Matthew S Jarka
Asher Gittler & D'Alba Ltd.
Matt Jarka is a dynamic labor and employment associate attorney with the firm, specializing in representing and defending public and private sector union workers. He is experienced in interest and grievance arbitration, contract negotiations, unfair labor practices, and contract enforcement. Matt also serves individual clients in employment rights, employment discrimination, and wage and hour matters. Matt practices in state and federal courts, and before the Illinois Labor Relations Board, the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Labor, and various civil service boards.
Additionally, Matt brings extensive trade union experience to the firm with over twenty years of service as a firefighter and paramedic with the Park Ridge Fire Department where he earned promotion to Lieutenant and served for many years as president of IAFF Local #2697.
Matt received a B.A. in Labor Studies from the National Labor College and earned his Juris Doctor from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he earned an additional Certificate in Labor and Employment Law from the Institute for Law and the Workplace. While at Chicago-Kent, Matt competed nationally as a member of the Moot Court Appellate Advocacy team. He also served as a student editor for the Employee Rights and Employment Policy Journal and a research and writing assistant to Professor Martin Malin. During his law school academic career, Matt received six CALI Excellence for the Future honors, awarded for receiving the highest class grade, including for Labor studies classes. Matt served as the Vice-President of the Labor and Employment Society and was also appointed to an externship with Judge James Zagel in Federal District Court.
Matt is a member of the American Bar Association, serving on the YLD committee for Labor and Employment. He is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association.
