Matthew H. Parker

Matthew H. Parker

Partner

Matt’s practice is focused on employment law, business litigation, and labor law. He counsels employers and human resources professionals on how to hire, fire, pay, manage, and negotiate with employees, he drafts employment contracts, employee handbooks, non-compete agreements, and non-disclosure agreements, he conducts workplace investigations and trainings, he represents companies and individuals in federal and state courts, and he is also an experienced practitioner before administrative agencies such as the R.I. Commission for Human Rights, the R.I. Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Among other issues, Matt has litigated contract, insurance, and real estate disputes, benefits claims, discrimination claims and wage disputes, collection actions, and tort actions.

He counsels clients concerning Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, the FLSA, the FMLA, the NLRA, and state labor and employment laws and regulations.

He represents unionized employers in grievance arbitration hearings and in defense of unfair labor practice charges, he contests union representation petitions, and he has successfully handled unemployment and other agency appeals.

Matt has also enforced and challenged various non-compete, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements, and he has prosecuted and defended whistleblower and retaliation cases. Additionally, he has counseled several clients towards favorable settlements in confidential mediations.

In his “free” time, Matt is an editor of HR Hero’s “Rhode Island Employment Law Letter,” he is the Chair of the Labor Law and Employment Committee of the Rhode Island Bar Association, he is a competitive sailor and squash player, and he enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young children.

EDUCATION

  • Boston College Law School, J.D., National Environmental Law Moot Court Team
  • Connecticut College, B.A., cum laude

BAR MEMBERSHIPS

  • Connecticut
  • Massachusetts
  • Rhode Island
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • WHELAN CORRENTE & FLANDERS LLP
    Partner (2016 – Present)
    Associate (2011-2016)
  • HINCKLEY, ALLEN & SNYDER LLP
    Associate (2009 – 2011)
    Summer Associate (2008)
  • BOSTON COLLEGE LEGAL ASSISTANCE BUREAU
    Student Attorney (2008 – 2009)
  • U.S. DISTRICT COURT (D.R.I.)
    Legal Intern to the Honorable Mary M. Lisi (2007)
  • CARNEY, SANDOE & ASSOCIATES
    Placement Assistant (2004 – 2006)
  • PHILBRICK & AVERY, LLP
    Intern (2003)

SPECIAL HONORS

  • Recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© for his high caliber work in Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment.
  • Recognized in New England Super Lawyers Magazine as a top rated Employment Litigation attorney
  • Chambers USA Recommended in Labor & Employment
  • AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell Attorney Rating
  • Recognized in Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly as a “Go To Lawyer”
  • Recognized in Rhode Island Monthly for Professional Excellence in Law: Labor and Employment
  • Eagle Scout

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Court Advisory Council, U.S. District Court (D.R.I.)
  • American Bar Association (2006 – Present)
  • Federal Bar Association (2014 – Present)
  • Local Rules Committee: U.S. District Court (D.R.I.) (2011 – 2015)
  • Rhode Island Bar Association (2009 – Present)
  • Federal Bench Bar Committee (2010 – Present)
  • House of Delegates (2012 – 2021)
  • Labor Law and Employment Committee (2011 – Present / Current Chair)
  • Rhode Island Bar Foundation: Fellow (2012 – Present)

CHARITABLE AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

  • Moses Brown Trustees Committee (2017 – 2019)
  • Moses Brown Alumni Association (2000 – Present)
  • Connecticut College Alumni Association (2004 – Present)
  • Boston College Law School Alumni Association (2009 – Present)
  • Director and Past President, Community Boating Center, Providence, RI (2010 – 2018)