Matthew R. Diton | People | Arnold & Porter

Matthew Diton focuses his practice on various labor and employment matters. An experienced litigator in both court and arbitration, Matthew has experience representing employers with respect to claims of trade secret misappropriation, discrimination, wrongful termination, whistleblower, harassment, wage and hour, and other federal and state law claims. His litigation experience extends through all stages of a case, from initial investigation through the final appeal.

In addition to his litigation practice, Matthew maintains an active counseling practice, advising employers on a wide range of everyday employment matters, such as complying with state and federal leave and wage and hour laws, and navigating issues relating to restrictive covenants (including non-competition agreements, non-solicitation agreements, and similar issues relating to employee departures). He has also conducted numerous investigations on a variety of employment matters, including those involving allegations of harassment, discrimination, and similar workplace misconduct.

Matthew graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif from the Duke University School of Law. While in law school, he served as an Articles Editor of Law & Contemporary Problems and interned for Magistrate Judge Joe Webster of the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.

Focus Areas

Experience

Leading provider of medical aesthetic devices in securing a unanimous jury verdict in a non-competition and trade secret case, resulting in an award of over US$25 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
Major electronics manufacturer in lawsuit alleging misappropriation of trade secrets against a former employee, resulting in favorable settlement.
Nationwide financial services firm in arbitration relating to former employee’s alleged misappropriation of trade secrets, resulting in favorable settlement.
International electronics company alleged to have harassed and wrongfully terminated a former employee, securing summary judgment in federal court.
Major California agricultural company alleged to have failed to pay minimum and overtime wages, securing summary adjudication in state court and successfully defending judgment on appeal.

Major software company alleged to have improperly paid commissions under a sales compensation plan, securing summary judgment in federal court.
International law firm alleged to have breached its fiduciary duties to a former associate under ERISA, securing summary judgment in federal court.
Bay Area investment management firm alleged to have breached its partnership agreement, successfully compelling arbitration and obtaining dismissal of the federal court action.
Professional sports team in a series of wage and hour class actions brought by the team's cheerleaders.