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Matthew P. Pappas

Matt is a principal of Pappas Wright P.C. He is a recognized professional who is awarded the highest rating (AV) from Martindale-Hubbell for legal ability and ethics.

Focus

Management labor, employment matters and litigation

Clientele

Private and public sector clients including local and national corporations, colleges and school districts, hospitals, medical corporations, and banks

Experience

Litigating complex employment disputes, including class actions in federal and state courts

Guiding Public entities through the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act

Designing and drafting complex executive compensation and severance packages

Establishing client employment policies and procedures

Conducting compliance reviews and assisting;in preparation of employee handbooks and other materials

Negotiating collective bargaining issues

Assisting clients on hiring, reduction in force, plant closures, noncompetes, and trade secret matters

Advising employers concerning labor relations

Counseling and representation in litigation regarding federal, state and local statutes and regulations

Training including Corporate Governance, violence in the workplace, harassment, Affordable Care Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act

Education

Valparaiso University (J.D.)

University of Illinois (B.A.)​

Labor & Employment Organizations

American Employment Law Council

Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America

Illinois Council of School Attorneys

Management Labor and Employment Roundtable

National Association of College and University Attorneys

National Public Employer Labor Relations Association

  • Illinois Public Employer Labor Relations Association
  • Iowa Public Employer Labor Relations Association

Member

Great River Human Resource Association 1994 to Present

  • President 1998
  • Vice President 1997
  • Treasurer 1996
  • Legislative Chair 1999-2000
  • Illinois Legislative Chair 2003

Society for Human Resource Management 1994-Present

  • Member, Iowa State Council 1998
  • Member of the Wage & Hour Defense Institute 2019 -Presen

Bar Admissions

State Courts

Illinois, Iowa

Federal Courts

United States Court of Appeal for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits

United States District Court for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois

United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa​

Civic Activities

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation – Board of Directors 2017 – Present

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley – Board of Directors 2014 – Present

  • Vice-President 2017
  • President 2018 – present

The Center for Active Seniors – Board of Directors 2017- Present

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Illinois – Board of Directors 1991-1994

Development Association of Rock Island

Executive Committee, Development Association of Rock Island 1999-2007

Martin Luther King Jr. Center – Board of Directors 1999-2014

Rock Island Youth Football – Coach 1994-1997

St. George Greek Orthodox Church

  • Board Member 1995-2004
  • Board Vice-President 1998
  • Board President 1999-2001

United States War College – Certificate of Leader Development – 2014

United Way of the Quad Cities Area – Board of Directors 2006-2008

USO of Illinois – Rock Island Advisory Committee 2014 – present

Bar Associations

Member

Rock Island County (Illinois)

Scott County (Iowa)

Illinois Bar Association

  • Section Council: Labor and Employment Law (1995-1998)
  • Member: Labor and Employment Law Section

Iowa Bar Association

  • Member: Labor and Employment Law Section
    American Bar Association
  • Member: Labor and Employment Law and Litigation sections

Federal Bar Association

  • Member : 7th Circuit; Labor and Employment Law Sections

Contract Advisor

National Football League Players Association 1989-1995​