Matt
Denning

Attorney

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Bar Admissions

2016

State of Iowa

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa

Favorite Movie

"The Shawshank Redemption"

Favorite Book

"The Innocent Man", John Grisham

Memberships

Iowa State Bar Association

Iowa Association for Justice

Education

2016

Drake University Law School
Des Moines, Iowa
Juris Doctor with Honors

2013

Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa
Bachelor of Science Degree in Business
Major: Accounting

Favorite Teams

Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Cubs
Iowa Hawkeyes

Favorable Outcomes

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Matt's Favorable Outcomes
    • $1,250,000 settlement recovery for client involved in a motor vehicle collision.
    • $632,986 verdict following jury trial for a client’s disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and retaliation claims against the City of Des Moines.
    • $435,000 settlement recovery for client involved in a motor vehicle collision.
    • $280,000 verdict following jury trial for a client’s bad-faith claim against his former employer.  The client was previously employed as a truck driver and resided in Alabama.  After sustaining an injury at work, the client’s former employer required the client to travel from Alabama to Iowa for light-duty work and medical treatment.  A lawsuit was filed against the former employer alleging that it had handled the client’s workers’ compensation claim in bad-faith by failing to provide reasonable medical treatment and light-duty work.  The jury returned a favorable verdict on these claims and in addition to awarding emotional distress damages, awarded punitive damages based on the former employer’s conduct.
    • $404,061.41 verdict following jury trial for client’s personal injury claim arising out of a rear-end collision by an uninsured motorist.
    • Favorable resolution of client’s failure to accommodate and wrongful termination claims following his termination from Defendant employer after reporting a workplace injury and requesting reasonable accommodation for his resulting disability.
    • $305,000 settlement recovery for client involved in a motor vehicle collision.
    • $100,000 bad-faith claim settlement with insurance company arising out of its unreasonable delay in authorizing client’s medical care for his workers’ compensation case.
    • Favorable settlement of client’s workers’ compensation claim which equated to more than 55% industrial disability (>275-weeks of benefits), plus Defendant employer agreed to pay for client’s expenses related to his medical treatment.
    • $152,500 settlement recovery for on-duty Sheriff’s deputy who was involved in a motor vehicle collision; an additional $60,000 was recovered for client’s workers’ compensation claim.
    • Favorable resolution of client’s employment discrimination and constructive discharge claims arising out of Defendant employer’s failure to address client’s reports of hostile work environment based on client’s race.
    • $100,000 policy-limits recovery for client involved in a rear-end motor vehicle collision.
    • Favorable judgment following hearing on client’s unpaid wage claim. Defendant employer was ordered to pay client’s unpaid wages plus liquidated damages for its intentional withholding. Defendant employer also ordered to pay for client’s attorneys’ fees and court costs. Defendant employer appealed this judgment to District Court.
    • Favorable District Court appeal decision following both oral and written argument. District Court further ordered that Defendant employer was required to pay client’s appellate attorneys’ fees in addition to amount awarded in original judgment.
    • $135,000 settlement recovery for client involved in a motor vehicle collision.
    • Favorable resolution of client’s wrongful termination claim following her termination from Defendant employer after reporting a workplace injury.
    • Favorable verdict following jury trial for client’s personal injury claim arising out of a motor vehicle collision. The issues of which driver was responsible for causing the collision and client’s pre-existing medical conditions were fiercely contested by defense attorney at trial.

Matt was born in Des Moines, Iowa on March 7, 1992. He grew up in Ankeny, Iowa, and after graduating high school attended Drake University. While at Drake, Matt studied accounting at the College of Business, and enjoyed working at EMC Insurance and Wells Fargo during summer internships. In May 2013, Matt earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Drake University. Throughout his time at Drake, Matt knew that he wanted to study law and one day be able to advocate for clients in a courtroom. After graduating from Drake in May 2013, that dream got one step closer to reality when Matt began attending Drake University Law School in August of 2013.

During his first year of law school, Matt started working at Spaulding, Berg, & Schmidt, PLC as a law clerk. It was during this time that Matt developed a keen interest in civil litigation work and a desire to represent individuals in need of help. During his third year of law school at Drake, Matt was exposed to his first courtroom experience while working at the Drake Legal Clinic in the criminal defense area. The ability to work with clients while at the Drake Legal Clinic was not only an educational experience for Matt, but a rewarding one as well. Matt advocated avidly for his clients at the Drake Legal Clinic, and was able to successfully resolve his clients’ legal matters to their satisfaction. In May 2016, Matt earned his Juris Doctorate from Drake Law School with Honors and passed the Bar Exam in September 2016.

Matt’s passion is working with individuals in need of legal representation for issues ranging from personal and workplace injuries, bad-faith insurance claim handling, and employment matters such as discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.  Helping clients navigate these legal issues with competent and compassionate representation is the reason why Matt wanted to become a lawyer and focus his practice on civil litigation.  Whether it is advocating for his clients in the courtroom or negotiating a favorable outcome before trial, achieving his client’s desired result is Matt’s first and foremost priority. 

In his free time, Matt enjoys exercising, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and cheering on his favorite sports teams – the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Cubs.

At Spaulding & Shaull, we represent our clients passionately and competently."

"I had the privilege of having Matthew Denning working my wrongful termination case. He is compassionate, articulate, knowledgeable, and effective. He kept me informed on the process each step of the way. Letting me know what my options were, as well as the risk. He made a very difficult and stressful situation into a successful one for me. If you’re looking for a trustworthy and dedicated attorney to handle your case, Matt is the attorney for you."
D.B.West Des Moines, IA
"Matthew Denning is nothing like what I would have ever expected to find in an attorney – he is a caring and compassionate human being. One that became my beacon of reason, because mine was so damaged in an incident at work. I found myself in a situation that I literally could not wrap my mind around. Not only was I wounded, angry, and confused, but I had lost all trust in anyone who represented any type of authority. Matt patiently listened to my anguish and despair, and then put it to the letter of the law. He not only gave me justice in my situation, but he helped me learn how to trust again. No amount of contingency can be great enough for all of that. I cannot thank him or his firm enough. I wish greatness for Matt's future, for being that light during my greatest trial of darkness."
J.T.Centerville, IA
"I had the opportunity to have Nick and Matt help resolve my cases. I must say, I was blown away by the way I was treated by them and the staff. Their attitude towards me was more of a friends and family feeling. These guys were on the ball. They worked hard to get things done and always kept me in the loop. Any law firm around can take lessons from these guys. I highly recommend S&S Law to anyone. Nick, Matt, once again, thank you for everything you have done."
T.M.West Burlington, IA
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