Matthew D. Jacobson

Matt’s clients range from multinational corporations to small, family-owned companies. His broad base of experience includes product liability defense (both personal injury and product performance), commercial liability issues, transportation claims, employment contests, construction disputes, and medical negligence claims. Effective at achieving successful outcomes both in and out of court, Matt has represented clients in a broad range of litigated conflicts in state and federal courts in Iowa and across the country. He has tried dozens of cases to verdict in both jury and bench trials and argued cases at various appellate court levels.

Matt is known for his detailed knowledge of the industries in which his clients work. He uses this knowledge to employ a hands-on approach to craft litigation strategies that yield efficient results and serve his clients’ long-term goals.

In addition to his litigation work, Matt regularly advises product manufacturers on ways they can avoid liability. He counsels businesses on issues relating to accident avoidance and liability prevention, including guidance on drafting warning labels and operator’s manuals, reviewing terms and conditions, forming safety committees, and executing hazard analysis exercises. He also works with clients to ensure compliance with standards promoted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), as well as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.

As an authority on product liability in the product manufacturing sector, Matt is frequently invited to both regional and national seminars to speak on legal issues that impact the industry.

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION REPRESENTATION

Matt represents transportation professionals across the country and is an active member of the ALFA International Transportation Group. The ALFA International Go Team delivers a nationwide rapid-response team with the expertise to immediately and effectively respond to incidents.

Contact Matthew today or call 515-288-6041 for more information. 

Honors & Recognitions

• Selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America in the area of Commercial Litigation (2023—2025)

Thought Leadership

• Presenter, "Technology Trends in Litigation: How Legal Counsel for Both Plaintiffs and the Defense Are Using Advanced Technology as Part of Their Litigation Strategies," Iowa Council of Safety Management of the Iowa Motor Truck Association, December 2024
• Co-Moderator, "When No Good Deed Goes Unpunished - The Conundrum Surrounding Making "Safety Devices" Optional," ALFA International Products Liability and Complex Torts Seminar, Stowe, Vermont, September 2024
• Co-presenter with Bryn Hazelwonder, "Product Liability Primer: Are Optional Safety Devices Truly "Optional"?" Polk County Bar Association Spring CLE, April 2024
• Presenter (with Zach Hermsen), National Tank Truck Carriers Regional Safety Summit, July 2023
• Presenter, "Danger! Danger! Will Robinson: Are My Warnings Enough?" ALFA International Product Liability and Complex Torts Practice Group Regional Seminar, February 2023
• Moderator, "Danger! Danger! Will Robinson: Are My Warnings Enough?" ALFA International Product Liability and Complex Torts Practice Group Seminar, June 2022
• Panelist, "How to Succeed an Associate Attorney," Iowa Defense Counsel Association Annual Meeting, September 2020
• Co-presenter, "Are Optional Safety Devices Truly "Optional?" ALFA International Products Liability & Complex Torts Practice Group Webinar, January, 2020
• Presenter with G. Mark Rice, "Negotiating Tactics: Opportunities and Challenges," Association of Corporate Counsel Iowa Chapter Seminar, June 2016
• Presenter, "The Hazard Analysis Card: What's in Your Company Wallet?" ALFA International Products Liability & Complex Torts Practice Group Seminar, May 2016
• Moderator, "Third Party Liens: How to manage the detrimental impact liens impose upon settlement negotiations," ALFA International Transportation Seminar, April 2015
• Presenter, "Expedited Civil Action Trial Rules: Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.281," Iowa Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), February 2015
• Presenter, "Presenting A United Defense Front in Multi-Party Litigation" ALFA International Product Liability & Complex Torts Practice Group Seminar, July 2014