BACKGROUND

Tom knew at an early age that he wanted to become a trial lawyer. He studied political science at Illinois Benedictine, before attending Wayne State University Law School, where he was involved in the Student Trial Advocacy Program.

Since 1990, Tom has tried almost a hundred jury trials, both civil and criminal, throughout Michigan. He has had jury trials in 20 county Circuit Courts and Federal Court. Tom has litigated in more than half of Michigan’s 83 counties and he has successfully argued to the Michigan Court of Appeals dozens of times. Tom also serves as a mediator, arbitrator and case evaluator throughout West Michigan.

Tom has served on the Board of Trustees for the Grand Rapids Bar Association and the Justice Foundation of West Michigan. Tom is the 2021 recipient of the Grand Rapids Bar Association President’s Award. He serves on the State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners. In 2022, he was accepted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Tom was selected to be a Super Lawyer in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and was also voted as a Top Lawyer by Grand Rapids Magazine in 2023, 2024 and 2025. He was also accepted as a Michigan State Bar Foundation Fellow in 2024. In 2025 Tom was inducted into the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame.

Tom and his wife enjoy spending time with their 5 boys. Tom is an amateur photographer, he enjoys golfing, reading, being outside and staying fit. He roots for the Wolverines on Saturday and the Lions on Sunday.