Attorney Profile
Matthew J. Behr
Areas of Practice
Contact Info
Overview
Matthew's practice is concentrated in the defense of public entities in the areas of employment law and municipal liability. As well, he defends municipal and county governments, police departments, police officers and school boards in cases relating to civil rights, sexual harassment, age discrimination, race, ethnic, gender and handicap discrimination, and land use issues. Matthew also has vast experience in cases involving retaliation and whistle blowing under state law, and his practice involves both federal and state courts.
Further, Matthew has considerable experience in representing public entities and private entities in matters involving the Fair Housing Act and American with Disabilities Act in federal and state courts and agencies as well as in the Division on Civil Rights and EEOC. He has represented various entities including Homeowners’ Associations in reasonable accommodation and disability discrimination cases and has recently obtained a summary judgment motion on behalf of a HOA involving the issue of emotional support animals.
Clients rely on Matthew to handle their most complex and high-exposure litigation. He has successfully settled numerous cases well below the initial demand, including a high-profile case involving allegations of bullying in a school district that received national attention. He understands the complexity of these cases and how they affect not only the clients, but the carriers as well, from both a litigation and reputational perspective.
Matthew was recently appointed to the District IV Ethics Committee by the New Jersey Supreme Court and will serve a four-year term from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2028.
Matthew received his B.A. in Political Science from The Pennsylvania State University. He earned his juris doctor from Seton Hall School of Law in 1998. Following law school, Matthew served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable George L. Seltzer in Atlantic City.
Matthew joined Marshall Dennehey in 2003, bringing with him considerable employment law experience.
Results
Summary judgment granted in case where employee of a Board of Education brought whistle blowing allegations.
Summary judgment granted in case against general contractor where damages were well in excess of $1 million by showing the contractor had no involvement in the alleged deficient work site.
Summary judgment granted in case where former employee sued police department for discrimination and alleged whistle blowing activities.
Summary judgment granted in case where plaintiff alleged police officers used excessive force where multiple officers shot him numerous times.
Summary judgment granted in case where former employee of Board of Education brought allegations of violations his civil rights when the Board of Education reported to police allegations of improper use of his Board-issued computer.
Thought Leadership
“Police Officers Have a Ministerial Duty to Render Assistance to an Intoxicated Person Involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident and Are Not Immune Under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act,” Defense Digest, Vol. 26, No. 2, June 2020
Legal Updates for New Jersey Public Entity & Civil Rights, regular contributor, 2018-present