Attorney Thomas Kolpien & Attorney Paul Matenaer
Axley is excited to announce the addition of two attorneys to our team. Attorney Paul Matenaer will be joining Axley’s Madison Office as a litigator, and former Rock County Family Court Commissioner Tom Kolpien will be joining the Janesville Office as a litigator and family law attorney.
Attorney Paul Matenaer – Madison
Formerly an Axley law clerk, Attorney Paul Matenaer recently graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School and focuses his practice on insurance defense, municipal and school law, and general civil litigation. His experience extends to writing summary judgment and appellate briefs, drafting motions and mediation statements, and preparing memos. He frequently assists insurance companies, businesses, and individuals with their litigation needs.
During law school, Attorney Matenaer served as Articles Editor for the Wisconsin Law Review and was named as a semi-finalist for the Best Brief Competition. He also worked for the UW Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic as a student associate, providing advice to local start-ups.
Prior to law school, Attorney Matenaer worked as a canon lawyer for eight years, serving as a canonical judge and advocate in marriage nullity cases and penal cases for the Catholic Church. He still retains his license to practice canon law and can assist clients in obtaining a declaration of nullity (“annulment”) from the Catholic Church.
Attorney Tom Kolpien – Janesville
Attorney Kolpien focuses his practice on family law, paternity, estate planning, probate, elder law, business, banking, and 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. 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 was 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.