Matthew B. Thiel

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Matthew B. Thiel: Attorney with Thiel Law Office, PLLC
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

Matthew Thiel was born in Dillon, Montana, where his parents worked on his grandparents’ ranch. Matt’s family moved to Helena, Montana in 1968, where he attended public schools and graduated from Capital High School. Matt received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Montana with honors in 1986. He then worked for the Montana Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO from 1987 to 1990 in Helena, before returning to Missoula to begin Law School. Matt graduated from the University of Montana School of Law with honors in 1993, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. He began his private practice in Missoula as a sole practitioner, focusing on general practice. He was a Partner of the law firm of Smith & Thiel from 1995 to 2006. Matt has been awarded a "B-V" rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the leading national attorney rating service. He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2014-2020) in the practice areas of Employee Benefits law, Employment law – Individuals, and Labor Law – Union.

Matt is an appointed member of the Montana Facility Finance Authority and the ABA Standing Committee on Membership. He also serves on the UM Montana Museum of Art and Culture Collections Committee. He has been an elected Trustee to the Montana State Bar and served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the State Bar. Matt served as the President of the State Bar in 2015-2016. Matt also served as a member of the State Bar's delegation to Cuba in 2013 and to London in 2015.

REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS

• American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO

• Laborers International Union of America, Local 1686, AFL-CIO

• International Union of Elevator Constructors, AFL-CIO

• United Food and Commercial Workers, AFL-CIO

• UNITE HERE!, Local Union 427, AFL-CIO

• SEIU Healthcare NW 775, AFL-CIO

• Good Food Store, Missoula, MT

• Missoula Community Access Television (MCAT)

MEMBERSHIPS

• Academy of Trial Advocacy

• American Association for Justice

• Montana Trial Lawyers Association

• American Bar Association

• State Bar of Montana

• Western Montana Bar Association

• American Bar Foundation Sustaining Life Fellow

• ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law
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Areas of Practice (10)

  • Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
  • Labor Law
  • Employment Law
  • Business Consultation
  • Insurance Bad Faith
  • Government Relations
  • Estate Administration and Litigation
  • Estate Planning
  • Guardianship/ Conservatorship
  • Sexual Abuse

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
University of Montana, B.A., with honors, 1986
Law School Attended:
University of Montana, J.D., with honors, 1993
Year of First Admission:
1993
Admission:
1993, Montana; 1993, U.S. District Court, District of Montana; U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Birth Information:
Dillon, Montana, October 30, 1963
ISLN:
910189901

Peer Reviews

4.8/5.0 (29 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    4.8/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    4.8/5.0

  • Judgment

    4.8/5.0

  • Communication

    4.8/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.8/5.0

  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 05/27/25 in Debtor and Creditor

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Founder on 05/26/25 in Labor and Employment

    Mr. Thiel is a very conscientious and hard working lawyer. He takes very seriously his ethical duty to his clients, always working to achieve what is in their best interest. His honesty and integrity are a credit to our profession. When Mr. Theil... Read more

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 05/24/25 in Guardianship and Conservatorship

    I have worked with Matt on guardianship matters and have referred employment law matter to him and have always found him to do an excellent job.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 05/24/25 in Labor and Employment

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Director on 05/21/25 in Labor and Employment

    I’ve watched Matt directly in private practice and I’ve reviewed his work as general counsel. He is an outstanding attorney with the highest ethical standards. He is very highly regarded, not only by his peers, but by the judiciary and the bar in Mon... Read more

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Managing Partner on 05/16/25 in Litigation

    I have come to know Matt in both litigation and service capacities. He is amazing. He is so dedicated to his cause, whatever that may be and he is a great advocate. He is so knowledgeable and smooth that you forget that you originally wanted to di... Read more

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Senior Attorney on 05/14/25 in Labor and Employment

    Matt is a very industrious, intelligent and conscientious advocate for his clients, and supremely professional in his interactions with adversaries, colleagues and tribunals.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Associate Counsel on 05/14/25 in Litigation

    I worked with Matt on a group of complex litigation cases that took over ten years to litigate. The legal issues were difficult and opposing counsel was fierce. Matt maintained his high ethical and professional standards throughout the cases. His ana... Read more

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Managing Partner on 05/10/25 in Trusts and Estates

    Intelligent, thoughtful, and a clear subject matter expert.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 05/09/25 in Trusts and Estates

    Matt is always professional and thoughtful to work with. He is a problem solver and provides practical, well thought out solutions, while still advocating for his clients.

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Other Legal Directories

Avvo Client Review
5.0/5.0 (8 reviews)

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Location

Contact Matthew B. Thiel

Contact Information:

406-540-1246  Phone

www.thiellaw.com/attorneys

www.thiellaw.com/attorneys

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