Tom is a principal at Gray Plant Mooty and practices in the areas of regulatory and legislative affairs, public law and finance, and environmental and land use law. 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 served on the Minneapolis City Council from 1973-1977.
He lectures frequently on legislative, regulatory, and environmental issues and has published numerous articles for both legal and business audiences. He has provided counsel in many high-profile matters including a recent U.S. Senate investigation of higher education institutions. Tom recently provided legal counsel for the environmental review of the Gopher football stadium and the Twins’ baseball stadium. He regularly assists developer and landowner clients in land use issues, particularly relating to environmental remediation, project financing, and development agreements.
Tom has been an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas Law School. He has also 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
- “Legal Developments in Environmental Review and Permitting,” Minnesota Chapter, American Planners Association Annual Conference, September 28, 2011
- “I-35W Bridge Collapse: GPM’s Special Investigation for the Minnesota Legislature,” GPM Forum, July 17, 2011
- “Minnesota State Government Shutdown 2011– Legal Issues and Remedies,” GPM 15th Annual Health Law Conference, July 2011
- “Government Investigations: The Tricks, Traps, and Technicalities,” GPM White Collar Roundtable, April 14, 2011
- “Minnesota False Claims Act,” The Minnesota County Attorneys Association Webinar, July 28, 2010
- “Letter from St. Paul– 2010 Health Care Legislation,” GPM 14th Annual Health Law Conference, July 2010
- “Current Legal Aspects of Green,” 3rd Annual Minnesota Build Green Conference, March 26, 2010
- “Minnesota False Claims Act,” GPM Health Care Fraud Roundtable, March 17, 2010
- “Angel Investor Tax Credit Legislation in Minnesota,” Wisconsin Angel Network, January 28, 2010
- “Minnesota False Claims Act,” GPM Health Law Forum, July 16, 2009
- “Transportation in the 21st Century, The I-35W Bridge Collapse, Its Causes and Lessons,” International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) Mid-Year Seminar, April 20, 2009
- “A ‘Big Picture’ Perspective on Health Care Developments,” Health and Human Services Legislation Roundtable, February 5, 2009
- “Land Use and Sustainability,” Minnesota Business Journal CLE, September 5, 2008
Education
- London School of Economics, LL.M., with distinction, 1992
- University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 1970
- University of Minnesota, Bachelor of Physics, with honors, 1967
Professional Activities
Honors and Distinctions
- Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership
- Klobuchar for Minnesota 2012 campaign, president
- 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
- University of Minnesota Institutional Conflict Review Panel
- Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership, board member
- Klobuchar for Minnesota 2012 campaign, president
- Project Innocence, board member
- WATCH, Advisory board member
- Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association, member
- Council on Crime and Justice, past president
- Bench and Bar Committee, Hennepin County Bar Association, former chair
- Advisor to numerous political candidates and campaigns at the local, state, and federal level