Services & Industries
Education
J.D., magna cum laude, Lewis & Clark Law School, 2023
B.A., Sociology and Criminology & Law Studies, 2019
Bar & Court Admissions
Oregon State Bar
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
Matt is an associate in Tonkon Torp’s Labor & Employment Practice Group where he works on litigation matters and offers employers strategy and advice on labor relations, labor law compliance, and employment issues. Matt works closely with clients to find practical solutions to their employment-related needs; when litigation becomes necessary, he strives to favorably resolve matters with efficiency, creativity, and practicality.
Matt is valued for his passionate commitment to his clients and work, his level-headedness in all situations, and his impressive attention to detail.
Matt is a magna cum laude graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School, where he was a member of the Cornelius Honor Society, received the Dan Polkow award for excellence in admissions volunteering, and served on the Lewis & Clark Law Review as Lead Article Editor. During law school, Matt worked as a Summer Associate at Tonkon Torp and as a Judicial Extern for the Hon. Michael H. Simon at the U.S. District Court, District of Oregon.
Matt received a double major in Sociology and Criminology & Law Studies from Marquette University, where he also minored in Political Science and played college basketball. Matt was team captain his junior and senior year at Marquette and twice competed in the NCAA Tournament. Matt’s sport background taught him the importance of being a team player and giving his all to the work and people that inspire him.
In his free time, Matt likes to refresh himself in nature, be it through hiking, biking, snowboarding, or just being outside. He is an avid reader which helps get him through the rainy seasons.
Community Involvement & Activities
Blanchet House
Emerging Professionals Board
Professional Memberships
Multnomah Bar Association
Recent News
Rachel Timmins and Matt Heldt Give Employment Law Introduction to Paralegal Association
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.
Matt Heldt Joins Blanchet House Emerging Professionals Board
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 Welcomes New Associates Matt Heldt and Lindsay Willson
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.
Recent Publications
DOL Overtime-Exempt Rule Vacated: Next Steps for Employers
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.
California Employers Must Offer Expanded Protections for Crime Victims and Their Families in 2025
By Matt Heldt – Starting January 1, 2025, California employees impacted by violent crime will have additional protections. Assembly Bill 2499 (AB 2499) was signed in September and amends several California statutes to provide greater protection for individuals impacted by crime, including, most relevant to employers, the Fair Employment and Housing Act and the California Labor Code.
Texas Court Strikes Down FTC Rule Banning Noncompetition Agreements Weeks Before Enforcement
By Jordan Jeter and Matt Heldt – On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas struck down the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) final rule banning most noncompetition agreements. The FTC was set to start enforcing the rule on September 4, 2024, but now cannot.
Oregon Health Care Market Oversight Program Creates Hurdle for Healthcare Transactions
By Matt Heldt, Christopher Pallanch, Maureen McGee & Rocky Dallum – Healthcare organizations be warned: entities that operate, own, or are closely related to a health care provider with any presence in Oregon may need to seek approval from the State before completing any merger, acquisition, clinical affiliation, or other similar transaction. Since March 1, 2022, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), through the Health Care Market Oversight (HCMO) program, has exerted influence over transactions involving at least one healthcare entity with a presence in Oregon.
DOL Raises Overtime-Exempt Salary Threshold
By Matt Heldt – The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor recently released a rule that prospectively changes the salary threshold for exempt executive, administrative, and professional employees. Although not immediately effective, the new rule stands to dramatically increase exempt salary threshold requirements.
Publications & Presentations
“Texas Court Strikes Down FTC Rule Banning Noncompetition Agreements Weeks Before Enforcement,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, August 2024
“Oregon Health Care Market Oversight Program Creates Hurdle for Healthcare Transactions,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, June 2024
“DOL Raises Overtime-Exempt Salary Threshold,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, April 2024
“FTC Publishes Rule to Ban Most Noncompete Agreements,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, April 2024
“More than the Minimum: Why States Should Enact Better FMLA Equivalents,” Lewis & Clark Law Review, Vol 27.1, Spring 2023