Practice Focus

Education

  • Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D., high honors, 1975
    - Order of the Coif
  • University of Michigan, B.A., high distinction, 1970

Admissions

  • State of Ohio
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Thomas F. McKee

Chairman
TOM serves as chairman of Calfee, focusing on developing client relationships, as well as pursuing new business and market opportunities.  In addition, he serves as co-chair of the firm’s Business Transactions Department, which includes the Securities and Capital Markets, Commercial Business and Finance, Real Estate, Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity groups.

In addition to his management responsibilities, Tom also maintains an active practice of counseling private and public corporations in general corporate and securities matters.  He focuses on capital raising activities, including public offerings and private placements, as well as mergers and acquisitions, principally for public companies. In connection with capital raising and investment activities, he represents both regional and national investment banking firms on activities related to corporate finance, compliance and private equity matters.  Tom’s 30+ years of counseling in the securities and financial industries is a key component of the firm’s White Collar Defense and Investigations practice --  enhancing the team’s ability to protect corporations, financial institutions and their individual directors when involved in regulatory investigations.

Outside of the firm, Tom currently serves as corporate secretary and counsel to the board of directors of DataTrak International, Inc. (Nasdaq). He is a member of the American Bar Association’s Federal Regulation of Securities Committee and the Business Law Committee on Venture Capital and Private Equity Section. Tom currently serves on the Corporate Leadership Advisory Council of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  He also is a trustee of Case Western Reserve University; Greater Cleveland Roundtable; the Achievement Centers for Children, where he is a member of the executive committee and chairs its governance committee; The Musical Arts Association (Cleveland Orchestra and Blossom Music Festival); and the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital National Leadership Council (University Hospital Health System).  Recently, the firm received the annual Pillar Award for Community Service for its volunteer activities related to the Achievement Centers.    

Tom’s past associations include serving as corporate secretary and counsel to the board of directors for various publicly-traded companies, including McDonald & Company Investments, Inc. (NYSE); Signature Brands USA, Inc. (Nasdaq); NCS Healthcare Inc. (Nasdaq); and Camelot Music Holdings, Inc. (OTC). He has also previously served as a director of Mr. Coffee, Inc. (Nasdaq) and Chart Industries, Inc. (NYSE), as well as a member of the board of directors of several privately-¬held companies, including LogoAthletic, Inc., and Longbow Research.

Most recently, Tom was chosen as one of only 148 attorneys in the nation named a 2008 “Client Service All-Star” by In House Counsel.  The selection was based on interviews with corporate counsel of Fortune 1000 companies across the country on all aspects of client relationships.  Tom has been named one of The Best Lawyers in America for more than 10 years in the areas of corporate and securities law, and recognized as a leader in his field by Chambers USA.  According to Chambers, Tom possesses “incredible experience and fantastic business sense.”  He is a member of the Society of Benchers and the Visiting Committee at Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

Joining Calfee in 1975, Tom became a partner in 1982.  He was elected to the firm’s executive committee in 1992, becoming vice chairman in 1999.  Tom also has served on the firm’s management committee since its formation in 1999.  He was elected co-chairman of Calfee in 2005 and became chairman in 2009.