Thomas K. Guelzow

Auto Accidents - Burn Injuries - Dangerous Products - Insurance Claims

Tom graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1972. At that time, he found himself a young widower. He and his 1 year old son were, in fact, head-residents of the male dorm during Tom's third year of law school at Valparaiso. Tom's background and personal experience have served in large measure as a driving force for the work he has done for nearly four decades. Tom has represented individuals against Goliath corporations, holding them accountable for the faulty design of machinery and/or their conduct that resulted in severe injuries or death to his clients.

Tom's background in the trades has served him well in the practice of law, particularly in the areas where he has focused his work, personal injuries and product liability litigation; namely, his experiences have given him insight and understanding of construction methods, machine design, and personal experience in the real world of construction work. Tom has used this platform of knowledge to help him investigate, confirm, and document many equipment failures, and bring those cases to trial, not only for the benefit his clients, but with the ultimate goal of challenging industries to build better and safer products.

He has also developed a network of experts to aid investigations and provide testimony, including on safer designs, on behalf of his clients. The team at Guelzow & Winston clearly understand their mission - to build a solid case for the victims they represent, seek to prevent similar injuries or deaths in the future where possible, and place responsibility where it rightfully belongs.

As a litigation attorney, Tom stands as one of the most respected. He has served as President of the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, on the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice, and as Chair of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin. Tom has also taught at the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School, through numerous teaching appointments. He has made dozens of speeches and presentations to lawyers across Wisconsin on practicing law through the Wisconsin State Bar Association and the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers. Without exception, his speaking engagements and published works are to share information and educate the public and his peers regarding liability issues.

Today, Tom enjoys living in the Northwoods. He and his wife, Bambi, have three adult children and two grandchildren. Also, Tom is certified as a minister and instructor of Stephen Ministries. As a private pilot with his own plane, Tom not only loves to fly, but is also able to respond quickly to any call for help - often flying across the country for consultations, investigations, or representations of clients.

Areas of Practice:

Personal Injury -- Plaintiff

Products Liability Law

Medical Malpractice

Certification/Specialties:

PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)

Teacher of Stephen Ministries , 1996

Stephen Minister, Stephen Ministries, St. Louis, Missouri, 1990

Civil Trial Advocacy, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 1985

Civil Trial Advocacy, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 1990

Civil Trial Advocacy, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 1995

Civil Trial Advocacy, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2000

Bar Admissions:

Wisconsin

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin

U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee

U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee

U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Tennessee

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Tennessee

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Tennessee

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Wisconsin

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Wisconsin

U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit

Education:

Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso, Indiana, 1972
J.D.

University of Wisconsin--Platteville, 1969
B.S.
Honors: Cum Laude

University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1968

Luther College, 1965

Published Works:

Judicial Council of Wisconsin Supreme Court: Ad Hoc Member of General Projects Committee, Alleged Discovery Abuses, Summer, 1979

Governor's Task Force: "Special Problems of Sole Proprietors", 1981

"Punitive Damages in Medical Malpractice Cases", The Verdict, Summer, 1984

"From the President", The Verdict, 1991

"Message From The Chair", Litigation News (State Bar of Wisconsin), Spring, 2002

Classes/Seminars Taught:

"Preparation of Civil Cases for Trial", University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison, Wisconsin, 1979 - 1981

"Opening Statement - For the Plaintiff",, Marquette University Law School: College of Trial Advocacy, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1988

Faculty, "Trial College", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1981 - 1982

Trial Demonstration, 1986 Midwinter Convention, State Bar of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1986

Winter Seminar and Annual Meeting, "Medical Malpractice, Panel Powers--How Far Can the Panel Go?", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1983

Winter Seminar and Annual Meeting, "Products Liability, Sports Litigation", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1984

Winter Seminar and Annual Meeting, "Opening Statements, Burn, Baby, Burn", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers

Use of Vocational Rehabilitation Experts and Economic Experts in Proving Lost Earning Capacity, "Cross Examination of Defendant's Vocational Rehabilitation Expert", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, Madison, Wisconsin, October 3, 1986

Summer Section Seminar, "Depositions and Interrogatories Section", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, June 30, 1987

Civil Litigation Seminar, "Discovery--A Defense Bias?", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, October 14, 1988

1989 Summer Seminar, "Discovery: Is There a Defense Bias?", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, July 8, 1989 - August 8, 1989

1990 Summer Seminar, "Legal Analysis of Hedonic Damages in Wisconsin", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, June 12, 1990 - June 14, 1990

Nuts & Bolts of Personal Injury Practice, "Deposing Expert Witnesses", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, Middleton, Wisconsin, October 26, 1990

Annual Meeting & Winter Seminar, Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, Middleton, Wisconsin, December 6, 1991 - December 7, 1991

7th Annual Summer Seminar, "Resisting Confidentiality/Secrecy Agreements:A Waste of Your Time?, ", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, July 8, 1995

8th Annual Summer Seminar, "Discovery Abuses: Is Anyone Listening, Does Anyone Care", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, June 12, 1996 - 1996

Annual Meeting & Winter Seminar, "Domestic Abuse — A Trial Lawyer's Responsibility", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 5, 1997 - December 6, 1997

13th Annual Summer Seminar, "Small Firm Survival Kit (Bigger Telephone Ads and Other Snake Oil)", Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, July 13, 2001 - August 14, 2001

2002 Spring Seminar, "Presenting Evidence at Mediation, Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, Green Bay, Wisconsin, March 8, 2002

9th Annual Torts Seminar, "Securing Jurisdiction Over Foreign Corporations", State Bar of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin, August 27, 1986 - August 28, 1986

11th Annual Torts Seminar, State Bar of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 1, 1988

Slip, Trip, Fall and Sue Seminar, State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 6, 1989

Insurance Law Issues, "Homeowner's Policies--Insurance Coverage Questions/Insurance Coverage Issues", , State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, April 7, 1993 - April 8, 1993

Summer Seminar, "Ulcers, Alcoholism and Coronary Disease Vs. Common Sense and Humor (Fifty Years Old and Counting)", State Bar of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, June 13, 1996

1998 Annual Convention, "Learned Treatises, Impeachment, Medical Records and the Jury, and Update on Discovery Abuses", State Bar of Wisconsin, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, June 25, 1999

1999 Annual Convention, "Wrongful Death — Increased Limits — Increased Opportunities — to Err", State Bar of Wisconsin, Litigation Section, Green Bay, Wisconsin, June 24, 1999

2001 Annual Convention, "Mediation – 'Southern Style'", State Bar of Wisconsin, Litigation Section, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, May 2, 2001

2003 Annual Convention, "Secrecy Agreements – Perhaps the End of a Disgrace", State Bar of Wisconsin, Litigation Section, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 7, 2003

"Liability in Sports", Wisconsin Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance State Convention, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, October 26, 1984

Panel on Tort Reform, Wisconsin Recreation Industries, Inc., Eau Claire, Wisconsin, October 20, 1987

Annual Meeting, "Liability Insurance", Wisconsin Indian Head Country, Inc., Eau Claire, Wisconsin, September 15, 1988

"Tort Reform", Monroe Kiwanis Club, Monroe, Wisconsin, May 24, 1990

"Sports Litigation--Coaches' Liability", University of Wisconsin--Stout, April 30, 1985

"Medical Malpractice in Wisconsin -- Where Are We At -- Do We Need Reform?", Tri-County Medical Association, October 24, 1994

"Dealing with Grief & Moving On", Widowed Persons Service, September 13, 1997

Advanced Development Workshop, "Moving Human Value of Life from the Courtroom to the Kitchen Table", Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, April 20, 2004

Honors and Awards:

Selected for inclusion in Wisconsin Super Lawyers, 2007

Professional Associations and Memberships:

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers/Wisconsin Association for Justice

Board of Directors, Lifetime Membership

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers/Wisconsin Association for Justice, 1992

Past President

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers/Wisconsin Association for Justice, 1991

President

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers/Wisconsin Association for Justice, 1990

President-Elect

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers/Wisconsin Association for Justice, 1989

Vice President

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers/Wisconsin Association for Justice, 1988

Secretary

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers/Wisconsin Association for Justice, 1987

Treasurer

American Association for Justice, 1985 - 1986

American Association for Justice, 1986

Co-Vice Chair, Basic Trial Advocacy Course Committee

American Association for Justice, 2000 - Present

Board of Governors, Wisconsin Representative

American Association for Justice, 2001

Member

American Association for Justice, 2004

Co-Chair, Litigation Committee

State Bar of Wisconsin, Treasurer of Litigation Section, 1999

Secretary

State Bar of Wisconsin, Litigation Section, 2001

Vice Chair

State Bar of Wisconsin, Litigation Section, 2002 - 2003

Chair

State Bar of Wisconsin, Litigation Section, 2004

Immediate Past Chairman

Augsburg College, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1992 - 1998

Board of Regents

Alumni Association, Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso, Indiana, 1993 - Present

Board of Directors

Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Washington, D.C., 1993 - 1998

Karate America

Part Owner, Member, Board of Governors

Brain Injury Association of Wisconsin, Inc.

Board Member

Eau Claire YMCA, 2000 - 2004

Board Member

Valparaiso University School of Law, 2003 - Present

National Council Member

Multi-Million Dollar Advocates, 2008

Forum Member

Million Dollar Advocates, 2008

Forum Life Member

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Madison, 1981 - 1984

Products Liability Committee Chairperson,

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1988 - Present

Legislative Committee

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1990

Constitutional/By-Laws/Parliamentary Procedures Committee

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1992 - 2004

Tort Fund Membership Committee

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1992 - Present

Long Range Planning Committee

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1993 - 2002

Tort Fund and Club Taskforce Committee

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1995

Nominating Committee

State Bar of Wisconsin, 1983 - 1989

Lawyer-to-Lawyer Committee

State Bar of Wisconsin, 1984

Attorney Coach, Project Inquiry Mock Trial Competition

State Bar of Wisconsin, Litigation Section, 1988 - 1991

State Director

State Bar of Wisconsin, Litigation Section, 2004

State Chair

State Bar of Wisconsin, 1988 - 1989

Committee on Tort Law

State Bar of Wisconsin, 1990

Ad Hoc Committee, Judicial Administration

State Bar of Wisconsin, Litigation Section, 1998 - 2004

Member of Board of Directors

Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers/Wisconsin Association for Justice

American Association for Justice

Eau Claire County Bar Association

State Bar of Wisconsin

Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, Washington, D.C.