Attorney and Staff Profiles - Thompson Law, P.C.

Attorneys

Carolyn Thompson

Carolyn A. Thompson founded Thompson Law, P.C. in 2003 in order to create an estate and business planning law firm that helps pass on the legacy, values, and stewardship of its clients. Carolyn has sought out, developed and trained attorneys who are dedicated to listening to a client’s life story, including their goals and concerns. She and her team are committed to creating a customized estate or business plan to address the individual circumstances of each client.

Carolyn describes herself as an entrepreneur with the heart of a teacher who happens to practice law in the beautiful world of keeping families families, farms farms, and businesses businesses. The goal of the Thompson Law, P.C. team is to positively impact families for generations to come.

Thompson Law, P.C. is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, a national organization focused on serving the needs of estate planning attorneys and helping them deliver the highest possible service to their clients. The Academy is an exclusive organization whose members must complete ongoing, extensive education requirements in advanced business and estate planning.

Carolyn A. Thompson, a South Dakota native, became a Certified Public Accountant in 1992. She then earned her law degree from the University of South Dakota, where she received and maintained a full-tuition scholarship. This broad foundation of knowledge has proven invaluable as she counsels clients with a wide-range of estate and business planning needs. Carolyn is licensed in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. She is a member of the South Dakota Bar Association, the North Dakota Bar Association, the Minnesota Bar Association, the Iowa Bar Association, Wealth Counsel, the Sioux Falls Estate Planning Council, Prairie Family Business Association, and the Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.

Kelly Benson

Kelly Benson began her career in law as a legal secretary while finishing up her undergraduate degree at Indiana University. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Nebraska. Along with her J.D., she also gained her Mrs. when she met and married a fellow Husker Law Student, Travis, who is also an attorney here at Thompson Law. When not helping clients through the Trust Administration process, Kelly enjoys long talks and walks with her family, friends, and Lord. She is also privileged to parent 5 children who are involved in various sports, music and theater activities.

“Your ordinary contact with God takes place where your fellow men, your yearnings, your work and your affections are. There you have your daily encounter with Christ.” ~St. Josemaria Escriva

Travis Benson

Travis Benson has dedicated his professional life to helping individuals and families by listening, gathering information, and advising on a vast range of issues, including legal, fiscal, public policy, and familial. Prior to joining Thompson Law in 2017, he represented the Diocese of Sioux Falls for fifteen years as legal counsel, lobbyist, and the Director of the Office of Marriage, Family & Respect Life, working alongside his wife Kelly. He is a member of both the South Dakota and Minnesota Bar.

Travis is a proud native of South Dakota, growing up on a grain and farrow to finish pig farm five miles east of Trent. A graduate of Augustana University, he met the love of his life at the University of Nebraska College of Law. Kelly is a Hoosier, coming from North Central Indiana. They are the proud parents of five beautiful children. When not practicing law, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing with his children, attending sporting events, camping, reading, and following the Cornhuskers.

“I am excited about the opportunity to assist clients with their estate, trust, and business planning needs. Midwesterners are some of the most honest, friendly, and hardworking people I know. I love meeting with clients and helping them plan their family legacy with confidence and the assurance that their loved ones will be cared for now and in the future.”

“It is an honor to be part of the Thompson Law team, where faith principles are not checked at the door, and blessings are counted with clients on a daily basis.”

Doug Thesenvitz

It has been said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Doug loves helping people protect their families, their values and their wealth.

Doug is one of six children, born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He graduated from Washington High School, The University of South Dakota with degrees in Political Science and Philosophy, and The University of South Dakota School of Law in 1988. Doug has been practicing law in South Dakota since 1988. Doug has served South Dakota’s courts as a judicial law clerk, the people of Minnehaha County as a deputy state’s attorney, and the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe as a tribal prosecutor. In private practice, Doug served a variety of clients in a broad field of practice until being drawn to estate planning, elder law and business succession planning.

Doug was the founder and principal of Thesenvitz & Mickelson, LLP for 18 years until one day he got a call from Carolyn Thompson. Doug believes that call was an answer to a very specific prayer of his. He joined Thompson Law, P.C. on May 1, 2018. Now Doug serves families and individuals with wills, trusts, probates and trust administration. He also advises family business clients on a variety of business matters, including formation, maintenance and succession.

“Helping you plan for your family and their protection and future, as well as preserving your family’s harmony, legacy and wealth is my passion. So, now I don’t really work. I help people make their lives better, and that is what I love to do.”

Brooke Harms

Brooke Harms is an Associate Attorney at Thompson Law, P.C. She is a Nebraska native and a passionate Cornhusker fan. Brooke attended Doane University in Crete, Nebraska for her undergraduate education and received her Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln, Nebraska. After graduating with distinction in May of 2017, she moved to Sioux Falls to study for the South Dakota Bar Exam and work part time at Thompson Law. She also managed to squeeze in getting married to her amazing husband, Grant. Brooke passed the bar and joined the Thompson Law team full-time in the beginning of August 2017. Brooke enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends and loves to play volleyball, basketball, and racquetball. She is also an avid reader and especially enjoys historical fiction.

“I am so blessed to work at a firm where every day is an exciting adventure and I have the opportunity to work with incredible colleagues. The best part of my day is meeting with clients and learning about their lives, families, and goals.”

Paralegals

Renee Mettler

Joining the firm 15 years ago, Renee has had many roles during her employment. As a Production and Signing Paralegal for the firm, her current position consists of helping new and existing clients with their estate planning needs whether that is answering questions on the phone or in person, helping to produce documents, preparing deeds and other asset re-titling forms, and meeting with clients to sign any new documents.

“My husband and I live in Hartford, and together we have four wonderful children. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling when possible with my husband, playing cards and reading. I am a die-hard Husker fan and enjoy going to games each year. Family is of great importance to us and we believe it is one of the greatest things to be blessed with in life, which makes taking care of our clients and their families such a great job to have.”

Elaine Rye

Elaine joined Thompson Law, P.C. in April 2007. Elaine Rye is a Paralegal. As a Paralegal, she has the privilege to assist the estate representatives and attorneys with the details of estate administration and probate matters for families who have lost loved ones.

“In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors going camping, bicycling, and geocaching. I also enjoy photography and creating things by sewing or repurposing items. I am married with three grown daughters.”

Darylynn Plucker

Darylynn joined the firm in October 2016. As a paralegal, she assists in document production for estate planning, corporations, guardianships and conservatorships. She works closely with team members to ensure they have what they need for meetings and assists in answering questions on the phone and in person. She received her Paralegal Certification through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) in February 2012 and is a member of the South Dakota Paralegal Association.

“My husband and I thoroughly enjoy the great outdoors. Every summer we spend a week of camping and fishing on Lake Oahe with our family. We have three grown children who have blessed us with beautiful grandchildren. They keep us very busy year-round with sporting activities and 4-H. We have a special needs dog, Walker, that is our baby and goes everywhere with us. I also have a passion for antiquing and repurposing.”

Kayla Wheeler

Kayla Wheeler joined the Thompson Law team in July, 2017, as a Document Production and Signing Paralegal. She earned a degree at National American University in Paralegal Studies and has since been dedicated to serving families and individuals with their legal needs. Kayla’s position focuses on preparing estate planning documents and assisting clients throughout the signing process.

In addition to being a part of the Thompson Law team, Kayla appreciates spending time with family and friends. In September, 2016, Kayla was married to Tyler and they have a Boston Terrier, Penny, who they most certainly adore. When given the opportunity, together they love to feed their curiosity with adventure and new experiences.

“Purpose is the reason you journey. Passion is the fire that lights the way.” – Unknown Author

Office Manager

Joan Rensch

Joan Rensch is Thompson Law’s Office Manager. Her main responsibilities are to ensure that the office runs efficiently and that the attorney and paralegal staff have everything they need to do their jobs successfully. She is a Certified Human Resource Professional through both the Society of Human Resources Management and the Human Resources Certification Institute.

“Helping others succeed is the niche I comfortably enjoy. Besides serving the wonderful staff at Thompson Law, I have the privilege of fulfilling this role in other areas including wife of Lance for over 30 years, mom of five wonderful children, and ministry involvement at our church. For fun and relaxation, I enjoy cooking, baking and playing with our mini-dachshund, Pepsi. When time permits, I therapeutically connect to my Iowa farm roots through gardening and canning.”

Legal Assistant

Wendy LaVergne

Wendy re-joined the Thompson Law team in August 2017 to assist with Trust Administration and Probate matters. She had previously worked several years at Thompson Law assisting
clients with their estate planning needs. In addition, Wendy has several years of experience working with asset titles and deeds and is excited to put her knowledge to work for Thompson Law clients.

A great joy in Wendy’s life is volunteering with Workers on Wheels, assisting the elderly in their homes with a variety of tasks including grocery shopping, cleaning and lawn mowing. She also enjoys serving at a local domestic violence shelter. Wendy and her husband have great fun spending time and energy with their nine grandchildren.

Jenny Jungen

Jenny Jungen joined Thompson Law, P.C. in January, 2017. Jenny is a Legal Assistant, supporting attorneys in preparing necessary documents and gathering information for estates.

“I appreciate spending time with my family and friends as well as my horses, dog and cat. I also enjoy reading, hiking and collecting specimens, whether large or small, for my rock garden.”

Proofreader

Jon Walker

Jon Walker proofreads our legal documents to make sure they are ready for signing.

He is a journalism graduate of Iowa State University who worked as a newspaper reporter before joining Thompson in 2015. He has a great like for newspapers, baseball box scores and other things in print, and hopes someday to write a book. He is married to his favorite proofreader, Karen. Together they enjoy hiking, playing Scrabble, reading the Psalms and catching up with their four daughters, who also enjoy baseball.

“The family dinner table is one of the Lord’s best ideas.”

Funding Assistant

Zach Fontenille

Zach Fontenille grew up with a fascination for finance. He followed his interests and earned a degree in financial services at Southeast Technical Institute. Prior to joining the Thompson Law family as a funding assistant, Zach spent time in bank credit operations. Throughout everything, he and his wife, Paige, serve as soldiers in the South Dakota Army National Guard, Zach as a Signaler and Paige as a Logistics Specialist.

“Jesus, family, waterfowl hunting, motorcycles, and cars are the most important things in life–in that order. I prefer to pass time reading a book, engaging in stimulating conversation, or being outdoors.”

Executive Assistant

Kait Lang

Kait joined the Thompson Law team in August 2017 as Executive Assistant. Working directly with Carolyn Thompson and the staff of Thompson Law, Kait performs administrative and clerical assistance to enhance workflow of the office. Prior to joining Thompson Law, Kait obtained a Bachelor’s Degree from Gustavus Adolphus College and an MBA from the University of Sioux Falls. Kait was born and raised in Sioux Falls and enjoys coaching health and exercise classes in her spare time.

“You are perfect. To think anything less is as pointless as a river thinking that it’s got too many curves or that it moves too slowly or that its rapids are too rapid. Says who? You’re on a journey with no defined beginning, middle or end. There are no wrong twists and turns. There is just being. And your job is to be as you as you can be.” – Jen Sincero

Receptionist

Caitlyn Anema

Caitlyn joined the Thompson Law team in June of 2017. As the receptionist, she enjoys interacting with clients, scheduling appointments, and assisting her fellow team members to ensure that the office runs smoothly.

“Caitlyn and her husband live in Hills, Minnesota. They enjoy spending time with their family and friends, going to the lake, snowmobiling, and cheering on the Hawkeyes.”

Karie Weiss

Karie joined the Thompson Law team in February of 2018. As a receptionist, she enjoys meeting new clients, scheduling appointments and assisting other office staff with various duties. Karie is a native of Parkston, SD and has lived in Sioux Falls for the last 16 years. In her free time, she and her husband Andy enjoy antiquing, hitting the bike trails and remodeling their 1920’s historical home. She also keeps busy with her two grown children Jake and Madisyn Rae.

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” – James 4:6