Thomas E. Berry, Jr.

Thomas E. Berry, Jr. is a Principal in the St. Louis, Missouri, office of Jackson Lewis P.C.

Mr. Berry’s practice is exclusively focused on representing management before state, federal or local administrative agencies as well as before both state and federal courts throughout the country. His practice is national in scope - he has represented employers in legal proceedings in over twenty different states. Mr. Berry has extensive litigation experience which permits him to effectively counsel and advise clients on a variety of employment related issues in order to ensure that effective human resource practices and procedures are followed in order to minimize any additional exposure.

Honors and Recognitions

•Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Chair of the Labor and Employment Law Sections (1998-1999)
•Illinois Business Journal, Southwestern Illinois All-Stars (2009)

Pro Bono and Community Involvement

•Ed Glen Chamber of Commerce
•Illinois Center for Autism, Board of Directors (2004-present)
•Madison County Urban League, Board of Directors (2006-present)
•Riverbend Chamber of Commerce
•United Way of Greater St. Louis, Southwest Division, Board and Executive Committee (2000-present)

Published Works

•“‘Reefer Madness’ goes mainstream in the Illinois workplace,” Illinois Business Journal (July 2019) [Author]
•“Minimum wage, equal opportunity cases to resurface in 2019,” Illinois Business Journal (December 2018) [Author]
•“Hobby Lobby ruling raises more questions than it answers,” Illinois Business Journal (September 2014) [Author]
•FMLA, ADA, Military and Other Legal Issues, A Guide for Illinois Employers, Illinois Chamber of Commerce (2011) [Editor, Principal Author]
•“Point/Counterpoint: The Abusive Work Environment Act,” (Illinois HB 374) Illinois Business Journal (December 2009) [Author]
•“The Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 800): a guarantee of ‘free choice’ or ‘no choice?’,” Illinois Business Journal (May 2007) [Author]
•“Point/Counterpoint Introduction: The Prevailing Wage,” Illinois Business Journal (October 2006) [Author]
•“A primer on project labor agreements: the PLA explained,” Illinois Business Journal (April 2006) [Author]

Speeches

“Legislative Update for Illinois Employers,” Metro East Illinois SHRM (Fairview Heights, IL, September 2018) (presenter)

Thomas E. Berry, Jr. In the News

Thomas Berry Discusses Impact of Marijuana Legalization on Drug Testing Practices

February 24, 2020 • Radio.com

Thomas Berry Discusses Implications of New Illinois Law Legalizing Marijuana and its Impact on Drug-Free Workplace Policies

November 6, 2019 • St. Louis Public Radio KWMU

The Best Lawyers in America 2020 Honors Jackson Lewis Attorneys

August 15, 2019 • Jackson Lewis

Thomas E. Berry, Jr. Blog Posts

Wage and Hour

Illinois Governor Signs $15 Minimum Wage Law

February 20, 2019
Wage and Hour

Illinois Legislature Approves Bill to Raise Minimum Wage to $15.00, Sends to Governor for Signature

February 15, 2019
Wage and Hour

Illinois Legislature Fast-Tracks Bill to Raise Minimum Wage to $15.00

February 8, 2019