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