Brenner was a pioneer in family law

Son of ex-Waukesha DA remembered as 'winner'

By AMY RABIDEAU SILVERS asilvers@journalsentinel.com, Journal Sentinel

Thursday, September 12, 2002

Thomas S. Brenner was, colleagues agree, a person whom anyone would want for a lawyer or a friend.

"I would call him the dean of family lawyers in Waukesha County," said Waukesha County Circuit Judge Patrick Snyder. "He was among the first in southeastern Wisconsin to dedicate his legal practice to family law."

Brenner died of lung cancer Sunday. He was 67.

Brenner grew up in Waukesha, where he remained a lifelong resident. He graduated from Carroll College in 1957 and from the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison in 1961.

His father, Leon Brenner, was a former Waukesha County district attorney in private practice. Father and son began practicing together. Early on, Thomas Brenner did a lot of criminal law but increasingly became interested in the changing field of family practice.

"The family laws were changing throughout the 1970s and '80s," Snyder said. "He was in the field working with us at that time."

Friends and family recalled Brenner as a gifted and intelligent lawyer, saying that no one was ever better prepared in court. He was a man with a delightfully dry sense of humor.

"If I would misspeak, he would delight in pointing it out," Snyder said. "And he did it in such a way he could get away with it."

Brenner also earned a reputation as the lawyer you didn't want to not have, said his daughter, lawyer Laura Brenner. Other survivors include his son, Lee, also a lawyer, and daughter Tracy, a medical student.

"He used to tell me many of his referrals came from people he had not represented," Laura said. "They would tell their friends, 'Go get Brenner. You don't want to be on the other side.' "

In at least one case, he represented the other spouse in a subsequent divorce, she said.

"He did family matters," Laura said. "And then he'd do their taxes, and then they'd have him do their wills."

As time went on, Brenner did less trial work.

"You get more settlements, not less, if they know you're not afraid to try a case," she said.

Brenner also advocated for professional standards through the Wisconsin chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, including as president, his daughter said.

Brenner was a dedicated family man, someone who understood the importance of families staying and playing together. He loved sports, especially tennis, organizing family events.

Brenner also loved gambling -- craps and blackjack in Las Vegas were favorites -- but never bet much money.

"He was a winner -- in his law practice, in his integrity, with his family life, with his marriage and children and friends," said Jennifer Wall, his law partner for 25 years. "And more lightheartedly, he was a winner in sports and gambling. The guy was just a winner."

Survivors in addition to daughters Laura and Tracy and son Lee are his wife, Karen; sister Roberta Garber; a grandson; and other relatives.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon today at the Goodman- Bensman Funeral Home, 4750 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. The service will follow at noon at the funeral home.

Copyright 2002 Journal Sentinel Inc. Note: This notice does not apply to those news items already copyrighted and received through wire services or other media
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.