Matthew E. Naasz

Matthew E. Naasz is a partner at Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore, LLP in Rapid City, South Dakota. His practice includes business law, governmental law, environmental law, agricultural matters, mining and energy issues, and civil litigation. Naasz works on legal problems involving businesses, public entities, regulatory requirements, natural resources, and contested proceedings. His background in private practice and public service gives him experience with litigation, agency matters, and government decision-making.

Naasz earned a J.D. with Sterling Honors from the University of South Dakota and a B.S. in English, cum laude, from Northern State University. During law school, he served as a copy editor for the South Dakota Law Review. His education strengthened legal research, writing, and analytical skills that support work involving statutes, regulations, administrative records, business issues, and complex civil disputes.

Naasz entered private practice after law school and later served as a staff attorney for the South Dakota Supreme Court. He then worked in the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office, first on appellate matters and later in civil litigation involving tax, water resources, environmental issues, and civil rights. He returned to private practice with substantial government and appellate experience. He is admitted to practice in South Dakota and handles matters that can involve courts, agencies, businesses, and public entities.

Matthew E. Naasz brings a combination of private-practice, appellate, and government litigation experience to business and regulatory matters. His work requires careful reading of statutes and records, persuasive writing, and practical analysis of legal risk. He helps clients navigate commercial disputes, governmental processes, environmental and natural-resource questions, and other civil matters where regulatory obligations and litigation strategy intersect with business or public-sector objectives.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson and Ashmore, LLP
• Member, State Bar of South Dakota
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Pennington County Bar
• Member, SD Municipal Attorney Association
• Member, SD Council of School Attorney
• Member, Client Assistance Fund South Dakota State Bar Committee
• Member, American Legion
• Member, South Dakota Mineral Industries Association

Licensed State

• South Dakota

Education

• University of South Dakota
  J.D., Sterling Honor
• Northern State University
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in English (Cum Laude)

Awards & Badges