About
Thomas Kolpien is a partner in Axley and a member of the firm’s litigation practice group. Attorney Kolpien focuses his practice on family law, paternity, estate planning, probate, elder law, business, banking, and a variety of general civil litigation matters.
Attorney Kolpien recently served as Rock County Family Court Commissioner for nearly 8 years, presiding over all actions affecting the family. During his tenure as Family Court Commissioner, Attorney Kolpien conducted hearings involving contested custody and placement proceedings, child support and maintenance proceedings, relocation of children proceedings, and enforcement or contempt proceedings. Additionally, he commonly presided over juvenile and criminal proceedings. Attorney Kolpien has received endorsements regarding his judicial qualifications from lawyers, commissioners and judges throughout the state of Wisconsin. He also recently graduated from the National Judicial College Faculty Development Workshop after being invited by the Wisconsin Supreme Court Office of Judicial Education to present at judicial conferences, essentially teaching and assisting judges how to be better judges. Attorney Kolpien has presented at numerous conferences and seminars for the Office of Judicial Education, the State Bar of Wisconsin, and other organizations on a variety of legal topics. His experience working in a judicial capacity will be vital to representing the firm’s clients’ interests.
Prior to serving as Family Court Commissioner, Attorney Kolpien has been Assistant Corporation Counsel for Rock County, where he primarily prosecuted child abuse and neglect cases and termination of parental rights matters. Additionally, he formerly owned and operated his own law practice, where he developed experience in a wide variety of civil litigation matters, transactional matters, business representation, and criminal matters. He is frequently appointed by judges to assist litigants and has earned the reputation within the legal system as being a passionate advocate, a highly qualified jurist, and a well-trusted officer of the court.
Attorney Kolpien received a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree at Ripon College, majoring in History with an emphasis on culture and race relations in the United States. He participated in an annual conference as a student panel member on race relations in conjunction with Fisk University, a Historical Black College/University (HBCU), where he also studied. He received his law degree in January, 2004 from Marquette University School of Law, where he was a Dean’s List recipient and participated as a panel member for the university’s student discipline board.
Attorney Kolpien lives in Beloit, Wisconsin with his wife, two daughters and step-daughter, and their golden retriever named “Benny.” He is passionate about his family, public service, and is also an avid sports fan.
Education
J.D., Marquette University School of Law
B.A., Ripon College
Involvement & Recognition
Involvement:
- Board Member, Family Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin
- Member, Legislative Committee of the State Bar of Wisconsin
- Chair, Forms Committee of the State Bar of Wisconsin
- Board Member, NAMI-Rock County (National Alliance for Mental Illness
- Board Member, Family Services-Rock County
- Family Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Directors
- Forms Committee Chair
- Legislative Committee Member
- Supplemental Court Commissioner
Certifications:
- Interdisciplinary Family Law Mediation Training, Family Mediation Center: 30 Hours Spring 2023
Endorsements
Tom has been extremely helpful in guiding me through the divorce process and a strong advocate for me. I am particularly thankful for his communication style, and his willingness to explain things to me during a very difficult time. Also, because he spent several years as a Family Court Commissioner, he has extensive experience in evaluating complex issues and his representation in my case has been very, very helpful. I would gladly recommend him to anyone in need of legal representation for a divorce or family law matter. – Jessica O.
I have only been a client of Tom less than a week in that time he has familiarized himself with my case, and taken action on my behalf. He has provided a clear explanation of the laws regarding my case, he has given me a truthful assessment of the opposing arguments, he has made me aware of any holes in my supporting evidence for my case, he has given me advice on how to improve my communication with the opposing party to improve my ability to obtain evidence that can be used in the courtroom and he has made a clear and convincing argument for my case to opposing counsel suggesting settlement options! I am very pleased with his work and would recommend him to anyone going through a family law case! – Faith D.