Matthew T. Besmer

Matthew T. Besmer serves as a trusted adviser to public-sector educational institutions, guiding boards, executives, and other administrators through governance, compliance, and risk-management matters. He blends a deep understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks with a practical approach to decision-making in complex institutional environments.

With a focus on K-12 and higher education, Matt advises clients on board governance; the Ralph M. Brown Act; the California Public Records Act; public-agency ethics and conflict-of-interest laws; student discipline and Title IX; First Amendment and campus free-speech issues; labor and employment matters, including investigations and discipline; student privacy and records; contracting and independent-contractor issues; and Government Claims Act liability.

He also brings substantial public-agency litigation experience, including defending employment-law claims in state and federal courts and before enforcement agencies. Matt represents clients in grievances, unfair labor practice proceedings, and litigation involving writs of mandate and appellate matters. He has additional experience advising law-enforcement agencies on personnel-records and disciplinary matters under the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act.

Matt is a veteran of the Iraq War and continues to serve as a Colonel in the California Army National Guard. His military background provides added insight into the intersection of veteran- and military-law considerations and public-education operations.

He is a frequent presenter and regularly provides trainings on ethics, board governance, the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, the First Amendment, and labor and employment matters.

Before joining the firm, Matt served as General Counsel for the State Center Community College District in Fresno, advising an elected Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, and four college presidents across a district of more than 60,000 students.

Practice Areas

Community & Professional

• Colonel, California Army National Guard serving as a reserve Judge Advocate General Officer
• California Health Sciences University Board of Trustees, Member