Matthew D. Schelkopf

MATTHEW D. SCHELKOPF, an associate in the Haverford office, is admitted to practice before the Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University (B.A. Political Science, 1999), Widener University School of Law (J.D., 2002) and Villanova University School of Law (LL.M. in Taxation and Estate Planning, 2008). While working towards his juris doctorate, he was an active member of the Trial Advocacy Society and an Executive Board Member of the Moot Court Honor Society. In 2000, he attended the University of Geneva Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland where he studied Health law and International Criminal law. During law school, Mr. Schelkopf served as summer law clerk to the Honorable Allan L. Tereshko of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. He was one of five Widener students inducted into the National Order of Barristers in 2002.

After graduation, Mr. Schelkopf became a criminal prosecutor with the District Attorney's Office of York County. He litigated 27 jury trials and over 50 bench trials. He quickly progressed to Senior Deputy Prosecutor where he headed a trial team responsible for approximately 300 felony and misdemeanor cases each trial term. During this time, he wrote and implemented a county extradition policy and procedure manual used to assist in returning fugitives to Pennsylvania for prosecution.

In 2004, he became a full-time associate with a suburban law firm and focused on civil trial litigation throughout the Pennsylvania and New Jersey courts. In 2006, he was assistant counsel in a Philadelphia County complex litigation trial resulting in a $30,000,000.00 verdict in favor of his clients - the largest state verdict recorded for that year. He has also been responsible for numerous appeals which have helped to create new law in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. For further information see: C.W. v. Cooper Health Systems, 388 NJ 42 (NJ App 2006); Miller v. Ginsberg, 2005 Pa. Super 136 (Pa. Super. 2005).

He has presented oral argument before the Pennsylvania Supreme and Superior Courts and has volunteered in judging the annual University of Pennsylvania mock trial competitions. He is also a Pennsylvania licensed Realtor® and has organized group participation in the Habitat for Humanity foundation.