Matt Simpson is a partner in the firm’s Atlanta office, where he is a member of the firm’s Automotive Dealership and Education Practice Groups.  Matt represents management in all areas of labor and employment law in state and federal courts as well as before state and federal agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the United States Department of Labor.

Matt’s litigation practice is focused on the defense of class and collective actions.  He has handled numerous collective actions involving claims for unpaid wages pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and represents both employers and consumer reporting agencies in class actions brought under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).  Matt also defends employers against single and multi-plaintiff claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination brought under various federal and state laws.

In addition to his litigation practice, Matt counsels employers and their managers on "preventive" employee relations. This includes advice on employee background screening and selection, drug and alcohol testing, wage and hour compliance, harassment investigations, and disciplinary strategies.  Matt drafts employment applications, employee handbooks, arbitration agreements, confidentiality agreements, and non-compete, non-solicitation, and severance agreements.  He conducts regular employment and wage-hour audits for his clients to ensure that they continue to be in compliance with changing laws and regulations.

Matt currently sits on the Executive Committee for the State Bar of Georgia’s Labor and Employment Law Section.  He is a past recipient of the State Bar of Georgia Labor and Employment Award, and has been listed in each edition of Georgia Super Lawyers – Rising Stars from 2011 to the Present.  In 2015, Matt was recognized by Law360 as a Rising Star and one of the Top Labor and Employment Attorneys Under 40 in the nation. 

Representative Work

Honors & Awards

• Georgia State Bar Labor and Employment Law Recipient (2007)
• Georgia Super Lawyers - Rising Star since 2011
• Top Attorneys Under 40
• Law360 Rising Star

News

Seminars & Speaking Engagements

• "The Politics of Employment Law: Understanding L&E in a New Administration”
  Jacksonsville Auto Dealers Association
  6.22.17
• “The Politics of Employment Law: Understanding L&E in a New Administration”
  Auto CPA Spring Meeting
  5.19.17
• "The Politics of Employment Law: Understanding L&E in a New Administration"
  NADC 13^th Annual Member Conference
  4.25.17
• Tattoos, Piercings, and Scantily Clad Workers
  BLR Webinar
  2011
• Processing Garnishments: A Guide for Georgia Employers
  Lorman Education Services
  2010
• Recruiting and Hiring the Right People
  DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce
  2010
• Social Media
  Douglas County Chamber of Commerce
  2010

Articles

• "A Practical Approach to Avoiding the Pitfalls of Misclassifying Workers"

Blog Posts

Legal Alerts

Newsletter Articles