Matthew Kreutzer

Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 | 6 a.m.

Matthew Kreutzer

Age: 36

Current job: Partner, Armstrong Teasdale LLP; chair of the firm’s Franchising, Distribution and Antitrust Practice Group

Education: American University, Bachelor of Science in Justice; George Washington University Law School, Juris Doctor

About Matthew Kreutzer: As a partner and franchise attorney at Armstrong Teasdale, Matthew Kreutzer is working to diversify the business community in Las Vegas. He is building a group of national and regional franchise companies that have chosen Las Vegas as their corporate headquarters. Kreutzer sells companies on the favorable tax climate, low cost of living and strategic location. He focuses on general corporate law and franchise and distribution law and has extensive experience representing and counseling franchise systems in all stages of development. He is a member of the bar in Nevada, California and Maryland. Kreutzer is a founder and organizer of the Nevada Franchisor Roundtable, an organization for locally based franchise companies to talk, share experiences and ideas and to learn more about issues affecting them and the industry as a whole. He is active with the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and donates his time to answer members’ legal questions at no charge. Additionally, Kreutzer is involved in the Children’s Aid Project and the Nevada Development Authority.

The most important issue facing the valley: Diversifying the economy so that we are not so heavily dependent on one industry. Las Vegas is very well positioned to attract businesses from other industries, particularly those in California. However, we haven’t done enough to attract those businesses.

My mentor and why: I can’t point to any one person. I owe everything I’ve learned to a large number of people, including my wife, my parents, past supervisors, my colleagues, my business coach, and my peers. I feel that to single any one of them out would be to ignore the invaluable contributions the others have made to my life.

Favorite Web site: www.imdb.com – it’s an Internet movie database.

Hobbies: Movies. Not only do I go to the movie theater an average of twice a week, but I also attend film festivals around the country. I also enjoy wine tasting and collecting, traveling, swimming and snorkeling.

Fantasy job: Film critic.

One-word description of self: Multifaceted.