Tom is a principal at Gray Plant Mooty and practices in the areas of environmental and land use law, government relations, public law, and finance. He represents a wide variety of public and private clients before local, state, and federal government. Tom was the Hennepin County Attorney from 1979-1991 and also served on the Minneapolis City Council from 1973-1977.
He lectures frequently on environmental law and other topics and has published numerous articles for both legal and business audiences. Tom recently provided legal counsel for the environmental review of the new Gopher football stadium and the Twins’ baseball stadium. Tom regularly assists developer and landowner clients in land use issues, particularly relating to environmental remediation, project financing, and development agreements.
Tom is an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas Law School. He has served on the board of directors for numerous state and national organizations and has been the recipient of many awards including the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Quality Award, the President’s Award from the National District Attorney’s Association, and the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Professional Excellence Award.
Presentations
- "Current Legal Aspects of Green," 3rd Annual Minnesota Build Green Conference, March 26, 2010
- "Transportation in the 21st Century, The Minneapolis Bridge Collapse, Its Causes and Ways," International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) Mid-Year Seminar, April 20, 2009
Education
- London School of Economics, LL.M., with distinction, 1992
- University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 1970
- University of Minnesota, B.S. in physics, with honors, 1967
Professional Activities
Honors and Distinctions
- CornerHouse Sweetheart for Kids Award, 2009
- Outstanding Service to the Profession, Minnesota Lawyer, 2008
- Council on Crime and Justice Equal Justice Award, 2008
- Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL) Profiles in Courage Award, 2008
- Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Quality Award
- The President’s Award from the National District Attorney’s Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association’s Professional Excellence Award
Community Involvement
- Project Innocence, board member
- WATCH, Advisory board member
- Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association, member
- University of Minnesota Institutional Conflict Review Committee
- Council on Crime and Justice, past president
- Bench and Bar Committee, Hennepin County Bar Association, former chair
- Advisor to numerous political candidates