In practice since 1989, Matt Yde joined with Greg 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 give 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, the 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 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, weaknesses and greatest fears.”
“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, weaknesses and greatest fears.”
On Having Appellate Experience:
“We’ve handled a lot of appeals before the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Appellate experience like ours is rare. 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
Mediation
Workers’ Compensation
Employment Disputes
Product Liability
Business Disputes
Real Estate Disputes
Insurance Mediation/Arbitration
Construction Disputes
Contract Disputes
Fair Dealership/Franchise Disputes
Probate Disputes
Mediation
Education:
Legal: Marquette University
Graduated 1989
Thomas More Scholar
Crowley Scholar
Zilber Scholar
American Jurisprudence Award
Graduated 1989
Thomas More Scholar
Crowley Scholar
Zilber Scholar
American Jurisprudence Award
Undergraduate: Central College, Pella, Iowa
Graduated 1986
Grace Boat Scholar
Varsity letter winner in football and wrestling
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. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Menominee Tribal Court
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
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
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
The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
The Defense Research Institute, Inc.
Wisconsin Association for Justice
Regional Director of DRI-Voice of the Defense Bar
Civic Activities:
Boys and Girls Club of the Wausau Area, Inc.
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 (Vice President, 1991-1992; Secretary, 1993-2001)
Everest Youth Hockey Director (2001-2004)
Youth baseball, basketball and tackle football coach
Salvation Army bell ringer
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 (Vice President, 1991-1992; Secretary, 1993-2001)
Everest Youth Hockey Director (2001-2004)
Youth baseball, basketball and tackle football coach
Salvation Army bell ringer
Coach for the D.C. Everest High School Mock Trial Team