Matthew M. Durham
PEOPLE

Matthew M. Durham

Partner
durham.matt@dorsey.com

Overview

MATT HELPS EMPLOYERS FIND EFFICIENT, COMMON-SENSE WAYS TO RESOLVE EMPLOYMENT ISSUES THAT FURTHERS THEIR BUSINESS OBJECTIVES.
Matt defends employers in Utah and throughout the west before state and federal courts and administrative agencies in disputes involving employment discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour, drug testing, leave, noncompetition, workplace torts, benefits and labor/occupational safety issues. In addition to litigation, Matt routinely advises employers on developing and implementing personnel policies and complying with state and federal employment laws.

Education & Admissions

University of Utah (J.D., 1992),

  • Articles Editor, Utah Law Review, 1991-1992
  • Order of the Coif

University of Utah (B.A., 1989)

Admissions

  • Utah
  • Colorado
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Languages

  • Spanish

Experience

  • Blackett v. Brainstorm, Inc. (D. Utah): Granting summary judgment to dismiss gender discrimination and retaliation claims.
  • CHG v. Hayward DuPont, LLC, (Utah State Court): Obtained a temporary restraining order on behalf of CHG to enjoin former employees from improperly using trade secret information and soliciting its customers.
  • Dickson v. Endurance International, Inc. (D. Utah): Represented employer in a race and age discrimination case. After conducting discovery and filing motion for summary judgment, plaintiff agreed to dismiss case with no consideration paid by employer.
  • McLaughlin v. Cookietree, Inc. (Utah Ct. App): Represented Cookietree, Inc. in a protracted disputed with a former executive involving employment and corporate ownership issues. Obtained favorable rulings in arbitration on employment issues and in state court on corporate issues, which were upheld on appeal.
  • Kepas v. eBay Inc. (10th Cir.): Obtained order from federal district court compelling arbitration in gender and age discrimination, harassment and retaliation case. Tenth Circuit affirmed district court’s decision after arbitrator awarded summary judgment on all claims.
  • Pumphrey v. LifeScan, Inc. (D. Utah): Claims of age and gender discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation dismissed on summary judgment.
  • Ellington v. Murray Energy Corp. (D. Utah): Won summary judgment on religious discrimination, failure to accommodate and retaliation claims.
  • Stien v. Marriott Ownership Resorts, Inc. (Utah Ct. App. 1996): Court of Appeals upheld district court’s dismissal of invasion of privacy claims based upon video produced by employees and shown at company function.

News & Resources

Articles

Protecting the Protectors: In Murray v. UBS, the U.S. Supreme Court Articulates the New Standard for SOX Whistleblower Claims
Utah Legislature Enacts Comprehensive Prohibition on the Use of DEI in Public Education and in State Government
Are Employers Required to Make Commuting Accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act?
What Information is Off-Limits for Utah Employers Under the New Vaccine and Immunity Passport Restrictions Act?
Non-competition Agreements under Scrutiny at State and Federal Level

News & Press Mentions

Salt Lake City’s Matt Durham Featured in Law360, HR Dive Discussing DOL’s Independent Contractor Rule
200 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
Super Lawyers Recognizes 16 Dorsey Attorneys in Boise, Missoula, and Salt Lake City
Dorsey Partner Matthew Durham on Employers Needing to Change Their Religious Accommodation Policies
Dorsey Partner Matthew Durham on Vax Mandate Suits Getting Lift from New Religious Accommodation Test
Dorsey Partners Matthew Durham and Briana Al Taqatqa Comment on Noncompete Bans
21 Dorsey Attorneys and Four Practices Recognized in 2023 Utah Legal Elite
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 23 Dorsey Lawyers and Four Practices in Salt Lake City
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Utah 2023 Legal Elite
Dorsey Partner Matthew Durham on the Supreme Court Clearing Constitutional Challenges to Federal Agencies to Proceed in District Court
Dorsey Partner Matthew Durham Discusses the FTC Bringing Charges Over Noncompete Clauses
Durham Discusses the FTC Proposal Banning Non-Competes
Dorsey Partner Matthew Durham on the FTC Plan to Ban Non-Competes - Wall Street Journal
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Employment Litigator Matt Durham Joins Dorsey’s Growing Salt Lake City Office

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Named by Best Lawyers as Employment Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year,” Salt Lake City, 2020; Litigation – Labor & Employment “Lawyer of the Year,” Salt Lake City, 2013 and 2018; and Labor Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year,” Salt Lake City, 2016
  • Included in The Best Lawyers in America (currently: Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor & Employment), 2009–2022
  • Selected “Employment Lawyer of the Year” by the Utah State Bar Labor and Employment Section, 2013
  • Included in Utah Business Legal Elite, 2011–2018, 2020–2021
  • Selected as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” (Utah) by Chambers USA (currently: Labor & Employment), 2005–2021
  • Listed in Mountain States Super Lawyers (Employment & Labor), 2010–2021
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated with Martindale-Hubbell
  • Member, Labor and Employment Section, Utah State Bar and American Bar Association
  • Member, Litigation Section, Utah State Bar and American Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • Board of Trustees, S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, 2019
  • Board of Governors, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, 2017–present
  • Board member, Utah Center for Legal Inclusion, 2016–present
  • Member, Holladay City Council
  • Past President, The Road Home Board of Trustees

Accolades

Chambers USA 2023Chambers 2022

  • Ranked one of "America’s Leading Business Lawyers" by Chambers USA (Labor & Employment), 2005-2023
  • Named a Super Lawyer by Mountain States Super Lawyers®, 2010-2023
  • Recognized in Best Lawyers in America©, 2008-2024
Matthew M. Durham