Matthew M. Swift

Matthew M. Swift

Matthew M. Swift is a member of the labor and employment practice group. He counsels employers in various aspects of employment law, such as employee discipline, employment contracts, wage and hour laws, and employment discrimination matters under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Illinois Human Rights Act, Title VII, and other federal and state anti-discrimination laws. He also helps clients with labor relations matters such as grievances and traditional and interest-based collective bargaining. 

Matthew also frequently advises on legal issues that are unique to public-sector clients and educational institutions, including compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, the Open Meetings Act, the First Amendment, and Title IX. He works with clients on some of their most complex FOIA requests and board governance questions.

Before moving to Chicago for law school or attending college in Texas, Matthew grew up in a California mountain town, about a 20-minute drive from the nearest stoplight. He loves life in the big city—especially the museums and great food—but his more folksy roots still occasionally make an appearance.

Matthew has a soft spot for alliteration thanks to a family tradition—each Swift family member’s first initial matches their middle initial. He enjoys when his work requires careful interpretation or choosing precise language, and he always appreciates a clever turn of phrase.

Education

• J.D., University of Chicago Law School
• M.P.P., University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy
• B.B.A., summa cum laude, Baylor University

Admitted to Practice

• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• Supreme Court of Illinois

Organizations

• Chicago Bar Association

Recent Publications

• Contributing author, “Employee Discrimination,” Illinois School Law, IICLE (2024)
• “All Together Now – Employment Law Issues in the New Title IX Rules,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (2020)

Recent Presentations

• Beyond the Redaction Marker: Tools and Strategies for Managing Difficult FOIA Requests, Large Unit District Association Communications Conference (December 2023)
• The Open Meetings Act: FAQs and Answers, Community College Trustee Professional Development Training, Illinois Community College Trustee Association Annual Conference (June 2023)
• Turning over a New Leave: Paid Leaves and Paycheck Protection under HB 1167, ED-RED Member Meeting (April 2022)
• Red Light, Green Light? Responding to Recent Decisions about COVID-19 Mitigations, ED-RED Virtual Member Meeting (February 2022)