Matt Heldt

Labor and employment attorneys Rachel Timmins and Matt Heldt gave an introduction to employment law to an audience of paralegals at the recent annual convention of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). In their presentation, the two attorneys provided an overview of common employment claims relating to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, accommodations, and wage and hour issues.

Tonkon Torp labor and employment attorney Matt Heldt has joined the Emerging Professionals Board at Blanchet House, a nonprofit organization that provides clothing, hygiene items, community, and transitional recovery programs to thousands of people every year.

Tonkon Torp LLP is pleased to welcome two new associates to the firm: Matt Heldt, who joins our Labor & Employment Practice Group, and Lindsay Willson, who will work in our Estate Planning Practice Group.

By Matt Heldt – Washington employers will soon be subject to new, more burdensome rules under recent amendments to the Washington Fair Chance Act. Passed this legislative session, HB 1747 goes into effect on July 1, 2026 for employers with 15 or more employees, and on July 1, 2027 for all Washington employers regardless of size.

By Matt Heldt – This week, the Washington Legislature passed HB 1308, a bill that, if signed into law, will change Washington employer’s responsibilities for personnel file requests. While not yet in effect, the governor will likely sign the bill with no changes, imposing these requirements on Washington employers starting in late July.

By Matt Heldt – The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has spread to seemingly all facets of work and life. One prominent application that has gained popularity both among students and in the workplace is using an “AI Note Taker” to record a meeting (or class) and create summary notes or a transcription for the user. Some AI Note Takers can also send those notes to meeting participants or others.

By Matt Heldt – On January 1, 2025, a new whistleblowing posting requirement (AB 2299) took effect in California. The law does not change preexisting protections for California employees who act as “whistleblowers,” but, instead, imposes a new obligation on employers to proactively inform employees of their rights.

By Matt Heldt – Last April, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a rule increasing the salary threshold for overtime-exempt employees. On November 15, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas set aside and vacated the rule, undoing current and future hurdles for exempt employees to retain exempt status.