Gordon Arata is pleased to announce that Tom Gruenert has joined its Houston office as of October 1, 2021.  Tom’s practice focuses on corporate and commercial transactions, healthcare law, real estate, construction law and commercial litigation. Sam Masur, a member of the firm’s management committee, said, “We are delighted to have Tom join us. His public service and in-house incumbency, in addition to his private practice experience, make him a valuable resource for our clients.”

Throughout his career, Tom has been active in bar association, educational and government relations programs. He is the former chair of the Wetlands and Endangered Species Committee of the ABA Real Property Section and the former chair of the Endangered Species Committee of the ABA Section on Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law. Tom also is active in his community. At various times, he has served as a member of the Manvel, Texas, Code Enforcement Commission; the Manvel, Texas, Economic Development Board; the Board of Directors of Houston Interfaith Ministries; the Advisory Board of KPFT Radio; and the City of Bellaire, Texas, Zoning and Planning Commission.

Before joining Gordon Arata, Tom  co-founded Gibson Gruenert, PLLC in 1995, after practicing with leading corporate law firms in Texas and Louisiana. In 2015, he formed the Gruenert Law Group to provide business clients with sophisticated, detail-oriented legal services with the flexibility and affordability of a small firm. From 2016 through 2018, Tom served as the general counsel of Neighbors Health, LLC, an emergency medicine provider group and medical facility developer. Following the sale of the company, he returned to private practice.

Tom obtained his J.D. degree from the Washington and Lee School of Law where he served as a Note and Comment Editor on the Washington and Lee Law Review. He obtained his B.A. degree from the University of Montana, majoring in Political Science and History.

He and his wife, the former Nancy Hill, have three grown children and five grandchildren.