Matt Howsare

Practice Areas

Matt is the chair of Cooley’s North American product safety practice and a leading global consumer product safety and compliance lawyer who counsels manufacturers, retailers, distributors, trade associations and consumer product companies on issues within all aspects of a product’s life cycle. From preventative counseling incorporated before a product launch, to manufacturing and defect management, and recall strategies and governmental compliance adherence, Matt’s experience spans the most challenging product related issues faced by companies around the world.

Specifically, Matt helps clients find solutions in response to concerns surrounding product safety reporting, recalls, defect investigations, civil penalties, inspections, import seizures, internal compliance programs, compliance safety, as well as civil and criminal litigation resulting from product liability and safety related incidents. Matt advises clients in highly regulated industries such as apparel, children’s toys, fitness equipment, office supplies, household furniture, products requiring child resistant packaging, arts & crafts materials, books, recreational and sporting equipment, appliances, lighters, heating and cooling equipment, home decorations, promotional products, household cleaners and many other types of consumer products.

Career

Matt previously served as the chair of the consumer safety product practice at a major national law firm, and as chief of staff at the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Matt is also actively involved in the national and international product safety community. He has served on the board of directors of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization since 2016 and was recently elected president of the organization.