Prior to his transition to “of counsel” status, Tom led the firm's Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice. He regularly assisted employers in the design, documentation and implementation of qualified and non-qualified retirement plans and executive compensation programs (including equity based compensation programs) and compliance with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). He was a regular speaker, both nationally and locally, on issues involving executive compensation and the responsibilities of fiduciaries of ESOPs and other benefit plans.
Tom also was a member of the firms five-person Executive Committee from 1999 to 2017 and continued to serve on the expanded Executive Committee until his retirement as of January 1, 2019.
Tom continues to be available to consult with the other members of the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation group as needed.
University of Illinois College of Law (J.D., with honors, 1975)
Notes and Comments Editor, University of Illinois Law Forum
Member, Order of the Coif
Northern Illinois University (B.S., Finance, with honors, 1972)
Wall Street Journal Award (highest GPA in Finance Department)
American Bar Association
Maricopa County Bar Association
American College of Employee Benefits Counsel
American Bar Foundation
American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, Charter Fellow
American Bar Foundation, Fellow
The Best Lawyers in America®, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (1995-2023), Mutual Funds Law (1995-2023)
Lawyer of the Year, Phoenix Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2013)
Southwest Super Lawyers®, Employee Benefits/ERISA (2007, 2011-2021)
Super Lawyers®, Employee Benefits/ERISA - Corporate Counsel Edition (2008)
Ranking Arizona: The Best of Arizona Attorneys, Employee Benefits Law (2010-2011)