Elke & Merchant LLP870 Market StreetSuite 1170San Francisco, CA, 94102United States (415) 294-4111 (415) 294-4121

Tom Harold Elke

Avvo Rating10

San Francisco, CA
Licensed for 16 years
Free consultation

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About Tom

A San Francisco native, Mr. Elke has counseled thousands of Bay Area residents on tenant law and renters-rights issues. For the past four years, Mr. Elke has been recognized as a Northern California “Rising Star” by SuperLawyers Magazine. He has also been named an Outstanding Volunteer Attorney by the San Francisco Bar Association’s Volunteer Legal Services Program. Mr. Elke received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 2001 and his law degree from University of California, Los Angeles in 2005. While in law school, Mr. Elke was active in the El Centro legal aid program and received an Imelda Rosenthal Bar Scholarship for Public Interest Law from the California State Bar. He has helped clients secure millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements and has personally tried over twenty-five jury trials to verdict.

Practice areas

Landlord or tenant: 75%
Personal injury: 25%

Languages spoken

English, Spanish, Russian

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Contact

Elke & Merchant LLP

870 Market Street
Suite 1170
San Francisco, CA, 94102

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Resume

License

State	Status	Acquired	Updated
CA	Active	2005	11/05/2021

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Avvo Contributions

Legal answers	25
Legal guides	1

Awards

Award name	Grantor	Date Granted
Rising Star	SuperLawyers	2016
Rising Star	SuperLawyers	2015
Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award	Bar Association of San Francisco	2014
Volunteer Appreciation	AIDS Legal Referral Panel	2014
Rising Star	SuperLawyers	2014

Rising Star	SuperLawyers	2013
Outstanding Volunteer Attorney	Bar Association of San Francisco	2013
Rising Star	Super Lawyers	2012

work experience

Title	Company name	Duration
Partner	Elke & Merchant	2013 - Present
Of Counsel	Tobener Law Center	2011 - 2013

associations

Association name	Position name	Duration
Aids Legal Referral Panel	Volunteer Attorney	2013 - Present
San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association	Member	2013 - Present
Bar Association of San Francisco	Member	2011 - Present
San Francisco Tenant's Union	Counselor	2011 - Present

education

School name	Degree	Graduated
University of California - Los Angeles	JD - Juris Doctor	2005
Harvard University	AB - Bachelor's Degree	2001

speaking engagements

Conference name	Title	Date
BASF MCLE	Cost-Effective Trial Techniques	2015
BASF MCLE	Hindsight is 20-20: I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now	2015

legal cases

Case name	Outcome
Confidential Settlement	$290,000
Confidential Settlement	$233,000 settlement
Confidential Settlement	$140,000 settlement
Bjerke v. John Crane Inc.	$2.1 million jury award
Confidential Settlement	$5.4 million settlement

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Reviews

5.0 stars4.9 (9)

5 Star		89%
4 Star		11%
3 Star		0%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Review Tom Elke

Thorough and Thoughtful

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
September 17, 2020

Tom is considerate, thorough, and thoughtful in his consultations. He is prompt in his follow up, and sincere in his approach, allowing for succinct and helpful advice, whether you hire him or not. Great attorney.

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Consulted attorney

A Rare & Outstanding Attorney

5.0 stars

Posted by Herlinda
March 25, 2014

Tom Elke has been my primary source of knowledge, direction, and wisdom during two evictions I dealt with regarding a foreclosed single family home I partially rented. When I initially spoke to him, I immediately discerned his intent was to help me compared to the previous lawyers I spoke to. Against the advice of all other attorneys, he respected my intent to fight for my right and generously gave me the time, advise, and strategy to represent myself as pro per. And guess what? I won! Against a bank. There is NO WAY I would have done it without Tom's help. That said, Tom knows his stuff. I lost a lawsuit I perused totally against his advise. I was humiliated by the judge for disregarding Tom's advise, but I accept that I was wrong and Tom was right in all regards when he said "you can't". He's thorough, kind, generous, and kick-your-teeth-in direct. You may not like what he has to say sometimes, but he's the BEST lawyer I have ever worked with. Though his paid services as a counselor are limited, I recommend him for both attorney and counselor.

5.0 stars

Posted by darren
March 6, 2014

I called Tom for advice when my landlord sent me a 60-day notice to terminate my tenancy. He's been extremely responsive, thoughtful, and reassuring. During my free consultation he poured over the details of multiple legal documents and gave me specific, actionable advice. His guidance has helped me navigate through this challenging time.

5.0 stars

Posted by Lisa Marie
February 23, 2014

Tom Elke is a superb lawyer. I sought counseltation when opening a small business recently. He was extremely knowledgable and was always quick to reply to any questions or concerns I had. He is thorough, sharp, and professional.

Super Lawyer

5.0 stars

Posted by Eden
February 13, 2014

Mr. Elke is a very professional in his field and is a straight forward lawyer. I was very satisfied having such a knowledgeable lawyer on my side who was able to drive the process to successful results.

Top Notch Attorney

5.0 stars

Posted by Gina
January 31, 2014

Tom Elke is top notch. He kept me well-informed of every development in my case. He was aggressive to the very end, resulting in the best possible outcome. Tom Elke is by far the best tenant attorney in San Francisco.

Don't litigate without him!

5.0 stars

Posted by Joe
December 10, 2013

In spite of the fact that Tom is incredibly likeable, personable and charming, he is nevertheless a shark in the in the traditional and most effective sense. I have personally observed him making opposing counsel appear foolish, confused and generally silly. If you have need to stand before a judge, Tom is your best bet to get a positive result. I’ve dealt with several attorneys through the years and can unequivocally state that Tom is among the finest I have had the misfortune to meet. Highly recommended!

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
November 2, 2013

Tom was of great help and support in my unlawful detainer case. My master tenant/landlord had hired a high profile lawyer to evict me. I needed someone very aggressive and charismatic to have a chance to prevail. Tom and Alex Merchant were always very prompt to answer my questions. They both attended the settlement conference to great results. I was able to keep my accommodation for two more months and was compensated beyond my expectation. Also my case was successfully resealed with no future penalty. I highly recommend Tom Elke and his partner Alex Merchant. They are very professional, knowledgeable and honest.

4.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
February 4, 2014

Mr. Elke represented me in an eviction case in San Francisco in December 2013. Working through the Eviction Defense Coalition, he did a fine job of understanding my position and conveying it to the opposite side, who withdrew their case, without even a settlement agreement. He gave good advice as to what I should and shouldn't do and what results were realistic. He followed up with advice on my landlord's subsequent actions, such as a garage eviction attempt with no causes stated, much less the required just cause(s). On Mr. Elke's advice, a quick trip the the Rent Board put an end to this attempt.

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Attorney endorsements

(5)

Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Svetlana Shirinova, Residential real estate Attorney on Nov 14, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer, because Tom Elke is a great attorney and a very classy person. He is brave, generous and competent.

Mikayla Kellogg, Landlord or tenant Attorney on Oct 22, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Mr. Elke is an experienced and well-respected attorney. His valuable knowledge and experience with tenants' rights in the Bay Area makes him an exceptional advocate for his clients. I strongly endorse him.

Svetlana Shirinova, Residential real estate Attorney on Nov 14, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer, because Tom Elke is a great attorney and a very classy person. He is brave, generous and competent.

Mikayla Kellogg, Landlord or tenant Attorney on Oct 22, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Alexander Merchant, Landlord or tenant Attorney on Oct 8, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker

Tom Elke is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I have ever known in my life.

Eric Lightman, Landlord or tenant Attorney on May 5, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. Tom and I worked on the same floor and I've spoken and consulted with him and his partner Alex Merchant on many things. He is knowledgeable, outspoken, and a passionate advocate. He and Alex are the first people I would go to in a Landlord Tenant dispute.

Selby Lighthill, Landlord or tenant Attorney on Nov 18, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Tom is a tenacious trial attorney well versed in the intricacies of the law. I've worked with Tom on a number of matters and he consistently provides the highest levels of service for his clients.

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Alexander Merchant
Selby Lighthill

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Tom Harold Elke

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Reviews

Thorough and Thoughtful

5.0 stars

A Rare & Outstanding Attorney

5.0 stars

Tom Elke

5.0 stars

Superb with a smile

5.0 stars

Super Lawyer

5.0 stars

Top Notch Attorney

5.0 stars

Don't litigate without him!

5.0 stars

Superb Attorney

5.0 stars

Residential Eviction Unlawful Detainer Tenant Rights Landlord Problems

4.0 stars

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