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Thomas A. Leonard III

Chairman Emeritus
Located in

Philadelphia, PA

“I’m a winner and I make my clients winners.”

- Thomas A. Leonard

“I’m a winner and I make my clients winners.”

- Thomas A. Leonard

Tom is the Chair Emeritus of Obermayer. He is also the Chairman of the Litigation Department and a permanent member of the firm’s Management Committee.

Tom has comprehensive experience in business and complex commercial litigation. His law practice concentrates in the areas of antitrust, construction litigation, mergers and acquisitions, commercial, administrative and regulatory issues, environmental matters, healthcare and real estate representation. He also has an extensive appellate practice.

In his free time, Tom enjoys spending time with his family, attending concerts, plays and movies. He is also a Philadelphia sports fan and enjoys attending Eagles, Phillies, Sixers and Flyers games.

Tom currently serves as Chairman of Bel Canto Asset Growth Fund LLC, Forty2 LLC, Leonard Family Associates I, LLC, and PA Values Political Action Committee. He serves as Vice-Chairman for Independence Blue Cross. He formerly served as Chairman of Crowley Chemical and Permalith Plastics. He also serves on the Board of Directors of U.S. Facilities, The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, PRWT Services, Inc., and Ultimark Products. Tom is former Chairman of the Regional Real Estate Investment Co., and from 1993-98, he served on the Board of Directors for the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae).

Tom has also served as the Pennsylvania Finance Chairman for President Clinton and as Vice Chairman, Finance, for the Democratic National Committee. He was Chairman of the Pennsylvania Finance Committee for the Democratic National Committee and Chairman of the Ed Rendell for Mayor campaign and a member of the Finance Committee of the Ed Rendell for Governor campaign. He was a delegate to the National Democratic Conventions in 1976, 1980, 1992 and 1996. He was Vice Chairman of the Philadelphia Gas Commission from 1979-83. He is a member of the Merit Selection Committee for Eastern District of PA.

Prior to joining Obermayer in 1992, Tom was a partner and Co-Chairman of the Litigation Department at Dilworth, Paxson, Kalish & Kauffman and a permanent member of the Firm Executive Committee. From 1979-83, he served as the Controller for the City of Philadelphia.

Tom served as Chairman of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He is a previous delegate to the House of Delegates, Pennsylvania Bar Association, and formerly served on the Board of Governors and as Chairman of the Community Activization Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

Tom is a Lifetime Charter Member of Rue Ratings “Best Attorneys of America”. The American Registry lists Tom in the top 1% of America’s Most Honored professionals. He is one of Pennsylvania’s “Super Lawyers” as listed in both the Philadelphia magazine (June editions) and Thomson Reuters, Legal magazine, “Pennsylvania Super Lawyers” (2004-2024). He was also included in the 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.

Tom is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell.

Tom was named to the “Top 100 Attorneys of 2020” list by Redwood Media’s Top 100 Magazine.

Tom is the recipient of the Greater Philadelphia Leadership Award (2013) and the Learned Hand Award from the American Jewish Committee (2010).

Tom was honored as one of the top graduates of Drexel University and named to the Drexel 100 of leading graduates.

Tom has been named a Lifetime Achiever in Marquis Who’s Who and has been listed in Who’s Who in the World from 1993 to the present.

Tom is the President of the Board of Advisors to Roman Catholic High School. He is also the Trustee of the Estate of Thomas Cahill, the founder of Roman Catholic High School.

Tom is the President of the Pennsylvania Chapter Irish American Partnership and Member of National Board of Directors.

Tom served as a Captain in the United States Army (Inf.), Honorable Discharge.

Tom’s other civic activities include:

  • Trustee, Board of Trustees, Drexel University 2020 to Present;
  • Board of Trustees, MCP Hahnemann University Medical School 1998 to 2002;
  • Board of Directors, CORA Services, Inc. 1998 to 2004;
  • Board of Directors, World Affairs Council 1997 to 2005;
  • Chairman and Treasurer, Casey for Senate Committee 2006 to 2012;
  • Member, Philadelphia Orchestra Council and Development Committee 1981-1986;
  • Founding Member and Director, Academy of Sciences Philadelphia 1981-1985;
  • Board of Directors, Asian Studies Foundation 1983 to 1995;
  • Treasurer and Board of Directors, Haifa University Philadelphia Chapter 1982-1986;
  • Member, Urban Coalition Task Force on Education 1987 to 1994;
  • Member, Board of Advisors, Roman Catholic High School 1978 to 2007;
  • Register of Wills, City of Philadelphia 1976-1979

Awards Won*

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