Thomas E. Johnson, Founding Partner, deceased

Education:

Harvard Law School, J.D., 1975 cum laude

American University, B.A., 1972 summa cum laude

Law Clerk to U.S. District Judge Thomas R. McMIllen, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, 1975-77

In his over 40 years of practice, Tom litigated at every level of the state and federal court system and before numerous administrative agencies. He played a pivotal role in the development of affordable housing in Chicago and in securing justice for coal miners, truck drivers and others in the labor movement. He served as a special commissioner for the U.S. District Court in Chicago and as a Hearing Officer for the Chicago Police Board, the Illinois State Police Merit Board and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Tom spent much of his career working to reform Chicago’s voter registration and electoral system, and in doing so, he represented numerous local, state and federal office holders, including President Barack Obama and Mayor Harold Washington. Tom is remembered by his partners as a generous and compassionate person who made a significant contribution to the legal profession and the Chicago community.