By: McKenzie Taylor
When Matt Novak moved to Wabasso in 2016 with his wife, Laura, and their four children, he found more than just a place to live—he found a community to serve. Born and raised in Coon Rapids, Matt’s journey to becoming a lawyer started with an impressive academic journey and a desire to make a difference in people’s lives.
Matt started his schooling at St. John’s University, where he explored a wide variety of interests before deciding in his senior year to pursue law. “The ability to help people really drove me forward,” he said. He then went on to study at Georgetown University Law School in Washington, D.C., an experience that he described as transformative.
After law school, Matt began his career at Legal Aid, helping clients with diverse legal needs. Eager to take on new challenges, he later took over a general practice in Wabasso, a move that allowed him to serve the community while working on a broad spectrum of legal issues. “Taking the leap into a solo practice was a big challenge,” he noted, “but the rewards have been tremendous.”
As a general practice attorney, Matt’s day is anything but dull. “I might go from arguing an assault case to closing a real estate deal to drafting a will—all within a couple of hours,” he said. His work with small towns like Wabasso offers unique opportunities to engage with a wide variety of cases, giving him a deep understanding of the local communities, he serves.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of Matt’s job is being “whatever the community needs.” While he works as a municipal lawyer for local governments, much of his time is spent as an advocate and advisor for individuals. “I love the variety my job offers and finding ways to tailor my services to help each individual client,” he explained.
Throughout the course of his career, Matt has been influenced by mentors and people who emphasized the importance of humility, curiosity, and constant self-evaluation. He specifically spoke of one of his professors who changed his mind during a U.S. Supreme Court argument after hearing the other side’s case. “It amazed me—it takes real humility to change,” Matt reflected.
The way Matt views law is also guided by a deep respect for the foundations of his job. “I always go back to the statutes and laws to make sure I’m getting it right for my clients,” he said. Philosophers like Aristotle and St. Thomas More, the patron saint of lawyers, inspire him, along with what he calls the best legal movie ever, “My Cousin Vinny.” Matt stated that he is always willing to steal a little bit of wisdom from any source.
For those considering a career in law, especially in smaller communities, Matt offers simple but insightful advice: “Stay curious. Keep your interests broad, and learn as much as you can about as many subjects as you can.”
Looking ahead, Matts hopes are to grow his practice, with the possibility of adding staff to meet the increasing legal needs of the community. “There’s more work to go around than there are people to do it,” he said, voicing his commitment to increasing his reach and continuing to serve rural Minnesota communities much like Wabasso.
Matt Novak demonstrates the power of small-town legal practice to make a big impact. His journey from Georgetown Law to a solo practice in Wabasso reflects his dedication to helping people, his respect for the law, and his belief in the strength of community. For Matt, being a lawyer isn’t just a job—it’s a calling.