Matthew Ruza is a nationally recognized wage and hour litigator who represents employers across the country in high-stakes collective and class action matters. He regularly defends complex, multi-jurisdictional cases in federal and state courts, with a particular focus on claims arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and analogous state laws. Matthew is known for developing strategic, business-oriented defenses that position clients for early resolution where possible and trial success where necessary.
Matthew’s practice is centered on wage and hour litigation, where he has extensive experience defeating certification, narrowing claims, and managing large-scale, bet-the-company disputes. He regularly handles matters involving alleged misclassification of exempt and non-exempt employees; unpaid overtime claims; off-the-clock, preliminary and postliminary work allegations; meal and rest break issues; and independent contractor misclassification. His work spans a wide range of industries, reflecting a deep understanding of the operational realities that drive wage and hour risk.
In addition to his litigation practice, Matthew is a trusted advisor to employers on all employment related issues, including complex wage and hour compliance issues, but also issues involving Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, and the FMLA, as well as restrictive covenant, trade secret, breach of fiduciary duty, and contract disputes. His approach integrates litigation insight with practical, forward-looking advice.
Matthew earned his degree from the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology, where he focused on sport management and served as a student assistant for the University of Michigan football team—an experience that continues to shape his team-oriented, results-driven approach to client service.