About Us
The Ruggles Law Firm values every client. Matt Ruggles has helped hundreds of people with their employment law needs.
Matthew J. Ruggles
30+ Years of Employment Litigation Experience
Learn About Matt Ruggles
My practice is now and always has been devoted exclusively and completely to labor and employment law. I have deep and relevant experience in all aspects of an employee’s interaction with the legal system: at the job level, administrative agency level, lawsuit level, appellate level, state court level, and federal court level. I’ve been lead counsel on hundreds of lawsuits spanning the State of California; for the first 23 years as a defense attorney getting corporations off the hook; and since 2016, as an enthusiastic advocate for employees who have experienced injustice at work.
Based on my defense experience, I do not need to “guess” what a large employer or defense firm might do to defend a lawsuit – I defended lawsuits for decades for the biggest corporations on Earth and won almost everything. I know all the defense tricks, all the defense tactics, the pitfalls, and most importantly the opportunities that litigation can provide.
I litigate because I am determined to prove repeatedly that my clients are right on the facts and right on the law. Through delivering superior legal services to each client, we can level the playing field and collectively overcome the challenging and often bewildering landscape that litigation presents, especially for individuals who lack the resources of the corporation that has wronged them. I will use my passion, my enthusiasm, and all my training and experience to evaluate, prosecute, and maximize your claim.
Matthew J Ruggles
Matt’s Legal Experience
EDUCATION
University of California, Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Graduated June 1994
Assistant Editor, COMM/ENT Law Journal
Member, Moot Court Board
University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor of Arts in American History (B.A.)
Graduated June 1991, magna cum laude
California State Bar
Admitted December 1994
LAW PRACTICE EXPERIENCE
Ruggles Law Firm
Sacramento, CA
2016 – Present
Principal
Litigation practice devoted exclusively to representing California employees in Employment and Wage Law in state and federal courts.
Littler Mendelson
SACRAMENTO, CA
2001 – 2015
Equity Partner: 2005 – 2015
Senior Associate: 2001 – 2005
Supervised single-plaintiff lawsuits as well as complex litigation including wage and hour class actions, PAGA claims, and all other forms of legal claims that arise from employment, including lawsuits for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination based on age, gender, religion, disability, etc. Developed an expertise in civil procedure in both state and federal courts including summary disposition of claims and arbitration issues. Jury experience in both state and federal courts and significant experience in arbitrations and administrative hearings. Maintained an exemplary record of quickly and effectively resolving lawsuits.
- Litigated hundreds of lawsuits for Fortune 100 companies including Apple, Inc., American Airlines Inc., Waste Management, Inc., Dignity Health, and countless other large and small corporate clients.
- Lead counsel in 70+ administrative trials, dozens of arbitrations, and multiple jury trials in state and federal court.
Epstein Becker & Green
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
November 1999 – January 2001
Litigated management-side employment and labor law in state and federal court.
Pahl & Gosselin
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
1997 – 1999
Associate Attorney
Worked as an associate attorney under Tom Gosselin in his San Francisco office litigating management-side labor and employment law in state and federal court.
Thierman Law Firm
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
1993 – 1997
Associate Attorney
Worked for attorney Mark Thierman during law school, and several years immediately afterwards litigating management-side labor and employment law in state and federal court.
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THE RUGGLES LAW FIRM SERVES EMPLOYEES IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND BEYOND
Matt Ruggles proudly helps residents of the following areas. If you live in one of the following areas, the Ruggles Law Firm can help you with your workplace harassment, discrimination, or wage dispute.
Sacramento:
Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, Yuba City, Marysville, Davis, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, and more!
San Francisco:
Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Oakland, Concord, Burlingame, San Raphael, and more!
San Jose:
Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Redwood City, Cupertino, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Mountain View, and more!