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Matthew J. Kinney
Pro

Matthew J. Kinney

3.9
25 reviews

720 14th Street, Sturgis, SD 57785 [2, *]+ 2 locations

Criminal Law and DUI/DWI

About Matthew J. Kinney

Matt Kinney knows that a good lawyer needs more than just a degree; they need a wide range of experience and a deep connection to the community. Raised in rural Vermillion, Matt spent time in journalism and the insurance industry before finding his true calling in the law. Since 1996, he has been running his own firm in Spearfish, where he has built a reputation as a go-to attorney for criminal defense, civil litigation, and business matters. Matt is licensed in both state and federal courts, and he has a proven track record of taking cases all the way to the South Dakota Supreme Court to protect his clients' rights. Whether he is breaking new ground in real estate law or navigating a tough criminal trial, Matt brings a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to every case. He is a University of South Dakota law graduate who truly values the local way of life. Outside of work, you’ll likely find him enjoying some music, catching a baseball game, or heading out on a family vacation. For Matt, practicing law is about more than just paperwork—it’s about providing the dedicated advocacy his neighbors deserve.

 

Matthew J. Kinney (Sturgis, South Dakota) View website

Awards

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AV Preeminent Peer Rated
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Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Matthew J. Kinney got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

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Avvo Client Choice

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Reviews for Matthew J.

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Overall Rating
3.9
See All Reviews
25
2.0
Lawyers.com
4
4.2
Martindale
21
Avvo
Not yet reviewed
Showing 1-4 of 4 client reviews from Lawyers.com
Lawyers.com Rating Snapshot
5 stars
25%
4 stars
0%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
75%
What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
2.0
Quality of Service
2.0
Responsiveness
2.0
Value for Money
2.0
Drug Crimes
Posted by anonymous
January 27, 2019
Hired Attorney

Matthew kinney and his team was very knowledgeable and wonderful to work with. They made themselves available to the best of their ability. We got picked up in SD with a considerable amount of pot and we ended up getting no jail time and 80hrs of community service. I hope i never find myself in the situation again but if i do...i know who to call. The man is awesome!!

 
General Practice
Posted by anonymous
April 12, 2021
Hired Attorney

Mr. Kinney violated a state statue of sharing confidential information with a third party that has caused a great deal of damage to me. He was reprimanded by the State Bar of South Dakota for his actions.

Drug Crimes
Posted by anonymous
October 02, 2018
Hired Attorney

I would’ve done better defending myself. Matt Kinney and his office was almost completely unresponsive throughout my case. Demanded more money after claiming the first round was “fully paid” for the case. Incredibly rude, especially his paralegal! That woman is the absolute worst! Do not waste your time with this con man!

Criminal Law
Posted by anonymous
June 19, 2018
Hired Attorney

Very rude when we tried to speak with him. Took the easiest / quickest plea even thou we were innocent; didn't read the details of the case. When we finally were able to inform him of the details the case was all of a sudden dismissed! Good thing we had the tenacity to pursue this and not take the plea he offered. Backwoods lawyer for backwoods justice, the whole charge within the SD legal system was a sham, including Matthew.

 
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Services

Areas of Law

  • Criminal Law 1
    • DUI/DWI

Practice Details

  • Languages
    Spanish
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Partner
    Firm Name
    Kinney Law, pc
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases

    Stanley v. Department of Public Safety, 2023 S.D. 13

    State of SD v. Williams, S.D. 44 ( https://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/28938281a96b.pdf), 2020

    Berkley v. Dowling, S.D. 9 ( https://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/27021.pdf, 2015

    State of SD vs. Tillman , S.D. 57 (http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/26102.pdf), 2012

    Dakota Craft vs. Severson, 769 N.W.2d 434 (http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/25002.pdf), 2009

    State of SD vs. Haar, 772 N.W.2d 157 (http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/24988.pdf), 2009

    State of SD vs. Swan, 753 N.W.2d 418 (http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/24621.pdf), 2008

    State of SD vs. Sweedl
    , 721 N.W.2d 409 (http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/23713.pdf), 2006

    Robert Bender vs. Dakota Restort, 700 N.W.2d 739 (http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=1445), 2005

    MGA Insurance vs. Goodsell, 07 N.W.2d 483 (http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=1482), 2005

    Saiz v. Horn, 668 N.W.2d 332 (http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=1166), 2003

    State v. Ballard, 2000 SD 134 (http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=341), 2000

    State of SD vs. Bilben, http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/26782.pdf

    State of SD vs. Heney, https://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/26624.pdf

    Craig Saiz
    Patty Saiz v Rod Horn d/b/a Horn Real Estate , http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=1166

    State of SD vs. Shanna Ballard, http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=341

    Guardianship of Blare, http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=369)

  • Additional Links
    https://www.kinney-law.com/attorney/matthew-j-kinney/

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1996, South Dakota
    1996, U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    University of South Dakota School of Law
    Class of 1995
    J.D.
    Other Education
    University of Minnesota-Minneapolis
    Class of 1990
    B.A.
    Journalism

Contact Matthew J. Kinney

Partner at Kinney Law, pc
3.9
25 reviews

720 14th StreetSturgis, SD 57785U.S.A.

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121 W. Hudson StreetSpearfish, SD 57783U.S.A.

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909 St. Joseph Street, 10th Floor, Suite 3Rapid City, SD 57701U.S.A.

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Office Hours:
  • Monday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tuesday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wednesday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thursday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Friday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
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Other Office Locations

Spearfish, SD

121 W. Hudson StreetSpearfish, SD 57783U.S.A.

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Rapid City, SD

909 St. Joseph Street, 10th Floor, Suite 3Rapid City, SD 57701U.S.A.

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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    Matthew J. Kinney is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota.
  • Does this attorney speak any other languages?
    Matthew J. Kinney speaks Spanish.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Matthew J. Kinney has a 4.2 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Kinney Law, pc has 3 attorneys at this location.
  • Does this attorney maintain a practice in more than one location?
    Yes, Matthew J. Kinney has a presence in Rapid City, SD and Spearfish, SD.

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