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Overview

With a solid background in tax law, Tommy assists clients with employee benefits and executive compensation matters.

Tommy was drawn to tax from the beginning, focusing his law school coursework on the practice area before going on to earn an LL.M. degree in taxation. He loved the challenge of determining how best to navigate an immensely complex system while finding the most advantageous opportunities for clients. After graduation, he began his career as an attorney in the Big 4 accounting firms, where he advised multi-national clients on the tax implications of cross-border acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and spin-offs.

Although his time with accounting firms helped him gain a deep understanding of companies’ financial and business operations, Tommy always knew that he eventually wanted to shift to traditional legal practice, and he joined Husch Blackwell in 2023 as a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team. He provides counsel on matters such as employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs); health and welfare plans; 401(k), 403(b), defined benefit, and other retirement plans; employee incentives; and severance arrangements. Tommy is particularly knowledgeable about the tax implications of decisions in these areas.

Known for speaking the language of business, Tommy thrives on fully immersing himself in the business of the clients he serves. His background in the accounting industry means that reading balance sheets and income statements is second nature to him, and he readily understands how best to support client business needs through his legal counsel. Tommy’s goal is for clients to see him not merely as their attorney, but as a true business partner.

Services

Education

  • LL.M., University of San Diego School of Law
    • Taxation
  • J.D., University of San Diego School of Law
  • B.A., St. John's University

Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • Wisconsin

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Minnesota State Bar Association
2024 Pro Bono Contributor
Experience
  • Advised on tax aspects of numerous acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and spin-offs in various industries.
  • Advised multi-national clients on international tax planning, including intellectual property restructuring, supply chain restructuring, cross-border mergers, acquisitions, and other restructurings, foreign tax credit matters, and overall cash repatriation.
  • Represented PCB Financial in its recently announced acquisition of Northern California Bancorp where NCB and its wholly owned subsidiary Monterey County Bank are now wholly owned subsidiaries of PCB.
Outside the Office

Tommy is a diehard football fan who loves taking in games at all levels. As the grandson of a College Football Hall of Fame coach, Tommy is particularly fascinated by the philosophy of football coaching. His own favorite team is the Johnnies from his undergraduate alma mater, Saint John’s University.

When he’s not watching a game, Tommy enjoys reading, especially Enlightenment-era English literature—Charles Dickens is a favorite. He also likes to exercise and works out daily, as well as going for regular walks and hikes with his wife and their Cocker Spaniel, Winston.