Christian J. Matozzo
About Christian J. Matozzo
Christian Matozzo is an attorney with the Orange County, California law firm of Brown & Streza LLP. A resident of South Bend, Indiana, Christian’s practice is dedicated to serving religious tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and churches navigate the increasingly complex world of compliance with federal, state, and local laws related to corporate formation, corporate governance, and tax-exempt status, ensuring that all exemptions crafted for religious organizations are considered and obtained for the organization at the outset. Through his practice, Christian aims to give his clients the necessary peace of mind and freedom that organization leadership requires to focus on advancing the core mission of their organization without encountering compliance issues in the future.
Prior to joining Brown & Streza, Christian worked at a law firm where he primarily helped form and represent nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations that sought to engage in litigation against local government entities. As part of his practice, Christian was frequently called upon to attend government meetings and make statements to local media to ensure that his client’s interests were properly presented.
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Christian received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Temple University and received a law degree cum laude from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law. For his final year of law school, Christian was a Visiting Student at Notre Dame Law School, where he participated in the Religious Liberty Initiative (now the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic) Religious Organizations Lab class. As part of the Religious Organizations Lab class, Christian provided pro bono legal assistance and counsel to a religious organization that sought to form a new nonprofit corporation and receive integrated auxiliary status from the IRS.
Professional Background
Brown & Streza, LLP, Irvine, California
Attorney, 2024-Present
Anderson, Agostino & Keller P.C., South Bend, Indiana
Attorney, 2023
St. Joseph County Superior Court, South Bend, Indiana
Law Clerk to the Honorable Mark P. Telloyan, 2022-2023
Visiting Student, Notre Dame Law School, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, 2022
Juris Doctor, cum laude, Beasley School of Law, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2022
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2017
Licensed to practice law in Indiana and Pennsylvania
Publications
Napa Legal Institute All-Access Library, January 24, 2024
- Co-Author with Pat Piccolo, Informing Religious Organizations on Making Wise Land Use Decisions
Napa Legal Institute All-Access Library, December 9, 2024
- How Religious Nonprofits Can Best Plan to Accept Noncash Charitable Contributions
Revista General De Derecho Canónico Y Derecho Eclesiástico Del Estado, 57, 2021
- Co-Author with Prof. Thomas C. Berg and Carolyn McDonnell, Conscience Rights and the Taking of Life in the United States
Community Involvement
Democrats for Life of America – Legal Committee Co-Chair
St. Thomas More Society of South Bend – President
Napa Legal Institute – Good Counselor Fellow
Knights of Columbus Council 1878 Mishawaka, Indiana – Member
Catholic Bar Association – Member
National Italian American Bar Association – Member
Robert A. Grant American Inn of Court, South Bend, Indiana – Former Member
Italian American Heritage Society of Notre Dame / Michiana – Former Member