Matthew Kinsman is an experienced advocate and counselor, representing clients on a wide variety of complex business matters, particularly those involving customs and international trade. Matt’s wide-ranging experience as a federal law clerk, congressional staff member and private sector consultant informs his practice.

Government Affairs and Regulatory Experience

Matt draws on a sophisticated understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory processes to advance clients’ government affairs goals. Matt previously served on the legislative staff of U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) — a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation — where he focused on national policy issues related to defense, foreign affairs, international trade, and veterans affairs. Matt also served on the government relations team of an Am Law 100 international firm, where he advocated on behalf of multinational clientele in front of Congress and the executive branch on legislative issues related to defense, international trade, and financial regulation.

Voting Rights and Election Law

Matt maintains an active pro bono practice, with an emphasis on Constitutional voting rights. Most recently, he served on the trial team that won a favorable ruling, on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Michigan and individual voters, in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a 2011 partisan gerrymander of Michigan's congressional and state legislative maps. The three-judge panel of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan permanently enjoined Michigan from conducting elections based on the unconstitutional districts, finding they were deliberately drawn to favor Republican voters and incumbents and disfavor Democrats. The case is League of Women Voters v. Benson.