The Law Office of Matthew S. Erard is a progressive law practice dedicated to protecting the rights and legal interests of civil rights plaintiffs, criminal defendants, workers, tenants, and personal injury victims throughout and beyond the state of Michigan.

Mr. Foley began his career in bankruptcy law, handling civil litigation, primarily creditor representation, fraud litigation, and adversary prosecution and defense work in the context of Chapter 7, 11 and 13 bankruptcies. Mr. Foley’s work also includes comprehensive Trustee representation, predominately in the context of Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Presently, Mr. Foley’s practice focuses on family law and complex civil litigation related to recovery for clients who have been economically or financially injured. Mr. Foley’s corporate practice includes representing small to medium companies and individuals in employment and deal negotiations, and contract review. He also represents individual clients in the areas of asset protection, estate planning, probate matters, and related elder law issues.

I am a solo practitioner specializing in civil appeals. I joined NLG because I agree that the law should protect and serve the people, and lawyers should work to defend human rights and promote social justice.

Guild member since 1992. Former President of the Detroit & Michigan Chapter of the NLG (2002-2004). Member of the Executive Committee of the NLG Labor & Employment Law Committee. He has litigated cases in dozens of states representing low-wage workers, communities, and injured persons on matters of employment, constitutional, and tort law He is a contributing author to the National Lawyers Guild’s Employee and Union Member Guide to Labor Law and the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Torts: Michigan Law and Practice.

I am a lawyer on the side of people, the victims of government oppression and civil wrong. In practice for 37 years, my connection to the NLG is of fundamental importance. My history in being born in the era of civil rights struggle makes my appreciation for the NLG a natural fit.

If you are in debt, the client is not at fault. The economy was stacked.

If you are being sued, the client is not at fault. Predatory lending and price gouging played a role.

If you owe taxes, the client is not at fault. The rich should pay.

STOP THE HURT! CALL KURT!

I knew I wanted to join the Guild before I knew it existed. I found the Disorientation Manual while researching how to remain radical as a law student and am happy to have found "my people" in the Guild.

In law school, I was a student attorney for the Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic, and an extern at the Federal Community Defenders Office and Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice. I also volunteered with the Guild to interview arrestees during the summer 2020 uprising in Detroit. I have witnessed the government's profound callousness as well as its thirst for vengeance. Yet I remain convinced that we can build a more humane society in the shell of the old.