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Matthew Yanovitch

Attorney, Partner

Firm 44440 US Original E31

Areas of Practice

Recent Blog Posts

Matt Yanovitch's practice focuses on trust and estate disputes and litigation. His practice includes representation of executors, administrators, trustees, heirs, and creditors in disputes involving wills, trusts, and inherited property. He is experienced in probate matters, guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, elective share and augmented estate proceedings, constructive trust cases, petitions for aid and direction of the court, and matters involving powers of attorney. He has testified as an expert witness on attorney fees in trust litigation. He also advises and guides fiduciaries through the estate and trust administration process.

Matt also practices in the areas of health care law and commercial litigation. He represents health care businesses in court and in administrative proceedings before government agencies. His commercial litigation practice consists of representing banks, mortgage companies, commercial real estate developers, and various other businesses in contractual disputes, including significant landlord-tenant experience.

Education

  • Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, Washington, District of Columbia (J.D., 2007) Law Review: Catholic University Law Review, Staff Member
  • University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (B.S., Chemistry, 1999)

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit

Clerkships

  • Hon. William D. Hamblen, 31st Judicial Circuit of Virginia, Judicial Clerk, 2007 - 2008

Representative Experience

  • Represented nonprofit educational institution in $30 million suit against estate and trust of a decedent (Fork Union Military Academy v. Cook, et al., Fairfax County Circuit Court, No. 2016-14934)
  • Represented mortgage bank in indemnification lawsuits against mortgage originator regarding defaulted mortgage loans (SunTrust Mortgage, Inc. v. North Shore Bank, No. 3:14CV385, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20691 (E.D.Va. Feb 20, 2015); SunTrust Mortgage, Inc. v. Mortgage Financial Services, LLC, 2015 Va. Cir. LEXIS 48 (Henrico County Circuit Court, May 6, 2015))
  • Represented heirs of a decedent in the recovery of $4 million in a dispute with the executor over interpretation of the will (Pohl v. Latane, et al., Henrico County Circuit Court, No. 11-62)
  • Represented national commercial real estate developer against adjacent parcel owner in lawsuit involving maintenance costs and property ownership rights (DDR Southeast Short Pump, LLC v. Sledd Properties, Henrico County Circuit Court, CL11-3513)
  • Represented family member of a decedent against the decedent's estate in the successful recovery of life insurance proceeds wrongfully paid to the estate (Bennett v. Bennett, Richmond Circuit Court, CL09-2558-5)
  • Successfully defended administrator of decedent’s estate in circuit court after his qualification was challenged by his siblings (Parker v. Taylor, Richmond Circuit Court, No. 10-1412)
  • Represented medical supply company in an administrative challenge to a Medicaid overpayment demand before the Department of Medical Assistance Services (Rehab Health Care v. DMAS, Appeal ID P2014-4147)
  • Guided client though HIPAA's breach notification process and federal investigation after theft of protected health information
  • Successfully represented physician practice in dispute over and termination of billing services contract
  • Defended long-term care facility in dispute with medical services contractor

Published Works

  • Comment: Dissecting the Constitutional Admissibility of Autopsy Reports after Crawford, 57 Cath. U.L. Rev. 269, 2008

Publications

Honors and Awards

Best Lawyers in America 2025 for Litigation - Trusts and Estates

Past Employment Positions

  • City of Charlottesville, VA, Professional Firefighter, 2000 - 2004
  • Hill Neuroscience Laboratory, Laboratory Specialist, 1999

Off the Clock

Before beginning his legal career, Matt served five years as a professional firefighter for the City of Charlottesville. His volunteer community service includes eight years as an emergency medical technician with the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad, where he served as a member of the board of directors and held various leadership positions including deputy chief of operations.