Attorneys and Support Staff > Partner Profile: Matt Yde

Partner Profile: Matt Yde

In practice since 1989, Matt Yde joined with Gregory Strasser to form Strasser & Yde in July of 1997. His track record of successful jury trials, court trials, arbitrations, discrimination hearings, and Workers' Compensation hearings throughout Wisconsin and Illinois gives our clients an edge at trial which increases the likelihood of a favorable settlement.

His professional philosophy and dedication to his clients is exemplified by his own words:

On What Makes Strasser & Yde Different

"We are trial attorneys. We develop a strategy to achieve our goal, we retain experts to support our position, and we use our resources and experience to effectively neutralize opposing experts.

It's all about the power of persuasion... We are the voice for our client."

On Confidence in Court

"I want to be the person who everybody looks at and says, 'This guy is a truth seeker, not someone giving me one side of the story; He's telling me the truth.' If you're the tough guy that tries to roll over everybody, who only talks about the things that support his side, who reads the first paragraph of a document but not the second paragraph that tells the whole story, people on juries get mad when they find out about it later on in the trial. They see that person as a manipulator, not a 'truth seeker.'

You need to make your points in a humble way. First impressions are very important. A good trial attorney has charisma, character, is tough but fair, and doesn't turn people off."

On What It Takes to Win for Clients

"Our formula for success is preparation, strategy, experience, and passion. It means spending the extra time it takes to find that piece of evidence or legal authority that gives you an edge...You have to be ready for anything.

My style is to look the jury in the eyes, and tell them why my client should prevail. They can see from my eyes that I am sincere and passionate about my case and I can see from their eyes whether or not they're following me.

That's what matters in front of a jury...we've taken cases that others have turned down as too complicated or too difficult and won them because of our individualized approach and attention to detail."

On Having a Wider Base of Experience

"Having represented both plaintiffs and defendants is a distinct advantage because it gives you insight into the weaknesses of the other side's position. When you have walked in your opponent's shoes before, you have a better understanding of your opponent's strengths and weaknesses and greatest fears.

We've handled a lot of appeals before the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Appellate experience like ours is very rare, but having it is important. A trial attorney must properly prepare the trial record for an appeal. Having handled numerous appeals gives us an advantage when it comes to properly preparing the record for appeal."

Areas of Practice

  • Personal Injury
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Employment disputes
  • Product liability
  • Business disputes
  • Real estate disputes
  • Insurance Mediation/arbitration
  • Construction disputes
  • Contract disputes
  • Fair dealership/franchise disputes
  • Probate disputes
  • Malpractice

Trial Experience

  • Hundreds of jury trials, court trials, and administrative hearings throughout Wisconsin in state and federal courts and administrative proceedings
  • Management of out-of-state litigation for corporate clients

Education

Legal: Marquette University

  • Graduated 1989
  • Thomas More Scholar
  • Crowley Scholar
  • Zilber Scholar
  • American Jurisprudence Award

College: Central College, Pella, Iowa

  • Graduated 1986
  • Grace Boat Scholar
  • Varsity letter winner in football and wrestling

Admitted to Practice

  • Wisconsin Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • Menominee Tribal Court

Bar Associations

  • American Bar Association (Member: Litigation Section)
  • State Bar of Wisconsin (Member: Litigation Section)
  • Marathon County Bar Association

Professional Activities

  • Civil Trial Counsel of Wisconsin (Board Member)
  • The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
  • The Defense Research Institute, Inc.
  • Wisconsin Association for Justice

Civic Activities

  • Boys and Girls Club of the Wausau Area, Inc. (Director, 1996-present; Program Committee, Chair, 1996-1998; President, September 2003-2005; Immediate Post President, 2005-2007; Advisory Board, 2007-present)
  • March of Dimes (Volunteer)
  • Northern Valley Workshop, Inc., (Director, 1995-2001)
  • United Way of Marathon County (Account Executive, 1994-1997)
  • Wausau Area Youth Football League, Inc. (Vice President, 1991-1992; Secretary, 1993-2001)
  • Everest Youth Hockey (Director, 2001-2004)
  • Youth baseball, basketball, and tackle football coach
  • Salvation Army bell ringer

Personal Information

  • Enjoys coaching and mentoring young men and women
  • Muskie fisherman
  • Participates in weight training