Tom Gallagher

Tom was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. After high school, he studied political science, international studies, and Spanish at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before returning to Illinois. For nearly a decade, Tom worked in the office of general counsel of a national law firm, handling issues of legal ethics and professional responsibility. 

 

Despite working full-time and starting a family, Tom attended the University of Illinois-Chicago through its evening program, completed externships with the Honorable Judge Jackson-Akiwumi on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the Illinois State Appellate Prosecutor's Office, and eventually finished top of his class, earning the honor of Spring 2025 valedictorian.