Biography

Matt is an attorney in the firm's Employment Law, Litigation and Immigration Groups. His practice is equally divided between management-side labor and employment litigation and compliance counseling, where he represents a full range of clients in matters encompassing wrongful termination claims, labor disputes, workplace harassment and discrimination claims, wage and hour compliance and OSHA compliance.

For more than 20 years, Matt has represented clients in numerous industries, including the retail, health care, publishing, energy, manufacturing and telecommunications sectors. His clients include not only firms located in Maine, but throughout northern New England and Atlantic Canada. He frequently draws upon his varied professional experience to counsel clients in ways to avoid litigation or to effectively manage risks associated with their workforce management practices.

Matt also manages the firm's growing visa processing and business immigration practice, which specializes in H, L and TN nonimmigrant visa filings and PRA applications for 1st preference priority workers (including transnational executives), 2nd preference and 3rd preference professional and skilled workers requiring labor certifications.

Matt and his wife Mary C. Hartman, and their three sons, live on Cousins Island, in Yarmouth, Maine.

Professional Activities

  • American Bar Association
    • Section of Labor & Employment
  • Maine State Bar Association
  • New Hampshire Bar Association
  • Maine Chapter of the Labor Employment Relations Association (LERA), Maine Chapter
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
  • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • Rippleffect, Board of Directors, former Executive Committee Member
  • Children's Theatre of Maine, former Board member
  • City of Portland Civil Service Commission, former Chair

Firm Highlights

Publication

Re/Descheduling Marijuana Through Administrative Action

In the article "Re/Descheduling Marijuana Through Administrative Action" published in the Oklahoma Law Review , authors Scott Bloomberg, Alexandra Harriman, and Shane Pennington explore the complex legal framework surrounding the federal scheduling of marijuana...

Publication

131st Legislature Second Regular Session Update

Adjournment and Veto Day After a marathon last day of session, members of the Preti Legislative Practice Group were at the State House on April 18 th to witness the Maine State Legislature head...

News

Benchmark Litigation Names Preti Flaherty 2024 “Maine Firm of the Year"

Benchmark Litigation  has named Preti Flaherty as 2024 Litigation Firm of the Year in the State of Maine. Through extensive peer- and- client reviewed research, as well as analysis of casework; the Benchmark Awards...

Publication

Supreme Court Rules Certain Impact Fees Unconstitutional

A recent Supreme Court ruling in  Sheetz v. County of El Dorado  makes it clear that impact fees adopted by a legislative body may work as an unconstitutional taking of property. The Issue: This...

Event

Conducting Success: Tuning Up Your Discipline and Performance Framework

As an HR professional, hiring the right talent, addressing employee needs, and managing terminations are just a few of the most challenging problems that arise. During this year's three-part Employment Breakfast Webinar Series, we'll...

News

Attorney Jeffrey Thaler Named to 2024 Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Energy Law

Preti Flaherty’s attorney Jeffrey Thaler has been recognized by  Lawdragon  as one of the top 500 Leaders in Energy Law. This is Jeff’s third time named to this prestigious list since the first publication...

News

Preti Attorneys File Suit Against Al-Generated Robocalls in the 2024 NH Presidential Primary

Representing the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, the League of Women Voters of the United States, and individual voters, Preti Flaherty, with co-counsel, filed a federal lawsuit against Steve Kramer, Lingo Telecom...

News

Preti Flaherty Welcomes Trust and Estate Attorney Elise Salek to the Firm

Preti Flaherty is pleased to announce that Elise Salek has joined the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group. Practicing out of the firm’s Concord, New Hampshire office, Elise brings nearly three decades of experience...

Publication

Important Updates to American Arbitration Association Construction Industry Rules and Mediation Procedures

The American Arbitration Association (AAA) updated its Construction Industry Rules and Mediation procedures (AAA Rules), effective March 1, 2024, marking the first update since 2015. The updates are important because the AAA Rules are...

Event

When to Say Goodbye: Navigating Leave and Terminations

As an HR professional, hiring the right talent, addressing employee needs, and managing terminations are just a few of the most challenging problems that arise. During this year's three-part Employment Breakfast Webinar Series, we'll...