Matt is of counsel based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Matt works with creative individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits to help them realize their projects.
Professional Experience
Matt is the principal of his own practice – The Law Office of Matthew Dedon. He works with artists, entertainers, small businesses, and nonprofits throughout California and nationwide. Matt’s practice consists of entity formation and management, IP registration, licensing and enforcement, brand management, and trusts and estates.
Matt began his legal career as the first staff attorney for the nonprofit California Lawyers for the Arts. At CLA, Matt built up the services of the nonprofit, creating its IP clinic program that partners with large firms and technology companies to provide free legal assistance to artists, entertainers, and entrepreneurs.
In 2018, Matt was co-founder of the nonprofit IP firm Art Law Access (ALA). Matt’s practice at ALA included artists, entertainers, and a wide array of legal issues, both transactional and enforcement, including startup formation, founder disputes, public works projects, IP licensing, and pre-litigation settlement negotiation.
Matt is most at home assisting creatives with their mission. His law practice consists of individuals and small businesses that are at the very beginning of their careers, to well-established organizations at the forefront of their industries. He has assisted such organizations as the Clarion Alley Mural Project, the UC Press Foundation, Worlds Arts West, the Hidden Genius Project, the Social and Public Art Resource Center, and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation.
When not practicing law, Matt dabbles in amateur foodie adventures and is slowly writing his first young adult novel. He’ll finish it one day!
Education
Santa Clara University School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2006
- The Advocate student newspaper, Features Editor
- Sports and Entertainment Law Society
- Honors Moot Court Staff
- High Tech Excellence Award
University of California Berkeley, Bachelor of Arts, 2006
Bar Memberships
The State Bar of California
Certifications
CIPP/US
Memberships and Organizations
Bar Association of San Francisco Art Law Section
- Executive Committee CLE Chair
California Lawyers Association Licensing & Technology Transactions Interest Group
- Chair
Publications
- Copyright and AI-Generated Art, New Matter, Summer 2023, Volume 48, Number 2
- Mickey Mouse and the Public Domain, New Matter, Fall 2023, Volume 48, Number 3