Thomas M. Bultman, a Sumter native, was born in 1953. He is the son of D. G. F. Bultman, Jr. and Helen M. Bultman. He has three sisters and a brother. His sisters, before their retirement, were teachers in the public schools and his brother, who is also retired, was employed at CNN as a producer and writer.

Judge Bultman graduated with honors from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. While at The Citadel he played varsity soccer for four years and was the team’s co-captain his senior year. He then attended the University of South Carolina School of Law where he graduated In May 1978 and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in November 1978. Judge Bultman is admitted to practice before the United States District Court of South Carolina, U.S. Tax Court, and Court of Veterans Affairs, and he is also certified was a Family Law Mediator.

Judge Bultman joined The Bryan Law firm in Sumter as an associate in 1987 and became a partner in 1992. He was the firm’s managing partner before becoming a Family Court Judge. Prior to joining the firm, he was an Assistant Solicitor for the Third Judicial Circuit, as well as an associate in the Sumter firm of Richardson, James & Player. His practice focused primarily on family law, but later in his career he also handled Social Security and VA disability cases.

In April 1992 Judge Bultman became a Fellow in the Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He served as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President, President-Elect, President, and Immediate Past President for the South Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Judge Bultman was a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) and the National Organization of Veterans Advocates (NOVA). He was a frequent lecturer at the South Carolina Bar’s Continuing Legal Education Programs on Family Law.

Judge Bultman received the South Carolina Pro Bono Service Award in 1989 and was named as a Super Lawyer in Family Law by Super Lawyers Magazine in 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018, in addition to receiving other awards and recognition.

Judge Bultman, who is an avid golfer, is married to Marsha S. Bultman. He has two adult daughters, three grandchildren, three step-children, and two step-grandchildren.