For over 30 years, Tom’s practice has focused on civil litigation, primarily the defense of healthcare, legal and aviation professionals. He has tried numerous cases to verdict in Illinois and Missouri and argued multiple appeals before the state and federal courts in both Missouri and Illinois; representing physicians, hospitals, allied health professionals, attorneys, pilots and aviation maintenance professionals. Tom is admitted to practice in the Illinois and Missouri state courts, as well as the United States Courts of Appeals for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits. He is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
Tom had the privilege of serving his country for thirty years in the United States Air Force, both Active Duty and with the Air National Guard achieving the rank of Colonel. In 2015, Tom retired from his final assignment as Commander of the 231stCivil Engineer Flight, a unit of degreed engineers providing Design and Construction Management Services for military personnel across the globe. Tom’s overseas deployments included tours of duty in both Afghanistan and Iraq for which he was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service, and Army Commendation Medals. Upon completing his career, Tom was awarded the Legion of Merit.
Tom has been a licensed pilot for 35 years, and holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Multi-Engine and Instrument Ratings. He is frequently asked to speak to aviation professionals concerning liability and regulatory issues. In order to assist his clients due to the rapidly increasing use of drones in government and the private sector, Tom obtained his Remote Pilot Certificate for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
Prior to entering law school, Tom worked as a Biomedical Engineer for Christian Hospital Northeast in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1984, he obtained a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Washington University where he concentrated his study in Biomedical Engineering. Tom previously obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri - Columbia.
Tom and his wife Catherine, have two adult children; Ellen Kaminski of Tuscon, AZ, and Tom, Jr. who is in graduate school at the University of Michigan. Tom and Catherine are active in their parish and enjoy spending time with their children.