Matthew D. Blake
Suite 3700
Des Moines, IA 50309
ANTOINETTE WATSON: (LEGAL ASSISTANT)
awatson@dickinsonbradshaw.com
515.246.5896
Introduction
With an extensive background serving as the General Counsel to the Association of REALTORS, Attorney Matt Blake has a practice that specializes in real estate and land use matters, including residential and commercial brokerage work. He also advises business clients in a variety of related areas including construction, contracts and agreements, business law, licensing and administrative law, municipal law, and emerging technology issues.
Matt also worked in government relations at the Iowa Capitol for several years representing aging service providers. In this role he gained extensive knowledge of Iowa’s regulatory and administrative law system and helps clients navigate the complexities of the administrative law process.
As an active military Officer of the Iowa Army National Guard, Matt has covered a wide range of legal matters over the past 6 years serving as a Judge Advocate (JAG). In his practice at Dickinson Bradshaw, he uses this valuable experience to counsel clients on USERRA, SCRA, and other military leave matters.
Matt was a member of the Urbandale City Council from 2019 to 2023 and is running for a seat in the Iowa State Senate in 2024.
Practice Areas
Education & Background
Education
- J.D., Drake University Law School (Legislative Certificate, with Honors)
- B.S., History and Political Science, University of South Dakota (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa)
Prior Experience
- General Counsel, Iowa Association of REALTORS, 2022-2023
- City Council Member, City of Urbandale, 2019-2023
- Judge Advocate (JAG), Iowa Army National Guard, 2017-Present
- Director of Government Relations, LeadingAge Iowa, 2015-2022
- Legal Intern/Clerk, Iowa State Legislature, Senator Robert Dvorsky, Spring 2014 & 2015
- Environmental Policy Intern, Iowa League of Cities, 2013-2014
- Legal Intern, Iowa Title Guaranty, 2013-2014
Honors & Awards
- Selected for the 2019 Forty Under 40, Des Moines Business Record
Jurisdictions
Admitted to practice in the following states:
- Iowa
Military Service
- Iowa Army National Guard, Judge Advocate (JAG), 2017-Present
- Deputy Command Judge Advocate for the 734th Regional Support Group while deployed to Kuwait and Iraq from January through November, 2021
Memberships & Activities
- Iowa State Bar Association
- Council Member, Urbandale City Council, 2019-2023
- Board Member, Metro Waste Authority, 2022-2023
- Board Member, Bravo Greater Des Moines, 2022-2023
- Past President, Urbandale 4th of July Celebration, 2019-Present
- Commissioner, Urbandale Civil Rights Commission, 2017-2019
- Board Member, Young Variety, 2016-2019
- Board Member, Young Professional Connection, 2016-2017
Articles, Presentations, and Publications
- Featured, Attorney Matthew Blake Joins Dickinson Bradshaw, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, February 21, 2024
- Author, "Deployed Law: Iowa Attorney Faces Unique Challenges and Growth Opportunities While Deployed," Iowa Lawyer, February 2022
