Matthew J. Schaap

Matthew J. Schaap is a shareholder and secretary based in Apple Valley, Minnesota. He assists clients with personal and business litigation matters, including appeals, civil litigation, and commercial disputes. His practice focuses on litigation and trial work, helping clients understand the legal process, evaluate case risks, and prepare for informed decisions. Matthew also supports clients through early case analysis, motion practice, discovery, trial strategy, and settlement planning.

Matthew earned his J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where he served as managing editor of the Hamline Law Review, made the Dean’s List, received the CALI Award in Legal Research and Writing, and earned a department award for best appellate brief in his first-year class. He also received a B.A. in English from Calvin University. His education supports his strong legal writing, analysis, and courtroom advocacy.

Matthew began his legal career as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Elizabeth A. Hayden of Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District. In that role, he assisted with legal research, writing, analysis, and jury trials in both criminal and civil matters. His later experience includes appeals before the Minnesota Court of Appeals, the Minnesota Supreme Court, and the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., along with mediations, arbitrations, court trials, motion hearings, depositions, and jury trials.

Matthew J. Schaap has been named to the Minnesota Super Lawyers List and was previously selected to the Minnesota Rising Stars List. He is admitted in Minnesota, Wisconsin, several federal district courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. He is also active in professional and community organizations, including state and county bar associations, chamber leadership, and Rotary service.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder & Secretary, Dougherty, Molenda, Solfest, Hills & Bauer P.A.
• Member, Minnesota State Bar Association, Civil Litigation Section
• Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
• Member, Dakota County Bar Association
• Co-Chair, Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce

Licensed State

• Minnesota
• Wisconsin

Education

• Mitchell Hamline School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Calvin University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges