Tom has been a key figure in Kegler Brown’s Employee Benefits + ERISA practice for over 45 years, advising business owners on employee incentive programs, executive compensation, and retirement planning. He has extensive experience in the design, implementation, and administration of both qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, including ESOPs. With Tom’s experience with employee benefit plans, he has been instrumental in helping clients deal with the intricate qualified plan and IRA distribution rules, especially when naming a trust as beneficiary. Tom also represents closely held businesses and business owners regarding fringe benefits, compensation planning, and insurance planning, with a wealth of knowledge in IRC 409A compliance.
In addition to his ERISA work, Tom advises on business succession and high-end estate and gift planning, employing sophisticated techniques to achieve his clients' objectives. His counsel often includes tax-saving measures and creditor protection planning. Tom regularly assists clients with employee benefit issues in mergers and acquisitions, including transactions involving ESOP-owned companies.
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (J.D., 1978)
- The Ohio State University (B.A., 1975)
- Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. Tax Court
- Columbus Bar Association, member
- Columbus Estate Planning Council, member, past chair
- Columbus Foundation, Legal Advisory Committee, advisor
- ESOP Association, member
- James Ambassador Society, ambassador
- Ohio State Bar Association, member
- Society of Financial Services Professionals - National Executive Board, member; Columbus Chapter, past president
- Recognized in Columbus CEO Top Lawyers, 2022-2024
- Selected to the Ohio Super Lawyers list
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
- Selected as the 2018 “Lawyer of the Year” in Columbus for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law in The Best Lawyers in America®
- Martindale-Hubbell Rating of AV Preeminent®
- Recipient of the Sam Chickerella Hall of Fame Award
- Salvation Army, Advisory Board + Resource Committee, member
