Matthew Rifat
Attorney at Law
California
CA, AZ, MS
About
experience
Practice Areas
Client Reviews
"Matt understands how to approach cases. He has defended me in several Medical Board cases. His first words to me were: "Now that you've hired me, let me lose sleep over your legal case. You focus on your profession." He is a well-known and feared advocate before the Medical Board."
"Matt provided us with a vigorous and honest defense. He approached our relationship as more than just a lawyer but also as a mentor. His concern was to close the litigation against us as quickly and inexpensively as possible while keeping us informed every step of the way."
Work History
Law Offices of Matthew D. Rifat, APC
Principal
Nov 2009 - Present
Principal of San Diego law firm with geographic scope encompassing all California and Arizona courts providing transaction services, trial litigation and appeals of civil and regulatory matters for professional clients, including physicians and business people, with primary focus on the litigation and trial of matters before civil juries and administrative panels.
Manning & Marder
Partner
Jul 2005 - Nov 2009
Los Angeles and San Diego partner providing transaction, litigation and regulatory defense to healthcare and other licensed professional clients throughout California and Arizona, emphasizing the litigation and trial of complex civil cases.
Forge & Rifat
Managing Attorney
Dec 2003 - Jul 2005
National Healthcare Section Lead and Managing Attorney for Los Angeles staff counsel offices of Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, primarily focused on the litigation and trial of large exposure, complex healthcare cases, supervising team of thirteen attorneys defending nearly every category of claims against insured clients.
Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Inc.
General Counsel
Jan 2000 - Dec 2003
neral Counsel for network of surgery centers in Southern California based in Orange County, including service as lead trial counsel in jury and bench trials, regulatory defense in administrative proceedings, and overseeing corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
Colton & Roesser
Associate Attorney
Aug 1996 - Jan 2000
Senior Associate Attorney resident in Del Mar defending medical malpractice and administrative claims as trial counsel in jury and bench trials, multiple arbitrations and numerous administrative trials.
Mississippi Court of Appeals
Judicial Law Clerk
Jan 1995 - Jul 1996
Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Leslie Southwick (currently a Judge of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal), assisting in drafting a large number of appellate decisions for newly formed intermediate court of appeal.