Thomas Henry Ivory

Thomas Ivory is a native of Ireland who came to the United States at age 22.  Tom is not only a talented trial lawyer, he is a dedicated and passionate advocate for his clients. In addition to his DUI and traffic court work, Mr. Ivory has handled hundreds of cases ranging from murder charges, robbery, burglary, sexual assault, drug offenses, white-collar charges, Food and Drug Administration charges and internet offenses in Federal and State court in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. He began his career at the Defender Association of Philadelphia in 1996. While there, Tom was a member of the major trials unit where he represented clients charged with the most serious offenses in trials before juries. As a public defender Mr. Ivory developed a reputation as a dedicated advocate among judges, his peers, his clients and his opponents. 

During recent years, Mr. Ivory has increasingly concentrated his practice in the area of Driving Under the Influence, Traffic Court matters, and Driver License restoration cases for both commercial and non-commercial drivers. He has successfully litigated appeals of suspensions in the Court of Common Pleas in several counties as well as on appeal in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ivory has enjoyed success particularly when representing people accused of driving while suspended for DUI, a charge that carries a 60 day mandatory minimum prison sentence. As a result of his tireless representation in these matters, the vast majority of Tom’s clients during the last ten years have not received any prison time or suspension time. Mr. Ivory also enjoys a high rate of success in the defense of DUI cases in Philadelphia and surrounding counties. He is also a source of advice in this area to a large number of attorneys. He enjoys nothing better than to tackle a case where a client has a long and complex driving record with many suspensions. He enjoys great personal and professional satisfaction on the day that a complex suspension matter is finally resolved and a client goes to PennDot to get their brand new driver’s license.

Mr. Ivory also maintains a close relationship with labor unions in the Philadelphia area. From 2000-2002, he represented members of Local 57 of the Laborers’ Union as well as the United Independent Unions. He handled all of the criminal cases for these unions. It was there that he developed expertise in the legal issues surrounding driver licensing and traffic violations. From 2002 to 2006, he practiced as a sole practitioner in criminal defense and in traffic and driver licensing issues.

Mr. Ivory also practices in the area of Family Law, concentrating on child custody, support, protection from abuse and divorce matters. He successfully tries cases in the five-county area in all criminal charges. He has developed a reputation as one of the leading attorneys in the City of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties in the areas of DUI, driver license restoration and traffic offenses. His unique skill set: he utilizes his superior trial skills and with his expert knowledge and ability to navigate Philadelphia Traffic Court and PennDot, he is an invaluable advocate for clients facing the loss of their license or suspension of driving privileges and consequently their livelihood.

Mr. Ivory has not forgotten his roots and remains active in the Irish community in the Philadelphia region. As well as being an active member of the Brehon Law Society, he is a founder member and active participant in the Irish Network(Philadelphia Branch) an organization of ex-patriate Irish business people and professionals. He is also actively involved as an advisor and supporter of the Irish Immigration Center, located in Upper Darby, an Irish government-funded support group for Irish Immigrants in the Philadelphia area. He is an active participant in the Irish Chamber of Commerce.

Tom graduated cum laude with Honors from the University of Arizona in 1993. He continued at the University of Arizona for law school where he graduated in 1996.

He currently serves as a board member of the Criminal Justice Section of the Philadelphia Bar association.