Matthew T. Gomes

Matt Gomes' practice focuses on labor and employment law, commercial litigation, class actions, and special matters and investigations.

Throughout Matt’s legal career, he has successfully litigated high-stakes cases in federal and state courts and before government agencies throughout the United States.  Matt has extensive experience in litigating matters alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation; wage and hour claims; employee benefits; breaches of covenants not to compete, solicit or disclose; trade secret misappropriation; breaches of fiduciary duty; unfair competition; computer theft; defamation; tortious interference; civil RICO claims; business litigation; and commercial litigation.  He frequently assists clients with the identification, collection, and production of electronically stored information in complex legal matters such as class or collective actions.  He also represents employers in labor arbitrations, union election campaigns, union contract negotiations, and unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board.

In addition, Matt proactively partners with his clients to provide advice, counsel, and training to ideally circumvent legal issues, including matters involving corrective action, discipline, discharge, reductions-in-force, employee handbooks, employment agreements, affirmative action plans, and audits and inspections from government agencies.  He also advises clients regarding labor and employment aspects of corporate acquisitions or divestitures.

Matt is the author of several articles and publications and has been interviewed by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, TV stations, and national publications for his insights into how employment law issues impact businesses in general.  He is a frequent speaker at seminars on a variety of labor and employment law issues, including wage-hour, covenants not to compete, trade secret protection, workers’ compensation, discipline and discharge, electronic discovery, workplace policies, immigration law compliance, sexual harassment, and FMLA compliance.

• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of automobile parts retailer on claims by supplier for breach of contract and money owed on account, and secured a judgment for client on its conversion counterclaim against supplier in the amount of $345,508.
• Obtained summary judgment for automobile parts retailer on claims of age discrimination, retaliation, and breach of contract (alleged failure to pay accrued vacation pay on termination of employment).
• Obtained summary judgment for funeral home on claims of sex and pregnancy discrimination in violation of state law.
• Obtained summary judgment for cemetery in lawsuit alleging breach of contract, fraud, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distresses based on wrongful burial.
• Defended automotive parts manufacturer and distributor and its employees in trade secret misappropriation lawsuit.  Federal court denied plaintiff’s motion for temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction putting corporate client out of business and ordering it to fire individual clients.
• Lead counsel defending cemetery in jury trial on plaintiffs’ claims alleging wrongful burial.
• Represented restaurant client in Fair Labor Standards Act collective/class action.
• Defended insurance company in two-week class action jury trial involving claims of independent contractor misclassification under ERISA involving approximately 7,000 class members.
• Obtained summary judgment for acute care hospital on claims of race discrimination, retaliation and hostile work environment in violation of Title VII and state law.
• Obtained summary judgment for acute care hospital on claims for race and religious discrimination in violation of Title VII, ADEA and ADA discrimination and retaliation, FMLA retaliation, and state law breach of contract claim.
• Obtained summary judgment for provider of warehousing and transportation services on Title VII retaliation claim.
• Obtained summary judgment for funeral home on claims for disability discrimination and retaliation in violation of state law.
• Obtained summary judgment for window film company on claims for race discrimination, harassment and retaliation in violation of Title VII and Section 1981.
• Obtained summary judgment for truck leasing company on state law claims for false imprisonment, slander, malicious prosecution, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
• Obtained summary judgment for supply chain management and logistics company on claims of sex discrimination, age discrimination, disability discrimination and FMLA retaliation.
• Lead counsel responsible for defense verdict for home health client in five-day jury trial on Title VII retaliation claim.  The Court previously dismissed claims for sex discrimination, negligent supervision, and emotional distress at summary judgment.
• Led management team on behalf of manufacturing client in first contract collective bargaining agreement negotiations with Steelworkers union.
• Represented health information management client in nationwide Fair Labor Standards Act collective/class action.
• Obtained temporary restraining order on behalf of software developer client enjoining competitor from employing two former executives based on inevitable disclosure of trade secrets in violation of the Georgia Trade Secrets Act – even in the absence of any covenant not to compete.
• Lead counsel responsible for verdict awarding six-figure damages plus attorney’s fees after a five-day jury trial on insurance brokerage client’s claims against former agent for breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference and misappropriation of trade secrets.
• Represented stevedoring client in two-day unfair labor practice trial before the National Labor Relations Board and in subsequent litigation in federal appeals court.
• Obtained summary judgment for home health client on claims of sex discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, emotional distress and breach of contract.
• Obtained injunction enforcing heavy equipment distributor client’s covenant not to solicit against former salesperson and new employer, which was subsequently affirmed by state appeals court.
• Obtained summary judgment for president of insurance brokerage for alleged failure to pay overtime to insurance agent under FLSA.
• Lead counsel responsible for defense verdict for automotive manufacturer client in three-day jury trial on race, sex and national origin discrimination and retaliation claims under Title VII. Jury deliberated for 20 minutes before returning defense verdict. The Court previously dismissed claims for sexual harassment, violation of COBRA and emotional distress at summary judgment.

The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2023 - 2025

Georgia Trend, Legal Elite, Labor & Employment,  2012, 2013, 2016, 2019

Super Lawyers®, Georgia Rising Stars List, Employment & Labor, 2005-2006, 2009-2013

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