Matthew J. Connell is a Partner in the firm’s Philadelphia and New Jersey offices. A tireless champion of his clients, Mr. Connell has tried over 100 criminal and civil cases to verdict in state and federal court. Additionally, he routinely handles all phases of appellate advocacy having extensively briefed and argued cases in the appellate courts of Pennsylvania and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Mr. Connell concentrates his practice in Labor and Employment Law, Community and Homeowners Associations, Professional Liability, Construction and Design Law, Directors and Officers Liability, General and Commercial Liability, Municipal Liability, Civil Rights, and Administrative Law.
Mr. Connell’s passion for helping employers and his thorough understanding of their needs should come as no surprise as his undergrad major was in Human Resources Administration. Throughout his career, Mr. Connell has represented public/private employers and insurers in a variety of employment claims, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, ERISA, PHRA, NJ LAD, NJ CEPA, NLRA, OSHA, Wage & Hour. He has successfully defended employment matters in front of the Pennsylvania State Civil Service Commission, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Having litigated almost every type of employment related matter in the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Mr. Connell is an invaluable advisor and general counselor to employers. He regularly advises clients on responding to employee complaints, conducting internal investigations, and handling employee hirings and terminations. He also assists employers in drafting employee contracts and employee handbooks.
Moreover, Mr. Connell is well-versed in the risks that medical marijuana laws present to Pennsylvania employers. He helps employers update workplace policies and counsels them on responding to employees who hold medical marijuana cards. Additionally, he regularly hosts lectures for HR Directors on medical marijuana compliance. Mr. Connell is not only knowledgeable about Pennsylvania’s current marijuana laws, but he is also prepared for future medical marijuana legislation; as a member of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce subcommittee on Medical Marijuana, Mr. Connell is assisting in writing an amended medical marijuana law for Pennsylvania.
With decades of experience handling municipal liability, administrative law, and defense of civil rights claims, Mr. Connell is an invaluable resource for public entities. He has extensive litigation experience defending government officials, municipalities, prisons, school districts, police, and correctional officers having tried several cases to verdict in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies of Pennsylvania.
In addition to his trial work, Mr. Connell routinely presents seminars and trainings to public agencies and governmental entities in the areas of municipal liability, civil rights, prison liability, and all aspects of employment law. He consults with public entities on the development of policies and procedures and provides advice and guidance to employers concerning employment-related matters.
Mr. Connell has litigated matters involving board elections, contract disputes, and disagreements between homeowners and community association boards. In connection with this area, Mr. Connell has been successful in defending claims seeking injunctive relief. He has litigated matters before both administrative agencies and in state and federal court, including actions involving fair housing, statutory compliance, and virtually all other areas of community association litigation.
A mainstay on the Super Lawyers list, Mr. Connell also specializes in defending professional liability claims. These professionals include lawyers, accountants, architects, engineers, insurance agents, brokers, title agents, real estate agents and home inspectors.
Throughout his career, Mr. Connell has gained considerable experience in representing property owners and others who are involved in lawsuits alleging that defective or dangerous conditions led to personal injuries. He has defended cases involving property owners, businesses, general contractors, and retail stores against claims of personal injury and property damage. Mr. Connell has experience litigating premises liability claims, including dangerous conditions, hazardous conditions, premises liability, slip and fall, uncleared snow and ice, and uneven pavement.
Areas of Practice
- Labor and Employment Law
- Community/Homeowners Associations
- Construction and Design Law
- Professional Liability
- Directors & Officers Liability
- Public Entity Liability and Representation
- Municipal Liability
- Civil Rights
- Administrative Law
- General Liability
Bar Admissions
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Education
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- Widener University School of Law, J.D., 1997
- Moot Court Honor Society
- Temple University, Bachelor of Business Administration, 1993
- Major: Human Resources Administration/Legal Studies
- Widener University School of Law, J.D., 1997
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Chester County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce
- Employment Practices Sub-Committee
- Medical Marijuana Sub-Committee
Past Employment Positions
- Founding Partner, MacMain, Connell & Leinhauser, LLC, West Chester, PA
- Of Counsel, Lamb McErlane, PC, West Chester, PA
- Associate Attorney, Holsten & Associates, Media, PA
- Assistant District Attorney, Civil Forfeiture Unit, Chester County District Attorney’s Office, West Chester, PA