My career as an attorney has involved transactions, counseling, and litigation in all areas of performing, visual, and literary expression, new media, intellectual property (trademarks and copyrights), and technology. Our firm represents both businesses and individuals in a wide variety of strategic transactions, and we help craft favorable outcomes to difficult problems. We take as the hallmark of our practice personalized attention, judgment, experience, expertise, and community service.
Tom is a partner in Leavens, Strand & Glover, LLC. Prior to forming LS&G, Tom was General Counsel for LRSmedia, LLC, a media production and brand development company, whose initial project was the PBS television series LEGENDS OF JAZZ with Ramsey Lewis.
Prior to joining LRS, Tom was General Counsel for MusicNow LLC, a pioneer digital music company that commercially launched a subscription music service, webcasting, and the sale of music downloads in 2002.
Tom has also served as General Counsel and Senior Executive Vice President of Platinum Entertainment, Inc., a public company which grew from its formation in 1992 to become at one point the largest US-based independent record company.While there he also served as executive producer of various recording and television projects, and compiled and produced 16 House of Blues Essential Blues recordings released by the company under its joint venture with HOB Entertainment. Prior to Platinum Tom was a partner with the law firm McBride, Baker & Coles in Chicago, where he chaired the firm's intellectual property department.
Tom was the first recipient of the Thomas R. Leavens Award, presented by Lawyers For The Creative Arts, for contributions to law and the arts in Chicago, was the recipient of the David C. Hilliard Award, presented by the Chicago Bar Association for Outstanding Committee Service to the Legal Profession and Community, and has served as an elected member of the Board of Managers of the Chicago Bar Association, the Board of Directors of the Digital Media Association, and the National Recording Preservation Board of the Library of Congress.Tom is also an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University School of Law, an Associate with The Henry Lydiate Partnership in London, the premiere arts consultancy in the UK, a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Authors Guild.Tom has also received the highest AV Peer Review Rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.