About Tom

Registered Civil Mediator and civil litigation attorney licensed in Illinois and Indiana with first chair jury trial experience as in-house counsel to three major insurance carriers. Skilled in directing legal staff in all phases of litigation matters. Known for building and ethically managing law firms that partner with internal clients while aggressively defending external clients. Recognized for directing successful start-ups, developing and leading teams, mentoring staff and implementing new technology. Excellent communicator highly skilled in negotiating, conflict resolution, and client relationship development.

Specialties: Registered Civil Mediator, Insurance defense, civil litigation, mediations, arbitrations, negotiations, jury trials, bench trials, discovery, investigations, auto/trucking accidents, premises liability, and foodborne illness.

• I was born, raised and attended school in Northwest Indiana. As one of eight children, I worked full-time at three hospitals in Lake County while earning my undergraduate and law school degrees.
• As a civil litigator licensed in Indiana and Illinois I have over 40 first chair jury trials as in-house counsel to three Fortune 100 insurance carriers.
• Court room experience in handling high exposure civil litigation cases in the areas of Insurance defense, Auto/trucking accidents, Construction injuries, Premises liability – Slip & falls, dog bites, and Foodborne illness from inception to jury verdict.
• As a Managing Attorney I managed legal staff in all phases of litigation to produce successful resolutions and outcomes.
• I have directed successful start-ups, mergers, developed and led teams, mentored staff and implemented new technology.
• I have served as Judge Pro Tem for various Superior Courtrooms in Lake County, Indiana.
• Licenses:
  • Registered Civil Mediator – State of Indiana.
  • Illinois State Bar and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
  • Indiana State Bar and U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.
• Education:
  • Juris Doctor - John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois.
  • Bachelor of Science - Data Processing and Info Systems, Indiana University, Gary, Indiana.
  • Associate of Applied Science - Computer Technology, Purdue University, Hammond, Indiana.

• Insurance Designations – Insurance Institute of America, Malvern, Pennsylvania:
  • CPCU - Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter
  • ARM - Associate in Risk Management
  • AIM - Associate in Management
  • AIT- Associate in Information Technology

• Presentations:
  • National Business Institute – Continuing Legal Education Seminars:
    • 2015 - “Indiana Mediation: Start-to-Finish”
    • 2014 - “Mediation in Indiana: Keys to Effective Settlement Negotiations”
    • 2011 - “Building Your Civil Trial Skills”
    • 2010 - “Dirty Litigation Tactics: How to Deal with the Rambo Litigator”
• Professional Associations:
  • Indiana State Bar - Member since 1991
  • Lake County Indiana Bar - Member since 1991
  • Porter County Indiana Bar - Member since 2018
• Community Involvement:
  • NW Indiana Volunteer Lawyers - 20+ years of providing legal services to persons in need.
  • State of Indiana “We The People” speech competition - 15+ years serving as Judge for a Constitutional speech program.
  • Purdue Northwest Westville campus - Hyde Park Forum - 10+ years serving as Judge for a speech competition.
  • Valparaiso Police Department K-9 Unit - Fundraising member since 2013.
  • Indiana University Northwest - 15 years faculty member for Kids College.
  • PTA President for two terms.