Profiles: Tom Herrmann ’85 J.D. ’88

Tom Herrmann '85 J.D. '88 is a partner at Gleaves Swearingen Potter & Scott LLP in Eugene and focuses his practice on business law, with particular emphasis on entity selection and formation and business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions. He also practices in the areas of real estate law, taxation, and estate planning and has particular expertise in serving as counsel to closely held and family businesses.

Tom began his legal career as an associate in the Seattle office of Lane Powell Spears Lubersky in 1988 and has been with Gleaves Swearingen since 1992 and a partner since 1995.

Outside of work, Tom enjoys spending time with his family and is involved in many organizations including the 4J Board of Directors, the Eugene-Springfield Tax Association, Oregon School Board Association and the Eugene Executives Association.

As a member of the UOAA Board of Directors, Tom is the treasurer, sits on the executive committee and is the budget and finance committee chair.

What is your current profession?

Business Lawyer

Why are you still, and what makes you want to be, connected to the UO through the Alumni Association?

A lot of aspects: I really appreciate the education I got, both undergrad and through law school (Under Grad Major – Political Science). I came to the UO as a junior and was able to do it in partial with a scholarship that had I not received that I would have had to take time off to work; I feel a debt of gratitude I would like to repay. The university also does tremendous things for the city and the state and I feel an obligation to return the favor.

What is your biggest accomplishment since college?

The truth, raising two great kids. Patrick-14 and Sarah-11.

How has the UO had an impact on your life?

The primary impact has been the education I received which put me in the position to have a successful career. You can’t really put a value on that. And also, I’m not sure if you can credit the university with this, but if I hadn’t gone there I wouldn’t have met my wife.

Did you/do you have a mentor – someone that has helped you in your career or made a significant impact in the early years of your career?

Mark Johnson, who worked at the first firm I worked at in Seattle, who was also a UO law school graduate. He was my supervisor of my first job as a lawyer. He really taught me a lot about business law and being a good, confident and caring attorney, which were his primary contributions.

What part of college made a significant difference in your life, made you who you are?

Education component makes a huge impact in anyone’s life. Another significant aspect for me, were the personal relationships and a number of people I went to school with I am still friends with.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I see myself retired and living part of the year in Eugene and part of the year in Central Oregon and spending a lot of my time on the Rouge River. I love to raft and fish and it is a beautiful place.

If you could be any color crayon (think box of 64, not just the 8 primary colors), what color would you be and why?

I would be a dark green crayon. Just to be Duckie!

This profile is going to be posted on uoalumni.com. Is there anything else that you would like readers/other alumni to know?

I am serving as the Vice Chair on the 4J (Education) Board. When my kid’s got into school I was looking for a way to give back and be involved with them and in that and I ran in the elections after some time and got voted into that position. I have been apart of the School Board for 3 years; and served since 1999 with the budget committee.