Matthew S. McConnell

Matthew S. McConnell is a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group in the firm's Del Mar Office.

Mr. McConnell primarily specializes in labor and employment matters on behalf of management. He has significant trial experience and has achieved multiple defense verdicts. He has extensive experience defending employers in wrongful termination and employment discrimination litigation, including claims for harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. He also has significant experience representing employers on a variety of issues including representative and class action wage and hour matters, traditional labor matters, unfair competition claims, breach of contract, fraud and prevailing wages.

In addition to his labor and employment practice, Mr. McConnell also handles a variety of general business litigation matters and is a member of the firm's Construction, Environmental, Real Estate and Land Use Litigation Practice Group. Mr. McConnell also has experience with Indian law and is actively involved in litigation on behalf of Indian Tribes.

Education

• J.D., Duke University, 2000
• B.A., University of California, San Diego, 1992

Admissions

• California
• U.S. District Courts for the Central, Eastern and Southern Districts of California
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Representative Matters

Mr. McConnell recently reversed a coverage determination by the State of California which had found that a Hilton Hotel in San Diego was a public work subject to prevailing wages. Mr. McConnell has achieved numerous dismissals of cases against employers on summary judgment. Mr. McConnell's trial successes include a complete defense verdict in a discrimination, harassment and retaliation case in San Diego Superior Court and a directed verdict in favor of a home builder on claims for breach of contract and failure to pay wages. Mr. McConnell has also been involved in a number of general construction related matters including successfully suing a private golf club on behalf of a world renowned luxury resort for various claims related to groundwater intrusion.

Memberships

• Member, Labor and Employment Law Section, San Diego County Bar Association

Articles

• Supreme Court Opens Door To "Mixed-Motive" Discrimination Claims, June 11, 2003

Mr. McConnell is a regular contributor to the Engineering and General Contractors Association's bi-monthly magazine where he writes an article addressing new developments in the law entitled "Ask the Expert."

Events

• Labor and Employment Law: Mid-Year Update 2009 - La Jolla, September 22, 2009, Breakfast With Your Labor Lawyer
• Labor and Employment Law: Mid-Year Update 2008 - San Diego, September 23, 2008, Breakfast With Your Labor Lawyer
• Breakfast With Your Labor Lawyer - San Diego, February 20, 2008
• Breakfast With Your Labor Lawyer - La Jolla, January 22, 2008