Thomas Gearon has dedicated his entire professional career to defending the rights of blue-collar workers and advocating for labor unions. As part of a collaborative initiative, Thomas played a pivotal role in submitting key language to the U.S. Secretary of Labor to amend the law, ultimately strengthening protections for union members.
This language was accepted into the Preamble of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which directly contributed to the successful settlement of a landmark lawsuit against the City for overtime violations. The settlement, valued at $23 million, not only benefited first responders but also opened the door for other labor unions to pursue similar claims. As a result, the City has paid out over $200 million to workers impacted by FLSA violations.
In addition to his work with labor unions, Thomas has secured millions of dollars for construction workers who were injured due to building owners failure to provide adequate safety protections. Throughout his career, Thomas has served as legal counsel to several prominent labor unions in New York City, earning a reputation as a tireless advocate for workers rights and safety.
Education
- University of Dayton School of Law JD
- University of Arizona EMBA
- Cornell University School of Labor Relations Certificate in Municipal Labor Union Studies
- NYPD Academy
- Admissions
- New York State Courts
- United States District of New York Southern District
- United States District of New York Eastern District