Thomas C. Rich was born in Hamilton, Ohio, the son of two school teachers. He went to college at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota and graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Government. He moved back to Chicago in 1980 and attended DePaul University College of Law, where he graduated in 1983. After spending one year at Lewis, Davidson & Hetherington, a private firm in Chicago, he packed up everything he owned into a U-Haul and drove to Belleville, Illinois to work at John E. Norton & Associates. Two weeks after his arrival, he tried his first case to verdict. From 1984 to 1990, he tried many personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. In 1990, he left to become a partner at Nelson, Bement, Stubblefield & Rich, where he stayed for three years. After that time, he left to form his own law firm, Thomas C. Rich, P.C., which has been in business since 1993.

For over 30 years, Tom has been a diligent and tireless and advocate for injured individuals, and is one of the most successful litigators in southern Illinois and eastern Missouri. He has personally tried thousands of workers’ compensation/personal injury cases in both states. He is the proud father of four children.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time at the family farm, lifting weights, and is an avid sports fan. He is known for his support of charities and schools throughout southern Illinois and Missouri. Tom is also a member of several legal organizations, including the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the American Trial Lawyers’ Association, the Missouri Bar Association, the St. Clair County Bar Association, and the Illinois Bar Association.