Matthew J. Sharbaugh

As a well-rounded litigator with experience at the trial and appellate levels, Matt handles cases across the employment law spectrum. He regularly litigates cases involving claims of discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the DC Human Rights Act (DCHRA), and other federal and state laws. He frequently handles cases under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), including individual claims and complex class action matters involving 401(k) and 403(b) defined contribution plans, pension plans, and more.

Matt litigates whistleblower matters at the administrative and judicial levels, including claims arising under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (ERA), as well as wage and hour claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and various state laws. Matt also handles litigation matters arising under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), and has assisted clients with labor claims under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), including in arbitration hearings.

Along with an active litigation practice, Matt represents employers before various federal and state administrative agencies, and he regularly counsels clients with various employment law matters, including leave-related requests and reasonable accommodations, employee discipline, hiring and terminations, restrictive covenants, and executive transitions. Matt also conducts and assists employers with workplace investigations on a variety of sensitive matters.

Through his pro bono practice, Matt has represented a client in removal proceedings in the Arlington Immigration Court, helping to secure relief under the asylum laws. Matt also regularly advises several pro bono clients on a variety of employment-related questions and challenges.

Before joining Morgan Lewis, Matt served as a law clerk to Judge Robert Wilkins, first on the US District Court for the District of Columbia and later on the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Prior to that, Matt was an associate in the Los Angeles office of a global labor and employment law firm. Matt also previously served as an adjunct professor at the George Washington University Law School, teaching legal research and writing.