Matthew H. McKinney

I chair BrownWinick's Government Relations practice group. I advise businesses, trade associations, nonprofits, and public-sector entities on legislative and regulatory matters before the Iowa General Assembly, the Governor's Office, and state agencies. During session I am at the Iowa Capitol full time, tracking legislation, drafting and analyzing bills and amendments, and counseling clients on how proposals may affect them. I also advise clients on lobbying registration and reporting, gift and ethics rules, campaign finance, and corporate political activity, and I lead our firm's multistate ethics and lobbying compliance work for organizations active in other states.

How I work

Clients hire me for legal counsel and advocacy on matters that are technically complex and often time-sensitive. My work typically includes:

• Legislative strategy and monitoring as well as for offensive and defensive positions
• Drafting legislation, amendments, and regulatory comments
• Coalition and stakeholder coordination
• Preparing and presenting testimony and briefings in subcommittee and committee
• Lobbying, ethics, gift, and campaign finance compliance, including multistate registration and reporting.
• Agency rulemaking and related administrative and regulatory proceedings before state agencies, boards, and commissions, including the Administrative Rules Review Committee

I work with clients in highly regulated industries and policy areas including insurance, health care, gaming, financial services, alcoholic beverages, agriculture, technology, water and utilities, economic development, and local government.

Background

Early in my career I served as an Assistant Polk County Attorney, followed by practicing in commercial litigation in Phoenix, Arizona. That prosecution and litigation background shapes how I prepare for my work on the Hill: I give legislative work the same attention to the record, the process, and the opposing view that a trial requires.

I serve as an at-large member on the West Des Moines City Council (elected 2019, re-elected 2023; current term through 2027). I serve the City in a public capacity separate from my law practice and do not represent clients before the City. Having run for public office and served on city council for one of Iowa's largest cities, I've seen government relations from several sides. That experience, including hitting the pavement and knocking thousands of doors, to preparing campaign mailings, filing campaign reports, working with the media, and being lobbied myself, provides important perspective that allows me to advise clients with additional insight.

Recognition

• The Best Lawyers in America®, Government Relations Practice (2025 to 2027)
• Super Lawyers®, Great Plains Rising Stars, Government Relations (2017 to 2021)
• Graduate of Leadership Iowa, the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, and the West Des Moines Leadership Academy

Let's Talk

If you are evaluating legislative representation in Iowa, or reviewing how your organization handles lobbying and ethics compliance across states, call me at 515-242-2468 or email matt.mckinney@brownwinick.com. Each engagement begins with a conversation about your goals and the legal framework that applies.

My Specialties

• Government Relations
• Litigation / Trial Law
• Data Security and Privacy
• Administrative Law
• Business and Corporate Law
• Health Law