David A. Matthews

David A. Matthews is an attorney at Essex Richards in Charlotte, North Carolina, whose business law practice emphasizes technology and commercial contracts. He advises startups, closely held businesses, and other commercial clients on company formation, strategic transactions, commercial disputes, business bankruptcy, and creditors’ rights. His work brings contract negotiation and business planning together, with particular attention to the agreements companies depend on in their daily operations.

David earned a B.S. in Philosophy with a Political Science minor from Azusa Pacific University, graduating cum laude. He then received his Juris Doctor with Distinction from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. This combination of undergraduate study and legal training supports the close reading, negotiation, and risk evaluation needed for commercial arrangements, business agreements, and disputes involving contractual duties.

Before joining Essex Richards, David held several in-house positions involving enterprise software licensing and service agreements. He negotiated software-as-a-service contracts, professional and managed services agreements, hosting arrangements, reseller contracts, nondisclosure agreements, and source code escrow terms. He has guided technology purchases from requests for proposals through final contracts and worked on agreements addressing the California Consumer Privacy Act and European Union General Data Protection Regulation.

David A. Matthews also works with emerging businesses on operating and shareholder agreements, trademark registration, employment contracts, commercial leases, and asset purchase agreements. He is admitted in North Carolina and California and before federal district courts in both states. His background on the business side of negotiations helps him examine contract provisions in light of how a company will actually use technology, manage vendors, and pursue commercial objectives.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Essex Richards, P.A.
• Member, The North Carolina State Bar
• Member, The State Bar of California
• Member, Mecklenburg County Bar Association
• Member, California Lawyers Association
• Member, Association of Corporate Counsel

Licensed State

• North Carolina
• California

Education

• University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Azusa Pacific University
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in Philosophy, Political Science Minor (Cum Laude)

Awards & Badges