Mathew R. Troughton

Mathew Troughton is a Special Counsel and litigator in Sheppard Mullin's San Francisco office. His practice is focused on Energy and Construction law and litigation.

Areas of Practice

Mr. Troughton represents clients in energy, construction, and commercial matters. He has represented independent power companies and Qualifying Facilities in regulatory proceedings and litigation regarding power purchase agreements, power plant equipment failures/force majeure events, fuel supply contracts, construction contracts and wheeling agreements.  His experience in energy cases includes issues involving PURPA, FERC and California PUC regulations, contract law, the Uniform Commercial Code, business fraud and unfair competition law.  In the regulatory arena, Mat counsels clients regarding the impact of new energy regulations and legislation in California.  He has experience with the  CPUC and FERC regulation of the so-called "qualifying facilities," or "QF's".  He has been involved in such matters before the CPUC as cases involving the nameplate capacity and energy rates proper for QF plants; force majeure events and settlements, and the curtailment priority of industrial users in event of rolling blackouts.

In the construction industry, Mat counsels both owner and contractor clients with respect to their bidding, contracts, change order and claims issues, on both public and private projects. He has negotiated, litigated and arbitrated numerous disputes concerning hospital, bridge, school, commercial and residential projects, power plant and transmission line projects and office and manufacturing complex projects. His technology and commercial practice experience includes cases for breach of contract, patent and trademark infringement, false advertising and related antitrust issues. Prior to joining Sheppard Mullin, Mr. Troughton was a partner in the San Francisco office of Coudert Brothers, LLP.

He has substantial experience resolving his clients' disputes through mediation and advocating their cases in American Arbitration Association arbitrations.

Education

• J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law, 1990, magna cum laude
• B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 1987

Admissions

• California
• U.S. District of California
• Northern, Southern, Central and Eastern Districts of California

Memberships

• Member, Legal Advisory Committee, Associated General Contractors of California
• Member, Independent Energy Producers Association

Books

• Mechanics' Liens, Construction Bonds and Stop Notices