Matthew K. Johnson is a shareholder in the Greenville office and represents employers in all aspects of employment and labor law before state and federal agencies and in state and federal courts including, among others, matters under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 1981, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and similar federal and state laws. In addition, he provides counsel and on a variety of employment and labor law matters including terminations, disciplinary actions, and preventive maintenance such as the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
Before joining Ogletree Deakins, Mr. Johnson worked in a general litigation and insurance defense practice and is experienced in civil litigation and trial practice, including construction litigation, commercial litigation, railroad and transportation, product liability, and premises liability matters. Mr. Johnson continues to use his prior experience in assisting Ogletree Deakins’ clients in construction and commercial matters.
Mr. Johnson attended Rhodes College, where he majored in philosophy. He attended the University of Memphis’ Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and clerked for the Honorable D’Army Bailey of the Shelby County Circuit Court. Afterward, Mr. Johnson returned home to Greenville to begin the private practice of law.
Mr. Johnson has been an active appointee to the City of Greenville Planning Commission, which makes recommendations to City Council on zoning and annexation issues, reviews and approves new subdivisions, and is involved in comprehensive planning to improve the health and welfare of the public.
Experience
Mr. Johnson regularly handles a variety of employment and labor law matters, including general counseling, preparation of policies and procedures, union campaigns, and employment litigation. Over the last several years, in addition to handling wrongful termination, pregnancy discrimination, disability discrimination, and race discrimination claims, his practice has become more focused on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Mr. Johnson regularly assists employers in drafting appropriate policies and procedures related to uniformed service leaves, assessing and avoiding risk in related HR practices, and defending employers in USERRA matters, including failure to hire, failure to reinstate, pay and benefits entitlement, and harassment claims.
Before turning his attention primarily to employment matters, Mr. Johnson’s gained substantial experience in general litigation and commercial litigation. In order to provide the most client service possible, he continues to assist the firm’s clients in these areas. Finally, Mr. Johnson’s general litigation background has allowed him to assist the firm’s construction clients in construction litigation matters.
South Carolina
U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
Professional Activities
- South Carolina Bar Association
- Greenville County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association
- Defense Research Institute
- Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Greenville, Class 34
- United Way of Greenville County
- Fourth Presbyterian Church
- Upstate South Carolina Alliance
- City of Greenville Planning Commission
- Ogletree Deakins 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
In The News
- 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"