Matthew Williams

Matt
Williams is a Partner in MKCI’s New York City office. He is a seasoned defense attorney with a focused practice in representing institutions – including religious organizations, educational entities and nonprofit groups – facing claims related to historical and contemporary allegations of sexual abuse. Matt has over fifteen years of experience in civil litigation and this experience allows him to navigate some of the most challenging and sensitive cases with discretion, legal precision, and a deep understanding of institutional risk management.

Recognizingthe legal, reputational, and emotional stakes involved in abuse litigation,
Matt provides comprehensive counsel designed to protect organizational integrity while respecting the complexity of these matters. He works closely with boards, general counsel, insurers, and crisis communication teams to develop cohesive defense strategies rooted in the law, supported by fact-based investigations and responsive to public scrutiny. His experience involves both New York’s Child Victim’s Act (CVA) and Adult Survivor’s Act (ASA). During these sensitive and challenging cases, he is involved in all aspects of the litigation from pre-suit investigation through trial. He is also well-versed in the non-litigation dimensions of institutional response, including early investigation, crisis management coordination, media strategy and structured settlement frameworks.

Matt started his career as a plaintiff’s attorney. This early experience provides a unique, dual-perspective insight as it allows him to anticipate opposing strategies, evaluate case dynamics more fully and approach defense work with a heightened sensitivity to the human dimensions of his current cases. He has first-chair trial experience on both the plaintiff and defense side. Even though his current practice predominantly involves allegations of sexual abuse, he has a significant amount of experience and also represents those involved in motor vehicle accidents and premises liability incidents.

He is a current member of the Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York, a nonpartisan not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing lawsuit abuse for the benefit of all New Yorkers. He is also a member of the Defense Association of New York.

Prior to joining MKCI in 2025, Matt began his defense career at one of the oldest and most well-respected defense firms on Long Island where he litigated a wide range of general liability matters. After honing his skills for many years, he then joined an Am Law 100 firm as Partner in their New York City office before joining MKCI.

On a personal level, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and children, golfing when time permits and trying new restaurants in New York City.

Matt earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Marist University.