Thomas A. Connelly

"Having been on the client side as Corporate Counsel provides me with the ability to better understand my clients' needs and priorities. I appreciate the importance of getting legal issues addressed quickly and efficiently so clients can concentrate on growing their businesses."

(480) 429-3009

tconnelly@beusgilbert.com

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Practices

  • Appellate Practice
  • Business Counseling
  • Commercial and Corporate Transactions
  • Complex Civil and Commercial Litigation
  • Copyrights and Trademarks
  • Information Technology and Electronic Commerce

Education

  • The John Marshall Law School – J.D., Cum Laude, 1994

    • Staff Editor, John Marshall Journal of Computer and Information Law
    • Member, Order of John Marshall Legal Honor Society
    • Member, Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Society
    • Recipient of John Phillips Merit Scholarship from Justinian Society of Chicago
    • Member, John Marshall Journal of Computer and Information Law, 1992-1994

  • Loyola University of Chicago – B.S. Mathematics and Computer Science (double major) with minor emphasis in Business and Accounting, 1985

Admitted

  • United States Circuit Court for the Ninth Circuit

  • United States District Court – Arizona

  • United States District Court – Northern District of Illinois

  • United States District Court – Northern District of California

  • United States District Court – Central District of California

  • United States District Court – Sourthern District of California

  • Supreme Court of the State of Arizona

  • Supreme Court of the State of Illinois

  • Pro hac vice in state courts in Florida, New York, and New Jersey

Recognitions

  • Ranked BV® Distinguished for High Professional Achievement* by Martindale Hubbell

    *AV® Preeminent ™ and BV® Distinguished™ are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies

  • Former member, Illinois Commission on Electronic Commerce and Crime

  • Fellowship, Executive Office of the President of the United States, 1993

Biography & Background

Prior to his legal career, Thomas Connelly spent nearly a decade in the technology world, providing IT project management services to Fortune 500 companies where he designed, developed and implemented large corporate application systems. After receiving his law degree, Mr. Connelly spent four years as an Assistant State’s Attorney for the second largest prosecutor’s office in the country before becoming in-house counsel for a publicly traded Fortune 300 distributor of computer hardware and software.  His background in technology has made Mr. Connelly a valuable resource for the Firm’s clients with intellectual property infringement and technology licensing issues.

Mr. Connelly’s practice also involves litigation of complex civil and commercial matters in federal and state courts nationwide.  He is experienced in a broad array of business litigation issues including accountants’ liability claims, partnership disputes, shareholder disputes, directors’ and officers’ liability, trade secret misappropriation, fraudulent transfers and employment non-compete and restrictive covenants.  Mr. Connelly has also handled personal injury matters, real estate disputes and construction defect cases. He has been first chair trial attorney for more than 100 civil and criminal trials.

Mr. Connelly, who is a Member of Beus Gilbert, has received a Distinguished Peer Rating for High Professional Achievement from Martindale Hubbell.

  • Representative Matters

    • Represented bankruptcy trustee and noteholders of former sub-prime auto lending enterprise in claims against international accounting firm and former company officers and directors for fraud, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and aiding and abetting.  Recovered nearly $30 million for clients through settlement.
    • Negotiate and draft software and other intellectual property licensing agreements, including joint venture agreement involving patents valued at more than $6.5 million.
    • Negotiate and document transactions involving millions in goods, services and real estate.
    • Litigate complex civil and commercial matters in federal and state courts nationwide.

  • Published Cases

    • Sun Valley Ranch 308 Ltd. Partnership ex rel Englewood Properties, Inc. v. Robson, 231 Ariz. 287, 294 P.3d 125, 2012
    • In re Refco Securities Litigation, 859 F. Supp.2d. 644, 2012 WL 1611860, 2012
    • In re Refco Securities Litigation, 779 F.Supp.2d 372, 2011 WL 1542508, 2011
    • Charles M. Brewer, Ltd. Restated Pension v. CBIZ, Inc., Not Reported in F. Supp. 2d, 2010 WL 2367210, 2010
    • Ryan v. Sell, Not Reported in P. 3d, 2008 WL 56264989, 2008
    • Bradley Trust v. Zenith Capital, LLC., Not Reported in F. Supp. 2d, 2006 WL 193642, 2006
    • In re Crown Vantage, Inc., Not Reported in F. Supp.2d, 2004 WL 1635543, 2004

  • Presentations and Publications

    Faculty, Computer Forensics & Electronic Discovery in Arizona, Lorman Education Services, 2008

    Faculty, Document Retention and Destruction in Arizona, Lorman Education Services, 2007

    Contributor, Security Requirements and Evidentiary Issues in the Interchange of Electronic Documents: Steps Toward Developing a Security Policy, 12 J. Marshall J. Comp. & Info. L.425.