For nearly 30 years, Matthew Upton has served the legal needs of New Hampshire school districts and municipalities on a broad range of labor, employment, municipal and education law matters. Matthew enjoys helping his clients navigate complex legal issues, negotiating effectively with unions, and representing his clients before administrative bodies and state and federal courts.

Matthew’s considerable municipal law experience is a tremendous asset for his clients. Matthew has counseled communities on implementing large scale developments including a recent project involving the development of a 650,000 square foot outlet mall in southern New Hampshire, where he obtained significant financial considerations for his client. Matthew has also handled numerous zoning and planning matters with excellent results. In 1994, Matthew was appointed by the Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court to serve as chair of the New Hampshire Board of Claims, a position he held for sixteen years. He also represents both the City of Manchester and the Manchester School District.

Matthew has been a driving force behind developing Drummond Woodsum’s best-in-class education law practice in New Hampshire. He was drawn to school law at the outset of his legal career, when he served as a law clerk for the New Hampshire Supreme Court where he was directly involved in two significant school law decisions. As an attorney, he was instrumental in successfully defending a school district in a “guns in the yearbook” case which drew national attention. In addition, Matthew has successfully handled establishment clause cases involving the interaction between religion and schools.

A sought-out leader in the industry, Matthew has presented at numerous conferences on topics like conducting investigations of employee misconduct, right to know law, and collective bargaining.

In his free time, Matthew is an avid fly fisherman and sporting clays competitor, and actively advocates to influence natural resource protection policy. Service to the community runs in Matthew’s family: his father, the late Richard F. Upton, was regarded by many as New Hampshire’s original school/municipal lawyer and as the “Father of the Presidential Primary,” and inspired Matthew’s passion for politics and community involvement.