Matthew Brown

Associate

Matthew Brown is an associate attorney who serves Wagenmaker & Oberly's broad range of nonprofit clients. Matt helps clients across the firm's spectrum, such as nonprofits engaged in international philanthropy, organizations seeking to reduce legal risks, and others involved in nonprofit-related litigation or other disputes.

Matt joined Wagenmaker & Oberly's Chicago office in 2021, bringing a wide variety of experience to his current legal work. He previously worked two years as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Lisa L. Coates and the Honorable John Clark in Ohio. Additionally, he worked in a municipal utilities department, where he helped explain complex utility regulations and their impact on local residents. He has also served as a volunteer in a legal ministry to provide resources for churches, with an income tax assistance program, and with sports and church programs.

As a law student, Matt served as a member of the Akron Law Review and as the Managing Editor of ConLawNOW, the law review's online constitutional law journal. His research activities included legal issues facing faith-based organizations, as well as on the First Amendment's freedom of religion for which he received national honors.

Matt is married with two biological daughters. Additionally, he and his wife serve as foster parents. Matt loves spending time outside with his family including camping, playing disc golf, and watching baseball.

Professional Involvement
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  • Christian Legal Society
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association
Publications
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  • Social Science Research Network (and Amazon Direct Publishing), "Pistols in the Pews: The Religious Leader's Guide to Firearm Laws and Policies in Places of Worship" (2020)
  • Social Science Research Network (and Amazon Direct Publishing), “Coronavirus and Church Closures: Will the COVID-19 Gathering Bans Survive Free Exercise Challenges?”(2020)
  • Akron Law Review, "Masterpiece Cakeshop: A Formula for Legislative Accommodations of Religion" (2019)
Community Involvement
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  • Administer Justice Legal Aid Clinic, Volunteer Attorney (2023-Present)
  • University of Akron Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Clinic, Volunteer Tax Return Preparer (2020)
Speaking Engagements
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Adjunct teaching engagements
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Education

J.D., University of Akron School of Law, summa cum laude
B.A., California State University Bakersfield, cum laude

Bar Admissions

Ohio
Illinois
Northern District of Illinois
Publications
Professional Involvement
Community Involvement
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