barbara, CA.
Over 13 years of practice as a licensed attorney.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Matthew takes on

Matthew concentrates on class action, consumer, drug crimes, litigation, and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case Matthew handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Class Action cases in Santa Barbara, California

Matthew takes class action matters in Santa Barbara, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Matthew agrees to represent you.

Consumer cases in Santa Barbara, California

Matthew takes consumer matters in Santa Barbara, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Matthew agrees to represent you.

Drug Crimes cases in Santa Barbara, California

Matthew takes drug crimes matters in Santa Barbara, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Matthew agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in Santa Barbara, California

Matthew takes litigation matters in Santa Barbara, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Matthew agrees to represent you.

Personal Injury cases in Santa Barbara, California

Matthew takes personal injury matters in Santa Barbara, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Matthew agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Matthew Preusch — class action lawyer in Santa Barbara

Matthew Preusch is a partner at Keller Rohrback and practices in its nationally-recognized Complex Litigation Group.

Matt focuses his work on cases that protect people and the environment. He has helped initiate landmark consumer litigation related to Volkswagen’s “Clean Diesel” deceit and Wells Fargo’s unauthorized account scheme. When studies of moss samples in trees in Portland, Oregon identified several pollution “hotspots” in that city, he and others at Keller Rohrback launched cases on behalf of residents that resulted in the largest environmental class action settlement in Oregon history. More recently, he served as co-lead counsel representing survivors of four utility-caused wildfires in Oregon. That case resulted in a historic, first-of-its-kind jury verdict finding a utility liable to a class for punitive damages. In addition, Matt serves as individual plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel for the Marshall Fire litigation in Colorado.

Before joining Keller Rohrback, Matthew served as an honors attorney in the Oregon Department of Justice’s appellate and trial divisions. He was a judicial extern for the Hon. Michael W. Mosman in the District of Oregon during law school. Prior to his legal career, he spent 10 years as a journalist in the Pacific Northwest, covering regional and national news for The Oregonian, The New York Times and other publications.

Articles & Presentations

•Speaker, National Wildland Fire Conference (April 2024).
•Panelist, Bridgeport Consumer Class Action Litigation Conference, Current State of the Law on Ascertainability and Standing (January 2017).
•Speaker, Bridgeport Environmental Class Action Webinar (March 2016).
•Panelist, Lewis and Clark Law School, Public Interest Law Project, Cutting-Edge Bet the Company Mega Class Action CLE (February 2016).
•Speaker, Harris Martin Porter Ranch Gas Leak Litigation Conference, Remedies (January 19, 2016).
•Panelist, Bridgeport Consumer Class Action Litigation Conference, Current State of the Law on Ascertainability and Standing (January 2016).
•Author, How to Ethically and Effectively Talk to Reporters, Environmental Law News, Vol. 25, No. 1 (Spring 2015).
•Speaker, Dont Say, 'No Comment”: How To Ethically and Effectively Talk to Reporters, Santa Barbara County Bar Association (September 16, 2015).
•Oregon State Bar Environmental & Natural Resources Section Case Notes (July 2015).
•Author, Tim Weaver, Yakama Tribes Salmon Champion, Says His Goodbyes, The Oregonian (January 1, 2010).
•Author, DEQ to Help Polluter Seek Federal Break on Mercury Emission, The Oregonian (Aug.ust19, 2009).
•Author, Amid Forests Ashes, A Debate Over Logging Profits is Burning On, The New York Times (April 15, 2004).

Recognitions

Honors & Awards

•Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers - The Green 500, 2025-2026
•Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Action - Plaintiffs - Santa Barbara, California, 2025 (Recognized since 2024)
•National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, 2024-2026

Working with Matthew on a class action matter

Matthew Preusch is a partner at Keller Rohrback and practices in its nationally-recognized Complex Litigation Group. Matt focuses his work on cases that protect people and the environment. He has helped initiate landmark consumer litigation related to Volkswagen’s “Clean Diesel” deceit and Wells Fargo’s unauthorized account scheme. When studies of moss samples in trees in Portland, Oregon…

Clients Matthew works with

Matthew reviews new inquiries case-by-case for class action, consumer, and drug crimes matters in Santa Barbara and the surrounding California area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

Lewis & Clark Law School,
J.D. · 2013
Pomona College
B.A. Politics · 2000

Jurisdictions

Matthew's state bar admissions

U.S. District Court
2018 · ACTIVE
California
2014 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court
2014 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court
2014 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court
2014 · ACTIVE
U.S. Court of Appeal
2014 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court
2014 · ACTIVE
Oregon
2013 · ACTIVE

Matthew studied at J.D. in Lewis & Clark Law School, and B.A. Politics in Pomona College.

Law school and academic background

Matthew completed J.D. in Lewis & Clark Law School, and B.A. Politics in Pomona College. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Matthew runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Affiliations

Matthew's professional memberships and bar associations

Professional & Civic Involvement American Bar Foundation, fellow Santa Barbara Bar Association, Member Underscore Media Collaboration, Board Member
membership

Locations

Matthew Preusch's office in Santa Barbara

Matthew's primary office is at 801 Garden Street, Suite 301, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Keller Rohrback L.L.P.

801 Garden Street, Suite 301

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Matthew Preusch

Matthew has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Matthew Preusch — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new class action attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Matthew usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Matthew charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Matthew's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Matthew will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a class action attorney in Santa Barbara, California

A short list to run through before you commit: How many class action matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Matthew

Matthew discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in class action practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every class action matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Matthew confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Matthew's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many class action practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Matthew Preusch

How much does it cost to hire Matthew for a class action case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Matthew walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Matthew offer a free consultation?
Matthew charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Matthew's office. Some class action attorneys offer free consults — check Matthew's current terms during booking.
How long do class action cases in California typically take?
Simple class action matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Matthew gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Matthew take my case if I'm outside Santa Barbara?
Matthew is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Matthew will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Matthew?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Matthew will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Matthew accepting new class action clients right now?
Matthew's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Class Action attorneys serving Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California

Matthew handles class action matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified class action attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Matthew's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these class action attorneys in Santa Barbara handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.