Melissa S. Kampmann

Attorney

Banner photo of Melissa S. Kampmann

Melissa S. Kampmann

Attorney

Banner photo of Melissa S. Kampmann

Melissa S. Kampmann

Attorney

500 N First Street, Suite 8000
P.O. Box 8050
Wausau, WI 54402-8050
Phone: 715.845.4336
Toll Free: 800.477.8050
Fax: 715.845.2718

Services

Professional Recognition:

  • Best Lawyers in America® (2020)
  • Young Athena Award nominee (2009)
  • Wisconsin Law Journal – Up and Coming Lawyers (2009)
  • 20 Under Forty Honoree (2014), Daily Herald Media
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2015), Super Lawyer, Estate and Probate (2022, 2023)

Melissa chairs the Trusts & Estates Practice Group.  As a seasoned estate planner, Melissa counsels individuals and families to create a plan for the transfer and preservation of their assets during their lifetime and at death.

Using sophisticated techniques, Melissa works with a client’s trusted advisors to create a flexible life plan that meets their goals, both emotional and financial. Melissa also assists family members and friends of her clients in working through probate and trust administration.

She recently received her Certified Financial Planner certification which she uses to better advise clients on their estate plan, retirement options, and the transfer of wealth. Serving as trustee of family trusts, she carries out client intentions through the firm’s Fiduciary Services department.  Melissa also works closely with business owners to create a plan of business succession.  This involves creative tax planning and a deep understanding of family and business dynamics.

Melissa also has extensive experience representing exempt organizations. She provides counsel in matters such as obtaining and retaining tax exempt status and compliance with federal code to avoid tax penalties.

As a direct result of her straightforward approach, Melissa is frequently sought after to present on estate planning topics whether it be forums for fellow attorneys through the State Bar of Wisconsin or for nonprofit organizations.

Recent engagements include:

  • Creation of a business succession and wealth transfer plan for large manufacturer business owner
  • Advised individuals on the most tax-efficient methods of charitable giving in their estate plan and lifetime gifting using charitable trusts
  • Created a plan using limited liability companies for the management and administration of family property for future generations
  • Structured and drafted sophisticated documents to transfer to future generations with the least tax consequence

Melissa chairs the Trusts & Estates Practice Group.  As a seasoned estate planner, Melissa counsels individuals and families to create a plan for the transfer and preservation of their assets during their lifetime and at death.

Using sophisticated techniques, Melissa works with a client’s trusted advisors to create a flexible life plan that meets their goals, both emotional and financial. Melissa also assists family members and friends of her clients in working through probate and trust administration.

She recently received her Certified Financial Planner certification which she uses to better advise clients on their estate plan, retirement options, and the transfer of wealth. Serving as trustee of family trusts, she carries out client intentions through the firm’s Fiduciary Services department.  Melissa also works closely with business owners to create a plan of business succession.  This involves creative tax planning and a deep understanding of family and business dynamics.

Melissa also has extensive experience representing exempt organizations. She provides counsel in matters such as obtaining and retaining tax exempt status and compliance with federal code to avoid tax penalties.

As a direct result of her straightforward approach, Melissa is frequently sought after to present on estate planning topics whether it be forums for fellow attorneys through the State Bar of Wisconsin or for nonprofit organizations.

Recent engagements include:

  • Creation of a business succession and wealth transfer plan for large manufacturer business owner
  • Advised individuals on the most tax-efficient methods of charitable giving in their estate plan and lifetime gifting using charitable trusts
  • Created a plan using limited liability companies for the management and administration of family property for future generations
  • Structured and drafted sophisticated documents to transfer to future generations with the least tax consequence

Civic Activities

  • American Heart Association – Heartwalk Coordinator (2004–2007)
  • YWCA – Director (2004–2008); Men Who Cook Chairperson (2008–2010)
  • UW Alumni Association – Vice President (2005–2010)
  • Family Counseling Services – Director (2008–2011)
  • Aspirus Patient Rights Committee – Member (2009)
  • Aspirus Bioethics Committee – Member (2010–2013)
  • Paul and Ruth Schultz Foundation – Secretary (2010–present)
  • St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation – Board Member (2010–2017)
  • NTC Foundation, Inc. – Board Member (2011–2023), Co-Chair – Day for NTC Students
  • Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – Advocate, Volunteer, Speaker (2012–present)
  • University of Wisconsin Law School – Adjunct Faculty for the Lawyering Skills Course (2012, 2015)
  • Woodson YMCA – Board Member (2017–2023)
  • Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin – Board Member (2018–present)
  • Children’s Imaginarium, A Museum for Kids – Board Member (2022–present)

Professional Activities

  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel – Fellow (2017–present)
  • Family Firm Institute – Member
  • Marathon County Estate Planner Forum – Member
  • State Bar of Wisconsin – Real Property, Probate & Trust Section Member; Wisconsin Bar Association Drafting Committee
  • Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce – Board Member (2010–2017); President (2015–2016)

Insights

Articles

Presentations

  • Utilizing Trust Protectors in Practice, 42nd Annual Estate Planning Update 2021 – 12/4/21
  • Hot topics related to nonprofit legal issues, The Building Blocks of Nonprofit Leadership, sponsored by Church Mutual – 10/3/19
  • Trusts & Wills Workshop:  Top 12 Estate Planning Topics – 2/18/19
  • Fiduciary Responsibilities in Wisconsin, State Bar of Wisconsin 39th Annual Estate Planning Update – 11/16/18
  • Tax & Estate Planning Update, Ruder Ware Seminar – 4/26/18
  • Controlling Land Use in the Future (to woodland owners around the State), University of WI Extension – 4/25/18
  • Available Creditor Protection for Married Couples, 38th Annual Estate Planning Update, State Bar of Wisconsin – 11/10/17
  • Protecting Your Assets, Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce (E3YP) Elevating Your Future – 4/16/15
  • Creating a Legacy for Your Family, Marshfield Clinic Physicians – 4/15/15
  • Borrowing Money When Collateral is Held in Trust, 35th Annual Estate Planning Update – 11/14/14
  • Protecting IRAs and Retirement Benefits for the Next Generation, Professional Advisors Fall Symposium – 10/11/11
  • Preserving Family Land Seminar – Succession Planning for Future Generations – 7/30/11
  • Planning for the Future, presented at “Am I on the Right Path?”, Preparing for the Future seminar sponsored by Marshfield Clinic – Presentations in Wausau and Marshfield – 4/11/11 and 4/12/11
  • Business Succession Planning, Estate Planning & Asset Protection Planning – 3/15/11
  • Estate Planning for Wisconsin Physicians – Presentation at Marshfield Clinics in Marshfield and Wausau – 10/12/10 and 10/18/10
  • Drafting Trusts to Achieve Creditor Protection – Presentation at 31st Annual Estate Planning Update, State Bar of Wisconsin – 11/19/10
  • Modern Estate Planning Made Easy – 11/14/10
  • Saving the Family Cabin – 8/5/10
  • The Importance of Estate Planning – 10/20/09
  • Preparing for the Future: Special Needs Trust – 2/26/08
  • Protect your Family, Provide for their Future – 9/20/07

 

Civic Activities

  • American Heart Association – Heartwalk Coordinator (2004–2007)
  • YWCA – Director (2004–2008); Men Who Cook Chairperson (2008–2010)
  • UW Alumni Association – Vice President (2005–2010)
  • Family Counseling Services – Director (2008–2011)
  • Aspirus Patient Rights Committee – Member (2009)
  • Aspirus Bioethics Committee – Member (2010–2013)
  • Paul and Ruth Schultz Foundation – Secretary (2010–present)
  • St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation – Board Member (2010–2017)
  • NTC Foundation, Inc. – Board Member (2011–2023), Co-Chair – Day for NTC Students
  • Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – Advocate, Volunteer, Speaker (2012–present)
  • University of Wisconsin Law School – Adjunct Faculty for the Lawyering Skills Course (2012, 2015)
  • Woodson YMCA – Board Member (2017–2023)
  • Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin – Board Member (2018–present)
  • Children’s Imaginarium, A Museum for Kids – Board Member (2022–present)

Professional Activities

  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel – Fellow (2017–present)
  • Family Firm Institute – Member
  • Marathon County Estate Planner Forum – Member
  • State Bar of Wisconsin – Real Property, Probate & Trust Section Member; Wisconsin Bar Association Drafting Committee
  • Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce – Board Member (2010–2017); President (2015–2016)

500 N First Street, Suite 8000
P.O. Box 8050
Wausau, WI 54402-8050
Phone: 715.845.4336
Toll Free: 800.477.8050
Fax: 715.845.2718

Services

Professional Recognition:

  • Best Lawyers in America® (2020)
  • Young Athena Award nominee (2009)
  • Wisconsin Law Journal – Up and Coming Lawyers (2009)
  • 20 Under Forty Honoree (2014), Daily Herald Media
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2015), Super Lawyer, Estate and Probate (2022, 2023)

Education

  • B.B.A., University of Wisconsin – Madison (2000)
  • J.D. (cum laude), University of Wisconsin Law School – Madison (2003)

Admissions

  • Wisconsin Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

Certifications

Certified Financial Planner