Bio
Matthew R. Planey is a partner in the firm’s Columbus office who has more than two decades of experience handling insurance defense claims. He provides strategic counsel and advice to clients throughout the Midwest, and he has won numerous jury trials across Ohio in both state and federal courts.
Mr. Planey has extensive expertise defending transportation law disputes, including first-party and third-party motor vehicle claims. He has represented clients such as taxi and transportation service providers, regional public transit providers and railway companies in uninsured motorist coverage disputes, negligence claims, personal injury and medical expense reimbursements cases. He also handles matters involving personal injury, product liability and construction litigation.
His decades-long experience handling insurance coverage disputes includes providing coverage opinions, defending extra-contractual/bad faith claims and punitive damage claims, and investigating fraudulent arson and theft claims. He advises clients on the analysis of insurance policy language, handles coverage claims and conducts investigations of coverage issues and suspected fraud.
Notable Cases
- Successfully obtained summary judgment in a discrimination claim against Central Ohio Transit Authority in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. (Dijon v. Central Ohio Transit Authority, Case No. 2:20-cv-05873; appeal pending).
- Obtained summary judgment, which was upheld on appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth District, regarding an uninsured motorist coverage claim. (Maher v. United Ohio Insurance Co., Case No. 20CA11; appeal pending for Supreme Court of Ohio).
- Secured a defense verdict in favor of a taxi and transportation services client and its driver against a claim of negligence in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. (Emerson v. Columbus Green Cabs, Inc., Case No. 20CV003809).
- Secured a defense verdict in favor of a regional public transit provider regarding the nature and extent of the plaintiff’s injuries, including the amount of medical expenses incurred, who was involved in an automobile accident. (Ayala v. Central Ohio Transit Authority, Case No. 18CV-4988).
- Secured a defense verdict for claims under the Federal Employer’s Liability Act and Locomotive Inspection Act related to injuries sustained when plaintiff's seat allegedly malfunctioned while riding in a locomotive. (Delaware & Hudson Railway Company, Inc. v. Knoedler Manufacturers, Inc., Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Case No. 13-3678).
Professional Affiliations
- DRI
- Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Columbus Bar Association
Publications & Lectures
- “That’s Private! Ethical Considerations for In-House Attorneys and Outside Counsel,” Presenter, 2022 ALFA International Hospitality & Retail Regional Seminar, Columbus, Columbus, Ohio, June 16, 2022
Community Involvement
- Ohio Center for Law-Related Education, Volunteer Judge, 2013-present
- Northmor Youth Baseball Association
Areas of Practice
Credentials
Education
- University of Toledo School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1996
- Youngstown State University, summa cum laude, B.S., 1993
Admissions
- Ohio, 1996
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, 2016
