New attorney has tie to Supreme Court marshal

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As Wisconsin Supreme Court Marshal, Tina Nodolf always has to keep an eye on the crowd.

But she was especially focused on one individual who appeared in court for almost an hour on the morning of May 19.

The marshal looked at this person with admiration, rather than suspicion though, since it was her second cousin, Aaron K. Nodolf, who was being sworn in as a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Several justices administered the attorney’s oath to more than 100 Marquette University Law School graduates throughout the morning.

“I get a list of the people who are going to be admitted and I was like, there’s a Nodolf who is going to be a lawyer? That’s awesome,” said Nodolf, who has been the Supreme Court Marshal for five years.

After the ceremony, the two shared a hug in front of the Supreme Court bench and spent a few minutes catching up as best they could. The cousins had not seen each other in almost 15 years.

Aaron Nodolf, 30, was surprised to learn that his cousin was not an attorney, but proud to find out he was the first Nodolf to earn a law degree.

“I didn’t even know she was here [at the Supreme Court],” said Aaron Nodolf. “But I did know she was in the law field.”

Needless to say, the young attorney has plenty on his mind. Nodolf will join the Intellectual Property Practice at Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP, in Waukesha. He spent the last three years at the firm working as a patent engineering agent.

“I’ll be doing the same type of work, but now I’ll be able to give legal advice and draft more of the opinions, which will be more exciting,” said Nodolf, who lives in Menomonee Falls.

Even though he has a relative in the high court, Nodolf does not expect any favors.

“I wouldn’t expect that,” said Aaron Nodolf with a smile. “I would expect a little harder treatment actually.”