Professional Experience
Thomas Chomicz is a retired partner with Quarles & Brady. He practiced in the areas of exempt organizations, taxation and estate planning. His extensive experience included:
- Advised nonprofit organizations, and in particular private foundations, on issues involving fundraising, tax compliance, obtaining rulings from the National Office of the IRS, resolution of disputes regarding alleged mismanagement of assets, division of trust assets among foundations, implementation of charitable programs within the charitable purpose and other legal issues.
- Was engaged in working with congressional representatives in the passage of legislation, modifications of regulations and obtaining private rulings and determinations from the Internal Revenue Service and other governmental agencies for a consortium of tax-exempt organizations.
- Advised professional medical and service corporations, and advised clients on estate planning matters.
Representative Clients:
- Cantigny Foundation
- The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
- The Retirement Research Foundation
- Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation
- John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Education and Honors
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (J.D., cum laude, 1969)
- University of St. Thomas (B.A., 1963)
Bar Admissions
Illinois,
1969
Court Admissions
U.S. Tax Court, 1970
Professional Recognition
Selected for inclusion in the 2006-present
Illinois Super Lawyers® lists (Non-Profit).
Listed in
The Best Lawyers in America® (2007-present:
Non-Profit/Charities Law).
Martindale-Hubbell AV
® Peer Review Rated.
Leading Lawyers Network member.
Professional and Civic Activities
Certified Public Accountant.
Member: American Bar Association (Tax Section, Co-chair, Forms, Rulings and Administrative Developments Committee; Former Chairman, Private Foundation Subcommittee, 1985-1993; Former Co-chair, Joint Ventures Subcommittee, 1993-1997; Co-chair, Forms Subcommittee, 1998-2003). Member, Chicago Bar Association (Tax-Exempt Organization Committee, 1987-2012). St. Xavier University: Board of Trustees (2002-2011), Executive Committee Member (2003-2011), Development Committee — Member (2002) and Chair of Board of Trustees (2006-2010); Donors Forum of Chicago: Board of Directors Member (1992-1996); Officer/Secretary (1994-1996), Professional Development Committee — Member (1984-1993), Legislative and Regulatory Committee — Member (1987-2000) and Chair (1995-1996), Membership Committee — Member (1993-2003) and Chair (1993-1994), Public Policy Committee — Member (1999-2003); Chicago Jobs Council: Advisor to the Work Fund (1999-2008), Representative to the Non-Profit Financial Center Credit Policies Committee; ITT-Chicago Kent College of Law Annual Not for Profit Conference, Chair (1984-1986) and Co-Chair (2000-2012), Planning and Faculty Member (1982-2012); Illinois Attorney General's Charitable Advisory Council, Member (2001-2012); Internal Revenue Service, Consultant; review of private foundation administration expenses (1987); Great Lakes TE/GE Council (formerly Mid-States EP/EO Council): Member (1996-2012), Program Committee Chair(2000-2003); Foundation Lawyers Group (Washington, D.C.), Member (1986-2003); Washington and Jane Smith Home: Trustee (1989-2012), President (2005-2010), Vice President (1997-2002), Chair, Pension and Personnel Committee (1989-1993), Chair, Building and Grounds Committee (1993-1995), Member, Investment Committee (1989-2012), Member, Executive Committee (1989-2012); St. Barnabas Church: Chair, Development Committee (1992-1996), Finance Committee Member (1983-1994).