Matthew D. Pearson

Matthew D. Pearson, a partner in the San Francisco office, works tirelessly on behalf of consumers and investors who have been victims of fraud, anticompetitive conduct or other unfair or fraudulent business practices.

Since joining Berman Tabacco in 2005, Matthew has delivered financial justice by litigating a number of complex cases, primarily involving antitrust violations and securities fraud. His antitrust practice often focuses on rooting out anticompetitive conduct in the healthcare industry.

Matthew also has taken a particular interest in international litigation. He regularly monitors foreign securities fraud and antitrust litigation, tracks developments in foreign class action law and assists clients interested in litigating abroad.

Matthew has been ranked by Benchmark Litigation as a California Future Star (2024-2026).  He has further been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® in Litigation-Securities (2025-2026) and in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions-Plaintiffs (2026).  He has also been recognized as a Recommended Attorney in Antitrust by The Legal 500 (U.S. edition 2023-2024).  He was also selected as a Super Lawyer by Northern California Super Lawyers (2021-2025).

Education

• University of California, Davis, School of Law (J.D., 2004)
• University of California, Los Angeles (B.A., Political Science, with an International Relations Concentration, 1999)

Experience

• Integral member of the team that represented car purchasers in In re New Motor Vehicles Canadian Export Antitrust Litigation, No. 03-md-1532 (D. Me.), which alleged that major auto manufacturers conspired to stop less expensive Canadian new vehicles from being exported to the United States. Mr. Pearson was involved in the day-to-day prosecution of nearly all stages of that litigation. He further represented car buyers in the related litigation in California state court, In re Automobile Antitrust Cases I and II, JCCP Nos. 4298 and 4303 (San Francisco Superior Court), which settled with the last remaining defendant, Ford Canada, for $82 million, bringing the total settlement in this action to $137.85 (including three prior settlements of $55.85 million for class members in the federal and California actions, which have been approved). The Court approved the $82 million settlement on October 31, 2022.
• Represents two union health and welfare funds on behalf of a class of end-payor purchasers of QVAR asthma inhalers in Iron Workers District Council of New England v. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., No. 23-cv-11131 (NMG) (D. Mass.). The case alleges that the defendant drug company unlawfully listed patents for inhalers in the FDA’s Orange Book, delaying entry of a generic version of the QVAR inhaler and allowing the defendant to keep prices high. The case resulted in a $35 million settlement for QVAR purchasers and a commitment by defendant Teva to delist the patents. The court has preliminarily approved the settlement.
• Represents a union health and welfare fund on behalf of a class of end-payor purchasers of Combivent Respimat and Spiriva Respimat inhalers in In re: Respimat Pharmaceuticals Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 25-md-03154 (D. Mass.). The case alleges that the defendant drug company kept generic versions of the Combivent and Spiriva asthma inhalers off the market by unlawfully listing patents in the FDA’s Orange Book.
• Represents a union health and welfare fund on behalf of a class of end-payor purchasers of the Revlimid cancer drug in In re Revlimid & Thalomid Purchaser Antitrust Litigation, No. 2:19-cv-07532-MEF-MAH (D.N.J.), a case alleging that the defendant drug companies prevented generic Revlimid from coming to market through a variety of unlawful conduct.
• Member of the litigation team in In re Bear Stearns Companies, Inc. Securities, Derivative, and “ERISA” Litigation, Master File No. 08-MDL No. 1963 (S.D.N.Y.), arising out of the company’s 2008 collapse. The firm’s efforts as co-lead counsel secured settlements with defendants totaling $294.9 million
• Represented diamond purchasers in Sullivan v. DB Investments, Inc., No. 04-02819 (D.N.J.). The firm’s efforts resulted in a $295 million settlement with diamond supplier De Beers in the class action, which alleged De Beers violated various federal and state antitrust laws.
• On behalf of three union clients, co-authored an amicus brief submitted to the California Supreme Court in Kwikset Corp. v. Superior Court of Orange County; James Benson, Real Parties in Interest, No. S171845 (Cal. Supreme Ct.), involving products falsely labeled as “Made in the USA.” The California Supreme Court’s ultimate opinion (Kwikset Corp. v. Superior Court, 51 Cal. 4th 310 (2011)) was highly favorable to the interests of the firm’s clients and became one of the leading opinions regarding standing under California’s Unfair Competition Law.

Honors & Distinctions

• Ranked by Benchmark Litigation as a California Future Star (2024-2026)
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Litigation-Securities (2025-2026)
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions-Plaintiffs (2026)
• Recognized as a Recommended Attorney in Antitrust by The Legal 500 (U.S. edition 2023-2024)
• Named a Super Lawyer by Northern California Super Lawyers magazine (2021-2025)
• Completed the King Hall Public Service Law Program at UC Davis School of Law.

Admissions

• State Bar of California
• United States District Court for the Northern District of California
• United States District Court for the Central District of California
• United States District Court for the Southern District of California

Affiliations

• Antitrust and Unfair Competition Law Section of the California Bar, Member
• National Association of Public Pension Attorneys, Member
• Bar Association of San Francisco, Member

Publications, Presentations & Appearances

• Presenter on Antitrust Implications of a Supreme Court Class Action Trifecta – Amgen, Comcast and Standard Fire, at Bar Association of San Francisco, June 10, 2013.