Tom retired from the practice of law in December 2021. Prior to retirement, he practiced in the areas of business, real estate, and employment law. Tom has been associated with the firm since March 2001. He served with associate general counsel for G. Heileman Brewing Company for eight years and as general counsel for Kwik Trip, Inc., a leading convenience store chain in the upper Midwest, for 13 years prior to joining the firm. Tom is a member of the Real Property and Employment Sections of the State Bar of Wisconsin. He is a 1980 graduate of the Marquette Law School and was also a graduate of Marquette University, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree, summa cum laude in 1977.
Tom handled a large variety of real estate related issues, including acquisition/sale of properties, with extensive experience in the commercial field, having participated in more than 250 commercial real estate closings as well as environmental, zoning, permit approval, and condemnation issues. He is also very familiar with the financing of large and mid-sized commercial purchases and sales.
Tom has been involved with counseling and handling employment cases throughout his corporate career and presently with the law firm. His experiences include handling sexual harassment, disability, retaliation, and wage and hour claims.
His business practice included formation of companies and many other facets of corporate practice. He also had a wide range of experience in administrative law in dealing with state and federal agencies as well as dealing with business disputes.
Tom also has been very active in the local community through participation in church organizations and through youth sports organizations.
Representative Experience
Kwik Trip, Inc., Legal Counsel, 1988 –2001
Heileman Brewing Co., Attorney, 1980–1988
Representative Cases
Handled negotiations, drafts Offers to Purchase and all closing documents for clients in acquiring and selling real estate, enabling clients to acquire and sell real estate on favorable terms.
Successfully defended clients, on multiple occasions, being sued for employment discrimination—prepared hearing witnesses and undertook legal defense of the discrimination complaint at the hearing.
Assisted in negotiations and drafted purchase documents for clients interested in acquiring and/or selling a company on favorable terms.
Classes/Seminars Taught
General Practice Seminar, State Bar of Wisconsin, Wausau, Wisconsin, September 23, 2005
Professional & Community Affiliations
Wisconsin Bar Association, 1980–Present
Wisconsin Bar Association, Employment Section, 1991–2021
Wisconsin Bar Association, Real Property Section, 1991–2021
La Crosse County Bar Association, 1980–2021
City of La Crosse, 20055–2008
Member, Flood Plain Committee
City of La Crosse, 2000–2002
Member, Sign Ordinance Committee
Pro Bono Activities
Blessed Sacrament Parish of La Crosse, Wisconsin, 2010–Present
Bridges of Belonging, Board of Directors, Present
La Crosse Diocese Seminarian Endowment… Fund, Board of Directors, Present
St. Ambrose Co., Board of Directors, Present
Blessed Sacrament Endowment Fund, Board of Directors, Present
Habitat for Humanity, Board of Directors, 2005 –2013
Education
- J.D., Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, (1980)
- B.A. History Major, Political Science Minor, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, (1977), Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa with honors
Admissions
Wisconsin, 1980
U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 1980