C. Matthew Keen

Employment Litigation

Matt regularly represents employers in litigation matters in state and federal courts. He has tried numerous cases to defense verdicts, in addition to successful summary judgment motions in many other matters. Significant verdicts & decisions include:

• Jenkins v. Akzo Nobel Coatings. 4th Circuit affirmed summary judgment on breach of contract and fraud claims filed by expatriate employee.
• Abdel-Rahman v. BASF.  Defense jury verdict in age and national origin discrimination case.
• Howard v. Cape Industries. 4th Circuit upheld summary judgment on ERISA claims.
• Holder-Blake v. Duke University. Defense jury verdict in age discrimination case.
• Kearns v. Duke University. Defense verdict in race discrimination case.
• Kranz v. Hendrick Automotive Group. North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment on wrongful discharge claim.
• Chao v. IBM. 4th Circuit affirmed summary judgment on claims of age and national origin discrimination.
• Allen v. IBM. 4th Circuit affirmed motion to dismiss “Woodson” intentional injury claim.
• Coggins et al. v. PSNC Energy. Defense verdict in harassment and hostile work environment claims.

Arbitration

Matt has tried many employment arbitrations for leading North Carolina employers. He has litigated a wide variety of discrimination claims in the arbitration context.  He also has handled many labor arbitrations before AAA and FMCS.

Education

• J.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1987
• B.S., North Carolina State University, 1983

Admission to Practice

• U.S. Supreme Court
• North Carolina
• U.S. District Court, Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth, Fifth, and Eleventh Circuits

• American Bar Association (Committee on WARN Act)
• North Carolina Bar Association (Labor and Employment Law Section, Litigation Section)
• Wake County Bar Association
• American Employment Law Council
• Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors
• Raleigh Sports Council Steering Committee

• Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Preparing for 2023: Data, Trends, and Strategies” – Colorado Springs – September 22, 2022
• Capital Associated Industries – 2014 Labor & Employment Law Update – “Top 10 Tips for Avoiding (or Minimizing) Employment Litigation” – Raleigh – May 15, 2014
• Capital Associated Industries – 2014 Labor & Employment Law Update – “Eye on Employment Law” – Raleigh – May 14, 2014
• RTAC-ACC Conference – “Key Employment Law Issues for 2014: Expected Employment Legislation” – Raleigh – January 15, 2014
• Capital Associated Industries – 2013 Labor & Employment Law Update – “Meeting the Reasonable Accommodation Challenges Under the ADA” – Raleigh – May 23, 2013
• NC SHRM Conference – “The Role of HR in Significant Milestone Events” – Raleigh – January 30, 2013
• Capital Associated Industries – 2012 Labor & Employment Law Update – “Disability Enforcement Trends After ADAAA” – Raleigh – May 2, 2012
• ACC Conference: Managing a Workforce in 2012 – “Recent Employment Litigation Decisions Affecting NC Employers” – Raleigh – March 21, 2012
• North Carolina Society for Human Resources Management Conference – “Eye On Employment Law” – Raleigh – September 29, 2011
• Capital Associated Industries – 2011 Labor & Employment Law Update – “Test Your Employment Knowledge” – Raleigh – May 18, 2011
• Capital Associated Industries – 2011 Labor & Employment Law Update – “ADAAA – The New Regulations & Slippery Slope of Reasonable Accommodation” – Raleigh – May 17, 2011
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Compensation Discrimination: What’s Next After the Lilly Ledbetter Act?” – Chicago – May 12, 2011
• Ogletree Deakins webinar – “ADAAA: Will the Final Regulations Change How Employers Handle Disability Issues in the Workplace?” – April 20, 2011
• Alamance Society for Human Resources Management – Employment Law Trends – “Developments Under the ADAAA, New DOL Enforcement Strategies, and Recent Supreme Court Decision Affecting Employee Privacy” – Burlington – September 21, 2010
• Capital Associated Industries – 2010 Labor & Employment Update – “Disability Discrimination: The New Risks for Employers” – Raleigh – May 12, 2010
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Tackling Tough Wage & Hour Issues” – Las Vegas – May 7, 2010
• Associate of Corporate Counsel America, Research Triangle Chapter – “The State of North Carolina Employment Law” – Raleigh – November 18, 2009
• Capital Associated Industries – 2009 Labor & Employment Law Update – “Congressional Status Report” – Raleigh – May 14, 2009
• Capital Associated Industries – 2009 Labor & Employment Law Update – “The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008: What Employers Should Expect in 2009 and Beyond” – Raleigh – May 13, 2009
• Employers’ Association – CEO Conference – “Legislative Landscape in the Obama Legislation” – Fort Worth – April 1, 2009

• June 23, 2020 – The National Law Journal – “The NLJ 500: Where Are Women Winning?”
• April 11, 2019 – The Daily Report – “Strong Demand Fuels Growth for Big Four Labor and Employment Firms”
• October 24, 2018 – Law360 – “Law Firm Leaders: Ogletree’s C. Matthew Keen”
• June 14, 2018 – Bloomberg Big Law Business – “Workflows: Ogletree Opens Office in Maine”
• June 6, 2018 – The American Lawyer – “Labor, Not Lobster, Legal Giant Heads to Maine”
• April 15, 2018 – Law360 – “How 3 Employment Firms Are Pulling Ahead Of The Pack”
• March 30, 2018 – Daily Report – “Ogletree Keeps Up Momentum With Revenue, Profit Gains”
• March 28, 2018 – Law360 – “13 Law Firms Boast The Most Client-Savvy Attorneys”
• January 22, 2018 – Law360 – “Employment Group Of The Year: Ogletree Deakins”
• June 29, 2017 – Upstate Business Journal – “Four decades in, Ogletree Deakins is No. 2 in its field”
• May 2, 2017 – Daily Report – “Ogletree Posts Another Year of Revenue, Profit Gains”
• September 20, 2016 – Law360 – “The 4 Firms GCs Want To Tap For Employment Suits”
• July 1, 2016 – Law360 – “4 Bad Habits Firm Leaders Need To Break Now”
• February 5, 2016 – Bloomberg BNA – “Ogletree Deakins’ New Leader Predicts Smart Growth”
• September 21, 2015 – Law360 – “3 Firms Are GCs’ Faves For Employment Litigation”
• September 21, 2015 – Law360 – “2 Firms Are GC Faves For Class Action Litigation”
• September 30, 2014 – Law 360 – “5 Firms are GC Faves for Employment Litigation”
• June 14, 2010 – Law360 – “Portfolio Billing Gains Steam as Firms Reap Profits”
• January 8, 2010 – Triangle Business Journal – “Employers Add Screening Steps in Hiring Process”

• Fellow, The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers 
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Employment Law – Management (2006-2025)
  • Labor Law – Management (2006-2025)
  • Litigation – Labor and Employment (2006-2025)
• Named the Best Lawyers^® 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2025 Labor Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year” in Raleigh
• Named the Best Lawyers^® 2012 Employment Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year” in Raleigh
• Top Tier in Chambers listing of top Labor and Employment attorneys in North Carolina
• Super Lawyers* for North Carolina since 2006
• North Carolina Law Review
• Order of the Coif
• Chief Justice Walter Clark award (given to top 5 in class)

*Disclaimer:

Please follow the link provided for information on the standards for admission to this group, organization, or publication. This group, organization, or publication does not have a financial interest in promoting any particular lawyer. There is no fee charged for membership in this group, organization, or publication.