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Matthew J. Brandes

Matthew J. Brandes Member

Contact Information

(319) 896-4021 (319) 366-1917 mbrandes@spmblaw.com Cedar Rapids, IA
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Practice Area

Bar Admissions

  • State of Iowa, 1985
  • State of Minnesota, 1981

Education

  • William Mitchell College of Law, cum laude, 1981
  • University of Notre Dame, 1975

Clerkship

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Edward J. McManus, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, 1983-1985

Matthew Brandes has been an attorney with Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC for over three decades. He has led the firm's family law practice since 1994 and is a former member of the firm's management committee. Mr. Brandes counsels and represents people in child custody, divorce and guardianship matters. He is an experienced mediator, collaborative law attorney and litigator, and has successfully resolved hundreds of family law cases for clients from all walks of life with a diverse range of family and business issues. Mr. Brandes is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), a significant group of the nation’s top family law attorneys, and co-chairs the Iowa Supreme Court Family Law Case Processing Reform Task Force.

Mr. Brandes' experience includes: Asset valuation and division, child custody, child support, dissolution of marriage, domestic abuse, premarital agreements, spousal support and related matters.

Mr. Brandes' clients include: Accountants, business executives, business owners, contractors, engineers, homemakers, laborers, lawyers, police officers, real estate developers, physicians, teachers and more.

Mr. Brandes is a member of the Family Law Mediation Panel for the Sixth Judicial District and provides service as a family law mediator. He is an active member of the Iowa State Bar and American Bar Associations. Mr. Brandes is also a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. He is a charter member of Collaborative Lawyers of Eastern Iowa, the area’s first collaborative family law practice group.

Mr. Brandes serves his community by providing pro bono representation to the less fortunate through the Iowa Legal Aid Family Law Intake Project and through service in his church. He has had the good fortune to be married for almost 45 years, is the father of three successful daughters and the grandfather of eight amazing grandchildren. 

  • Included in the Best Lawyers in America® list, 2025
    • Family Law, Family Law Mediation
  • Included in the Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" list for Cedar Rapids, 2019 & 2023
    • Family Law
  • Included in Great Plains Super Lawyers list, 2013-2024
    • Family Law
  • AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), 2013-Present
  • Iowa Supreme Court
    • Family Law Case Processing Reform Task Force, Co-Chair, 2014-Present
  • American Bar Association
    • Family Law Section Member
    • Division Member in Senior Lawyers
  • Iowa State Bar Association
    • Family & Juvenile Law Section Member, 1994-Present
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, 2010-Present
    • Board of Governors, 2012-2016
    • Family & Juvenile Law Section Council, 2002-2005; 2012-2016
    • Reporter, Chapter 11 Study Group, 2008-2011
    • Specialization Committee, 2001-2003
  • Fellow, Iowa State Bar Foundation
  • Linn County Bar Association
  • Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa, Inc., President, 2002-2004
  • Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), 2003-Present
  • Iowa District Court for the Sixth Judicial District
    • Member, Mediation Advisory Committee, 2007-Present
    • Family Visitation Center Steering Committee, 2007-2009
    • Member, Family Law Procedures Committee, 2002-2006

Publications

  • "Mediation in family law reduces trials, gives litigants more control," contributor
  • "In Determining Child Custody, It's Important to Know the Legal Terms," author
  • "In a divorce, you can get a little help from a lawyer," author
  • "Living Together is Commonplace but Lacks the Legal Protections," author
  •  "The Self-Representation Tsunami: Disaster or Opportunity,” co-author
  •  "Collaborative Law, Mediation Models," Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa, co-author

2019 Presentations

  • "Family Law Dos & Don'ts" at the Iowa Association for Justice, Family Law Seminar, 04/11/19

  • "Estate Planning Basics" and "Special Needs Trusts" at the Iowa State University Extension, Finances of Caregiving Class, 03/28/19

2018 Presentation

  • "The Self-Representation Tsunami: Disaster or Opportunity” at the Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting, 06/20/18

2017 Presentations

  • "Unbundling Legal Services" at the Bench and Bar, 10/20/17
  • "IDRT/Limited Scope Representation" at the Scott County Courthouse, 10/16/17
  • "Finances of Caregiving" for the Family Caregivers Center of Mercy, 06/07/17

2015 Presentation  

  • "Property Division: The Basics, Plus the Latest Developments Related to Dissipation and Gifts" for the Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting, 06/17/15

2014 Presentations

  • "A Trap for the Unwary: How Confidential Understandings in Family Law Mediation become Judicially Enforceable Settlement Agreements" for the Iowa State Bar Association Family Law Seminar, 10/24/14
  • "Improve(d) Access to Family Court through Uniform Rules and Forms" at the Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting, 06/18/14

2013 Presentations

  • "Hot and Timely Topics in Family Law" Re: New Standards of Conduct for Mediators as of 1/1/2012 at MSEI, 6/7/2013
  • "What Family Law Court Judges Want You to Know" for the NBI Judicial Forum, Program Moderator, 10/23/2013

2012 Presentation

  • "Reflections on the Impact of Chapter 11" at the Iowa Association of Mediators Annual Summer Chautauqua, 07/20/12

2011 Presentation

  • "The Best of the Best in Family Law Documents" at the Iowa State Bar Association Annual Family Law Seminar, 10/27/11

2010 Presentations

  • "Effective Discovery in Family Law Cases" at the Iowa State Bar Association Annual Family Law Seminar, 10/29/10
  • "Ethical Dilemmas for Mediators" Panel Presentation and Discussion at the Iowa Association of Mediators, Annual Summer Conference, 07/16/10

Presentations
View our archived presentation library!

In the Supreme Court of Iowa, No. 2-271 / 11-1398

  • In Re the Marriage of Diana L. Kimbro and Steven C. Kimbro; Upon the Petition of Diana L. Kimbro, Petitioner-Appellee and Concerning Steven C. Kimbro, Respondent-Appellant County Case No. CDDM036929 In re: Marriage of Kimbro, 826 N.W.2d 696 (Iowa 2013) Decision w/Published Opinion

In the Supreme Court of Iowa, No. 39 / 03-1131

  • In Re the Marriage of DeAnn Patricia Schriner and John Kenneth Schriner; Upon the Petition of DeAnn Patricia Schriner, Appellee and Concerning John Kenneth Schriner, Appellant Linn County Case No. CDDM029810 In re: Marriage of Schriner, 690 N.W.2d 698 (Iowa App. 2004) In re: Marriage of Schriner, 695 N.W.2d 493 (Iowa 2005) Decision w/Published Opinion