Matthew S. Perez
Counsel
Matthew Perez provides representation and counsel to businesses of all sizes, guiding them through the complexities of workplace legal issues. His experience covers a broad spectrum, including worker recruitment and applications, hiring, onboarding, compensation, discipline, leave management, accommodations, separations, and other workplace matters. By taking a proactive approach, he aims to minimize legal risks for his clients and ensure their compliance with the ever-evolving labor and employment laws at the federal, state, and local levels.
Matthew skillfully represents clients in litigation and administrative proceedings. He defends clients against employment claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, family and medical leave, union-management relations, and wage-and-hour disputes. His legal practice extends across federal and state courts nationwide. Matthew has successfully defended employers against lawsuits under key federal statutes such as the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor Relations Act and similar state laws.
Matthew prepares and reviews employment contracts, policies, severance agreements and employee handbooks. His counsel helps employers navigate potential conflicts involving hiring, disciplinary actions, terminations, wage-and-hour compliance, reductions-in-force, unionization issues, trade secret protection – thereby avoiding potential litigation. Clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, benefit from Matthew’s clear assessments and strategic advocacy, which are tailored to align with their business objectives and mitigate risks.
Matthew also advises clients on the strategic use of restrictive covenants, including confidentiality, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, to protect their business interests. He prepares customized agreements that meet both the legal requirements and specific objectives of the companies he serves. When enforcement of these agreements becomes necessary, Matthew represents employers in court and private arbitration to ensure compliance, seeking immediate and permanent relief to address violations and safeguard the rights and interests of his clients.
Experience
- Representation of numerous employers in defense of charges of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Florida Commission on Human Relations, and other state and local enforcement agencies.
- Representation of multiple clients in single-plaintiff EEO lawsuits in federal courts in Florida and other states.
- Representation of a package delivery company in defense of claims of disability discrimination, worker's compensation retaliation, and interference of leave under the FMLA.
- Representation of a national tax preparation services company in race, sex, age, and national origin discrimination cases in Alabama, Texas, Florida, and other jurisdictions throughout the United States.
- Representation of a national clinical laboratory in defense of race and sex discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment claims under the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.