Matthew G. Sease is a highly accomplished trial and appellate attorney with a depth of experience and many successes in high‑stakes litigation. Matt has tried 25 jury trials and numerous bench trials across Iowa and in federal courts, achieving not‑guilty verdicts, multimillion‑dollar civil awards, complete defense verdicts, and significant wins in complex commercial, criminal, probate, and construction matters. His broad litigation experience, representing both plaintiffs and defendants, spans everything from first‑degree murder to multimillion‑dollar business disputes, reflecting a rare versatility and command of the courtroom.
Matt’s appellate practice is equally distinguished. He has handled over 70 appeals and has delivered over 30 oral arguments before the Iowa Supreme Court, Iowa Court of Appeals, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals—often in cases involving issues of first impression or significant statewide importance. His ability to distill complex legal questions and advocate effectively at the appellate level has repeatedly led to reversals, precedent‑setting rulings, and favorable outcomes for his clients.
Widely recognized by his peers, Matt is a member of several invitation‑only organizations, including the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Iowa Academy of Trial Attorneys—honors reserved for a small percentage of attorneys statewide. He has also been selected to Super Lawyers and named to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.. No matter the case, Matt is known for his meticulous preparation, strategic insight, and unwavering advocacy, providing clients with clarity, confidence, and results when the stakes are highest.
Pro-Bono Activities
Appellate Practice Committee
Jury Instruction Committee
Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project
Published Works
What’s That Smell: Septic Systems and Iowa’s Time of Transfer Law, Note, Drake Journal of Agricultural Law, Vol. 16, No. 2, 2011
Honors
Robert J. Kromminga Award
Supreme Court Day Oral Argument Finalist
Order of the Barristers
Intellectual Property Moot Court Team
Capitan National Moot Court Team
Vice President Moot Court Board
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
America’s Top 100 Attorneys
National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys Top 10 Under 40 (Iowa)
SuperLawyers Great Plains Rising Stars
Published Cases
Estate of Pepper v. Whitehead, 686 F.3d 658 (8th Cir. 2012)
Oldcastle APG West, Inc. v. Grove Masonry, Inc., 865 N.W.2d 270 (Iowa App. 2014)
NuStar Farms, LLC v. Zylstra, et al., 880 N.W.2d 478 (Iowa 2016)
State v. Dahl, 874 N.W.2d 348 (Iowa 2016)
In re Marriage of Erpelding, 917 N.W.2d 235 (Iowa 2018)
State v. Harrison, 914 N.W.2d 178 (Iowa 2018)
Reed, et al v. Charles Palmer 906 F.3d 540 (7th Cir. 2018)
In re Marriage of Mann, 943 N.W.2d 15 (Iowa 2020)
Estate of West v. Domina, 981 F.3d 652 (8th Cir. 2020)
Poller v. Okoboji Classic Cars, 960 N.W.2d 496 (Iowa 2021)
Hoffman v. Clark, 975 N.W.2d 656 (Iowa 2022)
In re Marriage of Towne, 966 N.W.2d 668 (Iowa Ct. App. 2021)
McNeal v. Wapello County, 985 N.W.2d 484 (Iowa 2023)
State v. Boone, 989 N.W.2d 645 (Iowa 2023)
Iowa Attorney Disciplinary Board v. Neff, 5 N.W.3d 296 (Iowa 2024)
