Matthias is an experienced litigator with a multi-disciplinary practice representing employees and businesses on a variety of employment and civil-litigation matters, utilizing his varied background in corporate law, economics, mathematics, and business litigation to navigate the complicated financial issues involved in these disputes. Prior to joining Pierce Jewett, Matthias represented several large transportation, hospitality, and commercial real estate companies on a wide range of commercial and employment cases, including Title VII and other discrimination cases, Fair Labor Standards Act and other wage/hour cases, LLC/partnership disputes, franchising disputes, commercial lease enforcement, and other contract/commercial disputes.
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Matthias has extensive litigation and ADR experience advocating at all levels of Virginia courts, in Federal courts, in front of the American Arbitration Association, and in mediation. He also counsels clients to find solutions to commercial and employment issues before they escalate to litigation, including negotiating severance packages, negotiating early releases from employment contracts, and counseling companies on employee governance issues. Matthias also has extensive experience counseling and advocating for state employees and licensees who are facing state administrative procedures that would jeopardize their continued employment or professional licenses, including an active practice defending professional licensees before the Virginia Department of Health.
Outside of work and family life, Matthias enjoys playing pickleball and ultimate frisbee. He has served as Commissioner for Church Hill Ultimate, a local sports organization, and is on the Junior Board of Historic Richmond, a 501(c)3 non-profit that works to encourage preservation, rehabilitation, and revitalization in the greater Richmond area (previously serving as President).Selected Experience:
Successfully overturned demurrer in Virginia Court of Appeals on novel Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act case (Arnold v. City of Norfolk, Case No. 2048-23-1, Jan. 7, 2025)
Obtained six-figure settlement on behalf of City of Richmond employee in FLSA and procedural due process litigation in Federal court
Obtained six-figure settlement on behalf of casino employee in wrongful termination / whistleblower claim
Obtained six-figure settlement on behalf of multiple private employees in multi-state Federal wage/hour litigation
Successfully overturned Virginia DSS neglect finding on appeal on behalf of teacher
Obtained six-figure settlement on behalf of Federal employees in overtime litigation against agency
Obtained six-figure settlement on behalf of employee in ERISA whistleblower claim
Obtained dismissal of whistleblower retaliation case and retraction of other associated claims on behalf of local business
Obtained six-figure judgment as lead counsel in Federal trade secrets litigation on behalf of local business
Obtained favorable settlement returning property in real estate title fraud case
Successfully overturned intended termination on behalf of firefighter on appeal
Obtained multiple six- and seven- figure judgments as lead counsel in commercial lease enforcement lawsuits on behalf of S&P 100 commercial property group
Obtained seven-figure ICDR arbitration verdict as co-lead counsel in international franchising dispute on behalf of large fitness chain
Briefed, argued, and won dismissal on summary judgment as lead counsel for regional transportation company in Federal court in multi-million-dollar CERCLA environmental cleanup lawsuit