Matthew D. Blake

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, such as nursing facilities and assisted living providers. In this role he gained extensive knowledge of Iowa’s Medicaid system and issues facing Iowa’s aging populations. He uses this knowledge to advise clients on the complexities of navigating the Medicaid spend down process and other issues related to elder law and estate planning.

As an active military Officer of the Iowa Army National Guard, Matt has covered a wide range of legal matters over the past seven 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 was elected to his first term in the Iowa Senate in 2024. 

Honors & Awards

Best Lawyers

• Selected for inclusion in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in the following areas:
  • Elder Law
  • Real Estate Law
  • Trusts and Estates

Honors

• Selected for the 2019 Forty Under 40, Des Moines Business Record