Thomas Richelo

Tom represented me in a contract dispute with a former employer. From the day he started working on my case, he guided me through the process and prepared me for each stage. As this was a very stressful situation for me, Tom's ongoing reassurance and support made it much easier. He was extremely th...orough in understanding the entire situation to determine the best strategy and the first thing he did was invalidate their claim that I violated my non-compete clause. After that, we tried mediation, but they were unwilling to move an inch. Ultimately, the case went to arbitration and the judge found in favor of me on every point...including fees and expenses. Tom built a very good case by doing his research, making sure we had the right witnesses, discrediting the opposing witnesses and being more prepared than the other guy. I remember one of the first things Tom told me is he would never lose because the other guy worked harder or was more prepared. He proved that to me. Tom demonstrated what a trusted advisor can be...he really did care about me and my family and worked hard to take care of us. I would gladly hire him again if the need arose.

Farid Termei, Archimetric Design & Construction, rating of Attorney Thomas Richelo Tom Richelo was recommended to us as a construction attorney in 2007. Our company offers design and construction services. For one very difficult client we had performed design and were underway with constructio...n when the owner was not meeting obligations to our company. This project was highly challenging because in an effort to avoid paying for some of the work the owner took very contrary positions and repeated failed to fulfill promises made to us. When Tom got involved things started to change dramatically. First, he helped us bring about an agreement that let us get out of the project with adequate payment for what we had completed so far. When payment obligations were not met by the owner, Tom filed a lawsuit and aggressively pursued that to a judgment. Several times he negotiated a settlement to pay on the judgment, but the owner repeatedly missed payments on that plan. Tom continued to push the matter until we forced a final settlement payment. The resolution to this conflict was very important to our company’s reputation and ongoing operations. We have since called on Tom for a variety of construction law matters. His knowledge of both our construction services and our design services enable him to serve companies like ours effectively and efficiently. I also know that his service as mediator and arbitrator helps enhance his ability to propose and negotiate settlements for clients like us. Tom’s overall experience also makes him a valuable business advisor. We plan to continue using Tom Richelo for our future legal needs.

We first hired Tom Richelo in 2007 when we had issues to resolve with an owner on a private construction project. Our company was owed for extra work we had performed and the owner was objecting to things to offset our position. Our lawyer got the matter resolved on satisfactory terms that saved us... a lot of money. In the process, he demonstrated that he understood the applicable law in ways that out-maneuvered the owner’s lawyer, he kept the entire dispute out of litigation by asserting our right to arbitration, he dealt knowledgeably with the construction details involved in the dispute, and he represented us effectively in the mediation that resolved the case. Tom also understood the role of an insurer in this situation and helped produce an insurance recovery that sealed the deal. Our company’s recent focus has been on government and public projects. We have called upon Tom Richelo on several such projects and he has given good advice that helped us prevent having small issues become bigger problems. One such matter involved a subcontractor having done improper work; Tom guided us through a remedial proposal that avoided any adverse action against our company. On another job, we faced unwarranted efforts by the contracting officer to increase our scope of work without additional compensation; Tom helped us with a letter that led to our position being upheld. Tom was referred to our company by a relative’s business that he began doing legal work for more than 20 years ago. I knew Tom had been successful on several matters for them. Our company intends to look to Tom Richelo for advice and problem solving in the future whenever legal expertise is needed.

Jay Hillebrand, Business Executive and Owner, rating of Attorney Thomas Richelo I’ve known Tom Richelo since 1991 when I hired him for a case against a software company for which I had served as president until terminated without being paid several categories of compensation and severance pay I ...had negotiated. Tom filed suit and enforced my oral agreement that was detailed in a set of notes but unsigned. He fought past a summary judgment motion and won the case in a five-day jury trial in Cobb State Court. The details were later made confidential, but the verdict set a record for that particular judge’s court. After the verdict was announced and the jury dismissed, the judge called us into her chambers. She told me that Tom’s trial presentation was the best she had ever seen in her court and that I was fortunate to have him as my attorney. I had already concluded that myself! The payout from that case funded a start-up company that I formed with a partner that became my biggest business success. In 2000, I again needed Tom’s representation to disengage from my partner, set up a separate and new company, and address litigation pursued by my former partner. Here, as with my first case, I witnessed Tom totally outshining his opposing counsel, resulting in a win that dismissed all of my opponent’s claims and got us a judgment. In 2006, Tom eventually collected on that judgment and sent me a framed copy of the check, with a quote below it from my adversary, who had promised, “You’ll never collect a penny of that judgment.” Well, Tom collected 100%, with interest. In addition to these successes Tom Richelo had for me, I was greatly impressed by his work ethic and determination. For example, during the jury trial we had a critical moment during my two-day cross-examination, and Tom and I worked until the early morning hours on preparation for the next day that ended up being crucial to our success. Tom works very well with business professionals because he learns their business as well as their case and has a mastery of the facts, the documents, the details for his examinations, the whole works. Because of his experience, Tom is someone I would go to, and send anyone seeking a lawyer to, regardless of the type of matter, because if he can’t help you he’ll know someone who can and he’ll give his time to make sure you are pointed in the right direction. My daughter became an attorney a few years ago, and she spent a summer clerking for Tom to “learn the ropes.” On top of everything else, he was a helpful mentor. I enthusiastically endorse Tom Richelo as an attorney who gives top quality services.