Attorney Kent A. Tess-Mattner

Kent A. Tess-Mattner

Kent A. Tess-Mattner was the President of Schmidt, Rupke, Tess-Mattner & Fox, S.C. and currently is of counsel to the firm.

He received his undergraduate degree cum laude from Carroll College (now University) in 1975 and his law degree in 1980 from Marquette University Law School, where he was the Managing Editor of the Marquette Law Review.

Following graduation, he worked for two years as law clerk to the Honorable John A. Decker, then Chief Judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. As a trial and appellate lawyer, Kent handled many jury trials and trials to the court and numerous appeals (including many for other lawyers’ clients after trial).

He has extensive experience in family law (including divorce, paternity, post-divorce modifications of maintenance, child support, child placement and custody); in personal injury law, representing people injured in automobile, bicycle, and motorcycle accidents; and in real estate law, both transactional (representing buyers or sellers) and litigation.

Kent’s legal skills have been recognized by his peers, as he has been named among the Best Lawyers in America in family and appellate law, and a Super Lawyer in family law. The independent rating site Avvo gives him its highest ranking, 10.0.

Throughout his career, Kent served on dozens of bar association committees, in addition to co-chairing the Milwaukee Bar Association’s Civil Litigation Section and serving as President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Society of Family Lawyers.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court appointed him to the Board of Attorneys Professional Responsibility (now Office of Lawyer Regulation) District Committee for 1987-1989. He is a past President of the Leander J. Foley, Jr. Matrimonial Chapter of American Inns of Court; a member (and former Chair) of the Board of Directors of the Appellate Practice Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin; and a volunteer judge for national and state mock trial competitions.

Kent’s writings have been published in the Marquette Law Review and other publications, including a chapter in the State Bar of Wisconsin publication, The Law of Damages in Wisconsin.

Kent is admitted to practice before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and both United States District Courts in Wisconsin, as well as all Wisconsin courts and administrative agencies.