Matthew represents businesses of all kinds in commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, commercial leasing, project development, regulatory compliance, and capital formation matters. He advises businesses and their principals in operational and organizational matters to get out in front of potential problems that can drag on performance and to pursue potential opportunities that can lead to growth. He is known for delivering practical, business-oriented legal advice that helps clients make confident, well-informed decisions. Whether guiding new companies through the early stages of organization and growth or supporting mature enterprises in a complex transactions, Matthew works to provide supportive advice and counsel that is oriented toward achieving long term business objectives and creating value for clients.
Education
Community Involvement
Among other work, Matthew has served on the board of directors, and as a past president, of Catholic Charities West Virginia, a statewide charitable organization serving more than 70,000 individuals in need each year through a variety of outreach programs and services. He is also a past president and member of the board of directors of The Counseling Connection, a regional non-profit organization providing mental health services throughout West Virginia regardless of the recipient’s ability to pay. Matthew is a former treasurer and member of the board of directors of the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation, a group that is working to address the health and wellness needs of West Virginia’s children through a variety of grants and projects.
Presently, Matthew serves as the President of the Board of Directors of A.B.L.E Families, a ministry of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, which works to confront the systemic causes of poverty by assisting families to make positive changes in their lives in northern Mingo County, West Virginia. He is also the Vice President of the Charleston Tennis Club.
Awards and Recognition
Matthew is a graduate of the Leadership West Virginia Class of 2013. In 2017, The State Journal selected Matthew for its “Generation Next, 40 Under 40.”
In 2018, Matthew received the Benemerenti Medal, awarded by Pope Francis, for his service to the Catholic Church in West Virginia. He has also been awarded the Charity in Action Award in 2018 from Catholic Charities West Virginia and in 2022 he was selected as a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.
Matthew Has Other Interests?
Matthew lives in Charleston with his wife, Jenna, and their two daughters. He is an avid supporter of his daughters’ youth sports teams, a national parks enthusiast, racket sports amateur, and a persistent reader.
Bar and Court Admissions
Professional Affiliations
Recent Representative Matters
In 2025 Matthew represented a services-based business in the sale of the equity interests of the owners for between ten and twenty million dollars in total consideration. The transaction involved, among other matters, an F reorganization of the seller entity, the negotiation of a roll-over equity agreement, state level regulatory approvals and the negotiation of a commercial lease agreement.
In 2025 Matthew represented the buyer in an asset acquisition in an equipment intensive business in southern West Virginia. The transaction involved the transfer of key agreements of the seller as well as the acquisition of a fleet of vehicles, mission critical equipment, and inventory. The transaction also included the acquisition of business-related and business adjacent real property and buildings from related sellers.
In 2024 Matthew represented a technology related business in the negotiation of a licensing agreement and related services arrangement representing a strong initial move of his client into a new market with a first-time customer.
In 2024 Matthew represented a technology related business in the negotiation of a management services agreement related to the development of a fiber infrastructure project.
Over the past ten years Matthew has advised a technology related business in a variety of commercial matters (including the restructuring of various services agreements, the planning and execution of key customer transactions, and addressing financing matters). He has worked with this client to resolve contractual disputes, address operational concerns, and pursue project based opportunities.
During the COVID pandemic Matthew advised commercial landlord clients dealing with issues ranging from tenant defaults, COVID related accommodation requests, and pandemic related lease compliance. He represented clients in matters related to safeguarding critical operations, HR compliance related to testing and vaccination, and other operational matters. Matthew advised clients related to force majeure assertions in commercial contracts and other supply side related business interruptions.
Published Work
Matthew co-authored “Appealing Changes: A Case for Expanding Appellate Review in West Virginia’s Judiciary” in The Rule of Law: Perspectives on Legal and Judicial Reform in West Virginia in 2009. He also contributed to the West Virginia Legislative Review Service, an overview of legislation signed into law in the state, in 2010, 2011, and 2012.
Mr. Bowles submitted briefs on behalf of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston as amicus curiae in the cases of O.J. Mayo v. WVSSAC in 2008 and State v. Beaver in 2022.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Matthew has demonstrated success in guiding the owners and principals of closely held companies through the complexities of buying or selling a business. He takes a personalized, hands-on approach, tailored to the unique needs of individual owners and non-publicly traded organizations to work through structuring transactions, negotiating letters of intent (LOI), negotiating and structuring financing, and working closely with tax advisors. He has experience on both the buyer and the seller side in working through extensive due diligence reviews, negotiating purchase agreements and related documents of various kinds, securing regulatory approvals, tacking contractual consent challenges, and addressing a plethora of business and transactional issues to enable clients to clear hurdles and close deals.
Often, the work of preparing for a transaction or an ownership transition happens months or years before a closing. In all of his work, Matthew strives to build long term relationships with his clients and recognize where the work of organizing business records; addressing ownership and management rights and relations; addressing potential business and legal risks; streamlining contracts; confronting regulatory compliance; and taking other proactive steps can help a business maximize its enterprise value and present favorably to potential buyers or otherwise place a concern on the right foot for an ownership transition. Matthew has experience taking a strategic approach to provide candid advice to clients planning for a transaction or ownership transition in a few months or a few years. Recognizing and anticipating concerns before they arise can help clients make informed decisions that reflect their long-term goals and protect their interests.
Commercial Transactions
Matthew has experience representing a variety of businesses across a wide spectrum of industries in the development, review, and negotiation key business agreements. He has represented clients in the preparation and negotiation of agreements related to the sale of goods and services, secured lending transactions, licensing arrangements, supply and distribution contracts, leases, and joint ventures. Matthew works to help clients to contracts are clearly written, enforceable, and in compliance with applicable state and federal law. He works to identify, and help clients to mitigate, legal risks. He seeks to clearly communicate the obligations and liabilities associated with every deal to help clients secure the deals that they pursue and to create long-term value for their businesses.
Business Organization and Capital Formation
Matthew works with new organizations and ventures to advise clients on selecting, structuring, and forming legal entities tailored to their business goals, liability concerns, tax considerations, and operational needs. He works with these clients, as well as clients that were organized without ever tackling these important foundational issues, to prepare or revise key governing documents (including bylaws, operating agreements, shareholder agreements, and partnership agreements) to establish the internal rules of the business, allocate decision making authority, and define ownership rights and responsibilities. Depending on the life cycle of the client, Matthew has provided guidance on addressing succession planning, providing dispute resolution mechanisms, and contemplating buy / sell provisions or transfer restrictions.
Commercial Leasing
Matthew has advised both landlords and tenants in preparing and negotiating commercial lease agreements of various kinds. He works with clients to identify their priorities and the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations associated with commercial spaces. He assists clients in reviewing and preparing lease documents, letters of intent, and amendments, as well as analyzing lease provisions related to rent, term, renewal options, use restrictions, maintenance obligations, insurance, and default remedies. Matthew has assisted clients in resolving lease disputes and he has worked closely with brokers, property managers, lenders, and other stakeholders to help facilitate smooth transactions.
Local Counsel Opinions
Matthew provides assistance for regional and national law firms in cross-jurisdictional deals by offering local counsel opinions regarding matters governed by the laws of the State of West Virginia. He works closely with national counsel coordinators to review loan documents, organizational documents, and applicable laws, timely address any issues of concern, and issue local counsel opinions.
Matthew R. Bowles is a respected community member who provides legal counsel and services throughout the state. Contact him at Lewis Gianola PLLC by calling (304) 345-2000 or completing the law firm’s online contact form to schedule a consultation to discuss how he can assist you.
