Attorneys

MATTHEW T. LINDHOLM
Managing Partner/Attorney
Matt Lindholm is a premier Iowa litigator specializing in criminal defense, personal injury, and government accountability. Known for a “mercenary for justice” approach, Matt combines deep client empathy with a trial-tested aggression that has earned him an Avvo “Superb” 10.0 rating and selection to the Super Lawyers list for multiple consecutive years. Whether defending constitutional rights or seeking recovery for the injured, Matt’s practice is defined by a relentless pursuit of results in Iowa’s most high-stakes courtrooms.
As a foremost authority on OWI defense, Matt holds a level of technical mastery that rivals law enforcement. He is a NHTSA-certified practitioner in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and a member of the National College for DUI Defense, using forensic science to dismantle the State’s evidence. His expertise has led to numerous “Not Guilty” verdicts and landmark appeals before the Iowa Supreme Court. A dedicated board member of the Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Matt is a sought-after educator who has led dozens of seminars for the Iowa Bar and Judiciary.
Matt’s civil litigation record is equally distinguished. He was a key member of the trial team that secured a $135 million verdict in a landmark sexual assault case and has secured significant recoveries in government misconduct and transportation litigation—including a nearly $1 million settlement for a state employee and significant settlements against rail companies and the County. From the Iowa Supreme Court to local juries, Matt remains a fierce champion for those facing life-altering legal challenges.

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MATTHEW’S PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Iowa Association for Justice
- Prior Board of Governors Member
- Prior Criminal Law Core Group Member
- Current active member and legislative consultant
- Key Person Award for Legislative Efforts, 2014
Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Board Member, 2005-Present
DUI Defense Lawyers Association
National College of DUI Defense, Inc.
- General Member, 2003-Present
BAR ADMISSIONS
Iowa Supreme Court, 2002
U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 2003
United States Supreme Court, 2015
PUBLICATIONS
Iowa Driver’s Rights Card, Copyright 2006, Gourley, Rehkemper, and Lindholm PLC
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GRLLawIowa
EDUCATION
Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa, 2002, J.D.
Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, 1999, B.A.
- Major: Criminal Justice
NHTSA/IACP Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Practitioner Course, Chicago, IA, April, 2005, NHTSA Certified
National College for DUI Defense, Summer Session, Boston, MA, July, 2006
National College for DUI Defense, Winter Session, Atlantis, Bahamas, January 2009
Mastering Scientific Evidence, New Orleans, LA, April 2010
NHTSA/IACP Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Practitioner Course, West Des Moines, Iowa, May, 2013, NHTSA RE-Certified
CLASSES/SEMINARS TAUGHT
OWI (DUI) Case law Update
-Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2003
OWI (DUI) Case law Update and Substantive Presentation, Drug Recognition Protocol
-Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2004
OWI (DUI) Case law Update and Substantive Presentation – Field Sobriety Tests
-The Voodoo that they do
-Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2005
OWI (DUI) Case law Update and Practical Practice Pointers
-Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2006
OWI (DUI) Case law Update, Iowa Judicial Conference, June 21, 2007
Discovery in Criminal Cases
-Iowa Association of Legal Assistants, September 2007
OWI (DUI) Caselaw Update and Substantive Presentation
-Field sobriety evidence – establishing sobriety through cross examination
-Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2007
OWI (DUI) Caselaw Update and Substantive Presentation
-Effective Assistance of Counsel at 2 A.M.
-Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2008
-What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About OWI
-Iowa Bar Association, Nuts & Bolts Seminar, October 2009
OWI(DUI) Caselaw Update and Substantive Presentation
-Preliminary Breath Test aka Proven BS Test.
-Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2009
Putting the Tools We Have To Use Iowa Association for Justice
-24th Annual Criminal Law Seminar, 2010
The New DataMaster DMT – A breath of fresh air?
-Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2010
Operating While Intoxicated Cases – What Every Lawyer Should Know
-Iowa Bar Association, 2010
OWI Update and Driving While Drugged
-Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2011
OWI’s at Trial – Try It, You Might Just Like It.
-Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2012
The Missing Link – Causation in Vehicular Homicide and Serious Injury by Vehicle Cases
-Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2013
Texting and Driving: “Exceptions…what?”
-Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2017
The Chaotic World of Collateral Consequences
Iowa Association for Justice Annual Conference, 2018
Fact Finding-Treasure Hunting with Matt and Bobby
Iowa Association for Justice Annual Conference, 2019
REPRESENTATIVE APPELLATE CASES
Iowa Supreme Court
Montague v. Skinner, ---N.W.3d--- (Iowa 2026)
Doss v. State, 961 N.W.2d 701 (Iowa 2021)
State v. Harris, 763 N.W.2d 269 (Iowa 2009)
State v. Lovig, 675 N.W.2d 557 (Iowa 2004)
Iowa Court of Appeals
Gray v. Hohenshell, 927 N.W.2d 680 (Iowa App. 2019)
Johnston v. Iowa DOT, 829 N.W.2d 193 (Iowa App. 2013)
State v. Nguyen, 840 N.W.2d 727 (Iowa App. 2013)
State v. Thomas, 838 N.W.2d 680 (Iowa App. 2013)
State v. Scott, 821 N.W.2d 777 (Iowa App. 2012)
State v. Braswell, 2010 Iowa App. LEXIS 810 (Iowa App. 2010)
State v. Michaloff, 2010 Iowa App. LEXIS 507 (Iowa App. 2010)
State v. Pettingill, 2009 Iowa App. LEXIS 1387 (Iowa App. 2009)
State v. Tangara, 2009 Iowa App. LEXIS 1527 (Iowa App. 2009)
State v. Tracy, 2007 Iowa App. LEXIS 913 (Iowa App. 2007)
What Clients Are Saying About Matt
"Matt is amazing"
"Matt was recommended to me by my aunt because they worked closely in this field of work. I had so many people try and talk me out of paying a lawyer for my OWI case, and believe me I didn't want to because it isn't cheap, but when I tell you that he is worth it, he is exactly that. He takes his time to really get to know your case and actually goes into detail in finding justice for you. He is easy to communicate with whenever you need, and will help you understand the process every step of the way. He was willing to travel to the county that my case was held in for a low travel fee. (Again, worth it.) The day of my trail I was super nervous and he even helped with keeping me calm, cool, and collected. He came prepared, on time, and ready to fight for me. He knows what he is doing and is very professional. I would recommend him to anyone who is battling an OWI case. He WILL find justice for you just like he found it for me! Thank you Matt!"
“NO WIN SITUATION”
"I am an Illinois driver who was arrested in Ames, Iowa on July 5, 2014 for an owi. I was pulled over for speeding, but I knew that once the officer came to the window that I was going to be in trouble. I can honestly say I have never been so scared in my 39 years of life! Because I refused to take the breathalyzer I was arrested and spent the night in jail. I have never been in trouble and didn't know what to do. On Monday morning I made some phone calls to local attorneys in my home town, only to be told that I would need to hire an attorney closer to Ames, Iowa. After one conversation with Matt, I knew he was the attorney for me! I was so mad at myself for getting myself in this situation, and didn't really know what was going to happen, but Matt made me feel comfortable and explained everything that was going to happen even before I hired him! He kept me informed of everything that was going on with my case. Three months after my arrest we went to trial. It really seemed crazy to go to trial for this, but it seemed like nothing was working for me. I was a nervous wreck weeks leading up to my trial date. If I was found guilty I would've had to do 2 days in jail and I would have a criminal record! I really felt like I was in a "no win" situation. Turns out I was worried for nothing! Matt got my case dismissed and I have no criminal record! I would without hesitation recommend Matt to anyone that is in a similar situation!"
"Review of Matt Lindholm And Emily"
"Matt was an amazing attorney/partner in my case. He was continuously keeping me in the loop and working hard on my case. My case was fairly unique in the fact that i had 3 criminal charges in the midst of a divorce. So not only did he help me to beat all 3 charges through 3 days of court and a 2 day jury trial, he also had to communicate with my divorce attorney to help me with winning shared custody of my children. I highly recommend Matt and his secretary Emily, Emily was the most helpful, kind, sweet, and diligent secretary I’ve ever worked with. She was always ready to take my calls, answer anything she could, or get me through to Matt ASAP. Great team to work with, thank you for everything!"
"If you are in need of responsive, knowledgeable, and fast acting defense then this is your guy!"
"If you find yourself in a situation in which you are needing a defense attorney…choose Matt and his team. From the beginning they eased any worries I had about my case. With a nowhere near perfect criminal record Matt was able to use his reputation to not only reduce my charge but also remove any possibility of jail time. He was able to fight the original plea bargain and come to an agreement with a better plea bargain that drastically reduced what was originally offered. Emily (his assistant) was extremely responsive and stayed on top of court dates, requirements, etc. Both sent reminders on what I needed to do prior to due dates, set follow up emails/calls, and also gave recommendations to help accomplish the required tasks. Not a day went by that I had to be worried about my future. I couldn’t ask for a better team for representation and highly recommend them!"
“DUI was Dismissed, I recommend Matthew Lindholm”
"Well if you are reading this your probably in the same boat I was in not long ago…. ok, after calling and calling numerous lawyers offices without answer, I came across Mr. Lindholm, his office answered right away, and I was scheduled for a meeting the same day, prior to the meeting I didn’t know what to expect, I was at a new personal low, spending the prior night in jail didn’t help either, also the thought that I might be terminated from my job kept cycling through my head as well, at the meeting I was treated with the upmost respect, Mr. Lindholm listened to my case and diligently took notes, he felt I had grounds to fight the DUI, which what I was exactly looking for in an attorney, so I hired him, after leaving his office, some of the burden of the weight was lifted off of my shoulders, even more was lifted when the previously contacted attorneys finally had the time to call back, but before any meeting they were sure to inform me of their fees up front, which made me see what their real priority was, anyways, he let me know what to expect, and always let me know if I needed to appear, or what our next move should be. Mr. Lindholm experience and professionalism shined through during the suppression trial, he left no stone unturned, and his due diligence moved boulders, which led to a dismissal of the case against me, but don’t take my word for it, just meet him, and you will be happy you hired him as well, I hope this review helps someone, because I am more than grateful for what this man did for me, I hope he can do it for you as well"
MATTHEW’S SPECIALTIES
Criminal Defense . Drug Charges . Distribution . Possession . Federal Court . Drug Offenses . Weapons Offenses . White Collar Crimes . Manslaughter . OWI . Sexual Abuse/Rape . Vehicular Homicide/Serious Injury . Exclusion of Evidence . Know Your Rights . Search and Seizure . Drunk Driving Defense . Do I Really Need a Lawyer . Driving and Drugs . DUI Rights . How We Defend You . Search and Seizure . OWI 1st, 2nd and 3rd . OWI - Drunk Driving Basics . OWI 3rd . Serious Injury by Vehicle . Vehicular Homicide . Iowa Drivers Rights Card . National College of DUI Defense . Vehicular Homicide/Serious Injury by Vehicle . How Committed . Representative Vehicular Homicide Cases . Specialized Defense . Wrongful Death/Traumatic Injury . Alcohol Related . Bar Responsibility . Motor Vehicle Accidents . Car Accidents . Motorcycle Accidents . Truck and Semi Accidents . Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents . Bicycle Accidents . Pedestrian Accidents . Wrongful Death





