Education

  • J.D., University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law (1996)

  • Great Lakes Jerusalem study abroad, Program, Israel (1990)

  • B.A., Rhodes College (1991)

Admitted to Practice

  • South Carolina

  • U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit

Reported Cases

  • Smith v. D.R. Horton, Inc., 417 S.C. 42, 790 S.E.2d 1 (2016); aff’g 403 S.C. 10, 742 S.E.2d 37 (Ct. App. 2013)

  • Gilbert v. Miller, 356 S.C. 25, 586 S.E.2d 861 (S.C. App. 2003)

 Professional Activities

  • Candidate, Greenville City Council, District 1 (2019)

  • City of Greenville Planning Commission (Member, 2009-2017; Chair, 2013-2017)

  • South Carolina Bar Association (Employment & Labor Law Section–Section Delegate (2021), Chair (2020), Chair Elect (2019), Vice Chair (2018), Secretary (2017), CLE Coordinator (2016), Newsletter Coordinator (2015); Torts & Insurance Practice Section–Chair (2005), Chair Elect (2004)

  • Greenville County Bar Association (Executive Council, 2004-2009; Judicial Relations Liaison, 2004-2006, 2008-2009; Client Relations, 2007-2008)

  • Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Greenville, Class 34

  • National Institute for Trial Advocacy (1999)

Honors

  • Best Lawyers in America - Employment Law - Management (2013-2024)

Speeches

  • Webinar - "Time to Vote: Employee Voting Leave Rights and Employer Obligations for the 2020 Elections" - September 29, 2020

  • Webinar - "Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA): What Employers Need to Know" - March 27, 2020

  • Webinar - "Unpacking USERRA: Employment and Reemployment Rights for Uniformed Service Members" - June 26, 2019

  • Seminar - "Back to the Future! Managing Return-to-Work Issues" - Las Vegas - May 1, 2019

  • Seminar - "When Employees Return From Leave, the Journey for HR Continues" - Phoenix - May 10, 2018

  • Seminar - "The Dizzying Array of State and Local Employment Laws: Round 1-Leave Entitlements" - Boca Raton - November 9, 2017

  • Seminar - "Paid Sick Leave Laws Update—The Latest Compliance Challenges" - San Diego - May 5, 2017

  • Seminar - "Pardon the Interruption! Workplace Strategies Style" - San Diego - May 5, 2017

  • Seminar - "The State of the States: Late-Breaking Update on State Laws (and Some Local Ones)" - San Diego - May 4, 2017

  • Seminar - "Paid Sick Leave Laws—Policy Challenges for Employers" - San Antonio - May 15, 2015

  • Greenville Technical College, Certificate in Employee Relations Law Series - "Year-End Review" - Greenville - January 20, 2015

  • Greenville Technical College, Certificate in Employee Relations Law Series - "Workplace Violence and Bullying" - Greenville - December 16, 2014

  • Greenville Technical College, Certificate in Employee Relations Law Series - "Year-End Review" - Greenville - January 21, 2014

  • Greenville Technical College, Certificate in Employee Relations Law Series - "Workplace Violence and Bullying" - Greenville - December 17, 2013

  • Spartanburg Development Association, Human Resources Law Update - "The Evolving Face of Discrimination - Expanded Protected Categories" - Spartanburg - February 26, 2013

  • Greenville Technical College, Certificate in Employee Relations Law Series - "Year-End Review" - Greenville - January 15, 2013

  • Greenville Technical College, Certificate in Employee Relations Law Series - "Workplace Violence and Bullying" - Greenville - December 18, 2012

  • Webinar - "Voting Leave" - October 24, 2012

  • Seminar - "When Johnny (and Suzie) Comes Marching Home: A Refresher on Uniformed Service Members' Rights and Employers' Obligations Under USERRA" - Phoenix - May 11, 2012

  • Spartanburg Development Association, Human Resources Law Update - "Avoiding Unnecessary Headaches - Employee Claims, Charges & Lawsuits" - Spartanburg - February 28, 2012

  • Greenville Technical College, Certificate in Employee Relations Law Series - "Year-End Review" - Greenville - January 17, 2012

  • Greenville Technical College, Certificate in Employee Relations Law Series - "Workplace Bullying" - Greenville - December 13, 2011

  • Spartanburg Development Association - "Independent Contractor Misclassification and the New IRS 'Safe Harbor'" - Spartanburg - December 2, 2011

  • Webinar - "When Johnny (and Suzie) Comes Marching Home: A Refresher on Uniformed Service Members' Rights and Employers' Obligations Under USERRA" - December 1, 2011

  • BLR Webinar - "Employment Bias: How To Comply with the U.S. Supreme Court's Brand-New Pro-Employee Ruling in Staub" - May 9, 2011

  • Breakfast Briefing - "The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act" - Greenville - February 3, 2011

  • Greenville Technical College, Certificate in Employee Relations Law Series - "Year-End Review (including Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act and Case Law Update)" - Greenville - January 18, 2011

  • Spartanburg Development Association Year-End HR Briefing - "2010 Case Law Update" - Spartanburg - December 3, 2010

  • NC/SC Bar Labor and Employment Law Seminar - "2010 Case Law Update" - Asheville - October 22, 2010

Published Works

  • 2012 - XPertHR/LexisNexis Employment Law Manual - "Module on USERRA"

Media Quotes

  • March 6, 2020 - SHRM Online - "As Virus Spreads, Washington Weighs Helping Workers Without Paid Leave"

  • March 4, 2020 - SHRM Online - "Coronavirus Outbreak Prompts Employers to Review Sick Leave Policies"

  • March 28, 2019 - Greenville Journal - "Matt Johnson running for Greenville City Council"

  • May 17, 2018 - SHRM Online - "How Yearlong Paid Leave Works"

  • July 14, 2014 - Law360 - "EEOC Pregnancy Bias Guidance May Tee Up High Court Clash"

  • May 1, 2011 - Inside Counsel - "USERRA Ruling Validates Cat's Paw Theory of Discrimination"

  • March 23, 2010 - SHRM.org - "USERRA Rehire Obligation Varies After Layoffs"

  • March 9, 2010 - SHRM.org - "New Law Will Affect Residency of Military Spouses This Tax Season"