Tom began his legal career in 1999 by clerking for Justice Richard Goldenhersh of the Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court. After clerking for two years Tom joined the firm as an associate and learned under the tutelage of the law firm’s founder Robert E. Becker. Tom became a partner with the firm in 2007.

Over the course of his career Tom has represented various clients ranging from municipalities and school districts to individuals and businesses. He has defended public entities from discrimination claims, employment claims, as well as civil rights claims. Tom has particularly focused his practice on defending law enforcement from civil rights claims. Tom also represents persons injured in motor vehicle accidents and consumers injured by the nefarious actions of large corporations; Tom has obtained millions of dollars in awards for those injured persons. Tom also represents businesses as both corporate attorney and in litigation. Tom is the legal counsel for the Frontier League, the oldest independent professional baseball league in the United States. Tom has represented his business clients as plaintiffs in complex business torts and has defended his business clients from employment claims as well as wage and hour claims. In 2003 Tom became a Commissioner with the Illinois Court of Claims and has overseen hundreds of trials pending before the Illinois Court of Claims.

Tom was born and raised in Belleville, Illinois. He attended Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville graduating in 1991. Tom continued his education by attending the University of Notre Dame and obtained a bachelor of arts degree majoring in pre-medicine and economics. After undergraduate school, Tom attended the University of Illinois, College of Law, and obtained a juris doctorate with an interdisciplinary study in business administration.

Tom lives in Belleville, Illinois with his wife and four children. Tom is active in his community by volunteering for his children’s school and by coaching his children in sports and life. It is Tom’s knowledge, experience and integrity that drive him to be the best possible counselor for his clients.

Bar Admissions

  • State of Illinois, 1999
  • State of Missouri, 2000
  • United States Supreme Court, 2010
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 2006
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2011
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, 2001

Education

  • University of Illinois, College of Law
    • J.D. – 1999
  • University of Notre Dame
    • B.A. – 1995
    • Major: Pre-Professional and Economics

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Missouri Bar Association
  • East St. Louis Bar Association
  • St. Clair County Bar Association
  • Association of Trial Lawyers of American
  • American Bar Association
  • National School Boards of Association, Council of School Attorneys