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
Languages spoken
English, Spanish, Russian
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 2005 | 06/05/2022 |
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 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Elke & Merchant | 2013 - Present |
Of Counsel | Tobener Law Center | 2011 - 2013 |
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 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of California - Los Angeles | JD - Juris Doctor | 2005 |
Harvard University | AB - Bachelor's Degree | 2001 |
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 |
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 |
Posted by anonymous
September 17, 2020
Posted by Herlinda
March 25, 2014
Posted by darren
March 6, 2014
Posted by Lisa Marie
February 23, 2014
Posted by Eden
February 13, 2014
Posted by Gina
January 31, 2014
Posted by Joe
December 10, 2013
Posted by anonymous
November 2, 2013
Posted by anonymous
February 4, 2014
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.
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.
Cash, Check, Credit Card