Matthew J. Coleman

Matthew J. Coleman brings a unique perspective to his role as founding partner of Coleman Lynch & Partners, PLLC, shaped by his diverse professional background and personal experiences. Before entering law, Matt worked as a special education teacher in Chicago Public Schools, where he gained firsthand insight into the daily challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. This experience fostered a deep understanding of how even simple daily tasks can present significant obstacles—insights that continue to inform his practice today.

During law school, Matt worked as a garbage collector, experiencing the physical demands and hazards of manual labor firsthand. This experience gave him intimate knowledge of workplace safety challenges and the pressures workers face when pushed to prioritize speed over safety. These formative experiences have shaped his approach as a trial attorney, where he focuses on representing injured workers and their families with both expertise and empathy.

As a distinguished workers’ compensation and personal injury attorney, Matt has successfully represented members of numerous labor unions, including Teamsters, Carpenters, LiUNA, AFSCME, IAM, Pipefitters, Roofers, the Fraternal Order of Police, and local Firefighters Unions. He regularly tries cases before Arbitrators and has built a strong track record of successful arguments before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Circuit Courts, and the Illinois Appellate Court. His practice extends to “third party” actions in both State and Federal courts, handling cases involving motor vehicle accidents, construction negligence, products liability, and premises liability.

Matt has developed particular expertise in representing railroad workers injured due to unsafe workplace conditions. He advocates for members of the Brotherhood of the Maintenance of the Way Employes, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, IAM, and SMART in cases under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), the OSHA Whistleblower Act (FRSA Sec. 20109), and other safety statutes.

His excellence in the field has earned him recognition as one of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s Top 40 Lawyers under Forty to Watch in Illinois (2018) and as a Super Lawyer in work injury law. An active member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Matt frequently presents at its Workers’ Compensation Seminars and is a featured author in its Trial Journal Magazine. In 2021, he co-authored the chapter on Vocational Rehabilitation for the Association’s “Worker’s Compensation Trial Notebook.”

Matt serves on the board of directors for the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Association and the Center for Independence. He is also a member of the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys (ARLA) and the Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG), reflecting his commitment to advancing workers’ rights and professional excellence in these specialized areas of law.

Matt’s commitment to leveling the playing field against large corporations, railroads, and insurance companies extends beyond the courtroom. He regularly travels throughout Illinois to educate union workers about their rights under the Illinois Workers Compensation Act and FELA.

On a personal note, Matt lives on Chicago’s southside with his wife and three children. His young daughter’s cerebral palsy diagnosis has deepened his dedication to disability advocacy. She receives treatment at the Center for Independence, where Matt is actively involved and passionate about raising awareness about cerebral palsy and children with differences. His family also sponsors a puppy in training for the Guide Dogs of America, further demonstrating their commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities.