Attorney
608-821-8211
cgapen@law4kids.com

Carol brings patience, caring, creativity and an incisive mind to her practice. She has been involved with issues affecting children and families for many years, first as a drug and alcohol counselor, a hospital social worker, a child protective services worker, and since 1988, as an attorney licensed to practice in Wisconsin.

Professional Activities

Carol writes and presents frequently about child related issues to attorneys, grandparents, foster parents, social workers and others. She has authored briefs in the United States and Wisconsin Supreme Courts, including an amicus brief supporting grandparents in the Troxel case. She has also worked though the legislature and the courts to develop laws to protect and nurture children. Carol has been a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys since the early 1990s, and she is a charter member of the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technologies Attorneys.

Carol received the Angel in Adoption award in 2007, a national award honoring her outstanding advocacy in adoption and foster care issues.  In 2011 she was named the Woman of the Year by the Wisconsin Law Journal.

Carol is a founder of Adoptions of Wisconsin, Inc. and serves on its board of directors. She is also a founder, owner and officer of The Surrogacy Center, LLC.

Education

Carol earned her law degree cum laude in 1988 from the University of Wisconsin Law School. She received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1968.

Personal Interests

When she is not practicing law, Carol enjoys accompanying her dogs to the dog park and exploring the outdoors. She and her husband, Gary, have three grown sons and one grandson.

Areas of Practice

Adoption
Child custody, placement and support
Guardianships
Grandparents’ rights
Foster parents’ rights
LGBT issues
Surrogacy/assisted reproduction