C. Matthew "Matt" Keen

C. Matthew "Matt" Keen

Raleigh, NC recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2006
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC

317 Best Lawyers awards

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management Labor Law - Management Litigation - Labor and Employment

Biography

Mr. Keen has practiced labor and employment law in the Raleigh office of Ogletree Deakins since 1987. His practice has included employment litigation in state and federal courts, representing clients before the National Labor Relations Board and advising clients on equal employment opportunity and wage and hour issues. He has successfully litigated cases to defense verdicts in employment discrimination cases. He has also litigated matters involving ERISA, non-competition and trade secrets, workplace injuries and other contract and tort claims. He has successfully represented clients in dozens of labor and employment arbitrations.Mr. Keen has been recognized as a leading labor and employment lawyer by The Best Lawyers in America*, and was named Management Lawyer of the Year in Raleigh by Best Lawyers for 2012.. He has been named in the top tier of the leading employment lawyers in North Carolina by Chambers USA America’s Leading Business Lawyers* since 2006. He has also been recognized by North Carolina Legal Elite* and Super Lawyers*.Mr. Keen has lectured on various employment law topics before business groups and has written articles for legal and employment journals. He contributed to and revises the North Carolina Employers' Desk Manual and also contributed to a treatise on the Americans With Disabilities Act. He is active in the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC

317 Best Lawyers awards

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC logo

Overview

  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., graduated 1987
  • North Carolina State University, BS, graduated 1983

  • North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Association

  • American Bar Association - Member
  • American Employment Law Council - Member
  • Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors - Member
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Member
  • Order of the Coif - Member
  • Raleigh Sports Council Steering Committee - Member
  • The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers - Fellow
  • The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers - Fellow
  • Wake County Bar Association - Member
  • North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Association
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • American Employment Law Council - Member
  • Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors - Member
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Member
  • Order of the Coif - Member
  • Raleigh Sports Council Steering Committee - Member
  • The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers - Fellow
  • The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers - Fellow
  • Wake County Bar Association - Member
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., graduated 1987
  • North Carolina State University, BS, graduated 1983

Client Testimonials

Matt is our "go-to" lawyer for all single plaintiff employment cases. He is extremely client-focused and responsive, with excellent technical expertise and judgment. What really sets Matt apart from other outside counsel we have used, however, is his business acumen. He looks at cases from a client's perspective, both in terms of economics and potential precedential effect. He understands which cases need to be litigated vigorously and which should be settled. It is refreshing to find a lawyer who can be both counselor and business partner.

Kevin Covert (Honeywell International)

Morristown, NJ

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Employment Law - Management
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Labor Law - Management, Raleigh (2025)
  • Labor Law - Management, Raleigh (2023)
  • Labor Law - Management, Raleigh (2020)
  • Labor Law - Management, Raleigh (2017)
  • Labor Law - Management, Raleigh (2014)
  • Employment Law - Management, Raleigh (2012)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Labor Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
Special Focus:
  • Management
Awards:
  • Chief Justice Walter Clark award (given to top 5 in class)
  • Super Lawyer* for North Carolina since 2005
  • Top Tier in Chambers listing of top Labor and Employment attorneys in North Carolina

Case History

Cases
  • Other Court Admissions
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth, Fifth, and Eleventh Circuits
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Significant Verdicts & Decisions Include:
  • Jenkins v. Akzo Nobel Coatings. 4th Circuit affirmed summary judgment on breach of contract and fraud claims filed by expatriate employee.
  • Abdel-Rahman v. BASF. Defense jury verdict in age and national origin discrimination case.
  • Howard v. Cape Industries. 4th Circuit upheld summary judgment on ERISA claims.
  • Holder-Blake v. Duke University. Defense jury verdict in age discrimination case.
  • Kearns v. Duke University. Defense verdict in race discrimination case.
  • Kranz v. Hendrick Automotive Group. North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment on wrongful discharge claim.
  • Chao v. IBM. 4th Circuit affirmed summary judgment on claims of age and national origin discrimination.
  • Allen v. IBM. 4th Circuit affirmed motion to dismiss “Woodson” international injury claim.
  • Coggins et al. v. PSNC Energy. Defense verdict in harassment and hostile work environment claims.

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