Matthew G. Sease - Des Moines, IA
Attorney at Sease & Wadding
Trial Law Lawyers in Des Moines, IA
104 SW 4th Street Suite A, Rumely Building Des Moines, IA 50309
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
16
Years
Experience
Des Moines Trial Law Lawyer
Updated: 05/07/2026
Areas of Practice
- Trial Law
- Appeals
- Construction
- Personal Injury
- Criminal Defense
Attorney Information
Overview
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.
Awards and Honors
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
Other Sources of Feedback About Matthew G. Sease
Included on the 2026 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2024 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2019 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Drake University Law School,
Des Moines,
Iowa, 2010
J.D.
Honors: Honors
-
Drake University Law School,
Des Moines,
Iowa, 2010
-
Non Legal Education
-
Drake University, B.S., 2005, 2005
B.S.
Honors: Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society
Major: Biology
-
Drake University, B.S., 2005, 2005
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Partner
Pro Bono Activities
- Appellate Practice Committee
- Jury Instruction Committee
- Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project
Representative Cases
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Estate of Pepper v. Whitehead, 686 F.3d 658 (8th Cir. 2012)
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Oldcastle APG West, Inc. v. Grove Masonry, Inc., 865 N.W.2d 270 (Iowa App. 2014)
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NuStar Farms, LLC v. Zylstra, et al., 880 N.W.2d 478 (Iowa 2016)
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State v. Dahl, 874 N.W.2d 348 (Iowa 2016)
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In re Marriage of Erpelding, 917 N.W.2d 235 (Iowa 2018)
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State v. Harrison, 914 N.W.2d 178 (Iowa 2018)
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Reed, et al v. Charles Palmer 906 F.3d 540 (7th Cir. 2018)
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In re Marriage of Mann, 943 N.W.2d 15 (Iowa 2020)
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Estate of West v. Domina, 981 F.3d 652 (8th Cir. 2020)
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Poller v. Okoboji Classic Cars, 960 N.W.2d 496 (Iowa 2021)
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Hoffman v. Clark, 975 N.W.2d 656 (Iowa 2022)
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In re Marriage of Towne, 966 N.W.2d 668 (Iowa Ct. App. 2021)
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McNeal v. Wapello County, 985 N.W.2d 484 (Iowa 2023)
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State v. Boone, 989 N.W.2d 645 (Iowa 2023)
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Iowa Attorney Disciplinary Board v. Neff, 5 N.W.3d 296 (Iowa 2024)
Published Works
Articles
-
What’s That Smell: Septic Systems and Iowa’s Time of Transfer Law, Note, Drake Journal of Agricultural Law, Vol. 16, No. 2, 2011
Bar Admissions
- Iowa, 2010
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 2010
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 2010
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2011
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2018
Specialties and Certifications
- Litigation and Dispute Resolution Certificate, Drake University Law School, 2010
- Constitutional Law And Civil Rights Certificate, Drake University Law School, 2010
Other Affiliations
- American College of Trial Lawyers
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Iowa Academy of Trial Attorneys
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- America’s Top 100 Attorneys Lifetime Achievement Award
- National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys Top 10 Under 40 Award
- SuperLawyers, 2021 - Present
- SuperLawyers Rising Star, 2017 - 2020
- Iowa Bar Association
- Blackstone Inn of Court (former)
- Lincoln Inn of Court
- Polk County Bar Association
- Iowa Bar Association Jury Instruction Committee
- Iowa Bar Association General Practice Council Member
- Iowa Bar Association Federal Practice Committee
- Iowa Bar Association Construction Council
- Iowa Bar Association Young Lawyers Division
- Drake Law School Board of Counselors, 2011 - 2017
Contact
104 SW 4th Street
Suite A, Rumely Building
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515-883-2222
Email: Send a message
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