Thomas J. Angell
Bio
For more than 35 years, Tom has focused his practice on representing Taft-Harley benefit funds. The management of these funds – equal representation from labor and management – mirrors Tom’s family background: his mother was a member of the Communication Workers of America, and his father owned a small business that provided health insurance coverage and retirement benefits to a dozen workers and their families. From this balanced vantage point, Tom counsels trustees and plan administrators on all aspects of retirement and health plan design, compliance, and operational matters. He represents both private and governmental plans as well as other not-for-profit entities on many Internal Revenue Service matters, including tax qualifications, private letter rulings, and audits. This broad experience, coupled with an LL.M. in Taxation, allows Tom to implement creative and sound approaches to the challenges facing employee benefit plans and their sponsors.
Tom has also represented benefit funds, unions, businesses, and other creditors in bankruptcy matters across the country, serving as either a member or counsel on many creditors’ committees. He frequently speaks before bar associations, law school classes, and unions on ERISA and bankruptcy issues. Tom has an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell.
In keeping with his professional balance, Tom has a lifelong commitment to charities. As a volunteer, he has obtained favorable tax qualification for many charities. He serves as counsel for the Irish American Labor Coalition – Chicago Chapter. He created and serves as president of the BCVI Foundation, an organization that helps the blind and visually impaired. And he has participated in charitable missions in Central America that brought medical care to remote regions. As special probate counsel for a large international charity, he was instrumental in recovering over $1 million for five charities that suffered losses due to a last-minute testamentary change.
Tom and his wife are avid travelers who have visited over 40 countries. He recently completed a seven-day trek across Spain, finishing the last leg of the Camino de Santiago.
Education
- A.B., Marquette University, 1975
- J.D., John Marshall Law School, 1978
- L.L.M., John Marshall Law School, 1987
Admissions
- State of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit