Thomas Geoghegan Life and Work

Thomas Geoghegan was an American lawyer, labor leader, and author. He was born in 1949 and passed away in 2019.

Geoghegan's early life was marked by a strong connection to his Irish heritage. His father was an Irish immigrant who played a significant role in shaping his son's values and worldview.

Geoghegan's work as a lawyer focused on labor law, and he was a vocal advocate for workers' rights. He was particularly interested in the impact of globalization on American workers.

As a labor leader, Geoghegan was a key figure in the United Electrical Workers (UE) union.

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Thomas Geoghegan is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Harvard College. He has been a member of the Illinois Bar since 1980.

He has a long history of representing labor unions and employee groups in significant cases. He has argued before the United States Supreme Court in Union Pacific Railroad Company v. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, 558 U.S. 67 (2009), in which the firm won a 9-0 decision.

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Thomas has also brought several constitutional rights cases, including Judge v. Quinn, 612 F.3d 537 (2010) establishing the right of Illinois voters to fill U.S. Senate vacancies by election. This shows his dedication to upholding the rights of citizens.

He has represented thousands of workers in plant closings, recovering millions of dollars for workers at Wisconsin Steel and Outboard Marine Corporation.

Thomas Geoghegan's career has been marked by a passion for labor rights and social justice. He graduated from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati in 1967 and later from Harvard University and Harvard Law School.

After law school, Geoghegan went on to represent various labor unions, including the United Mine Workers and the Teamsters for a Democratic Union. He currently works at Despres, Schwartz and Geoghegan Ltd.

Geoghegan has also made a name for himself as a writer, with his work appearing in numerous publications, including The New Republic, the Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times. His commentary has been featured on various TV and radio programs, including National Public Radio, Nightline, and PBS's WTTW-11.

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Here are some of his notable books:

Geoghegan graduated from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati in 1967.

He later went on to attend Harvard University and Harvard Law School, where he likely gained valuable knowledge and skills that have served him well in his career.

Geoghegan has had a diverse range of professional experiences, representing various organizations, including the United Mine Workers and the Teamsters for a Democratic Union.

He currently works at Despres, Schwartz and Geoghegan Ltd., where he can utilize his expertise to make a meaningful impact.

Geoghegan's writing has been featured in numerous publications, including The New Republic, the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, and Harper's Magazine.

He has also made appearances on various TV shows and news programs, such as National Public Radio, Nightline, and CBS Sunday Morning.

Here are some of the notable books written by Geoghegan:

Geoghegan supports the National Popular Vote compact for presidential elections, which he believes would increase electoral responsiveness, transparency, and accountability.

He argues that over 90% of Congressional seats are "safe", making it difficult for challengers to unseat incumbents and discouraging voter participation.

In contrast, Germany and other northern European countries have found a balance between capitalism and socialism, which Geoghegan believes the US could learn from.

Geoghegan also thinks the filibuster in the US Senate is undemocratic and unconstitutional under current rules, as it allows a small group of senators to hold up legislation that a majority of the country supports.

Less than 9% of the population resides in 20 states that represent 40% of the seats in the Senate, highlighting the need for reform in the way congressional districts are drawn.

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As a lawyer, I've seen many clients who've lost their health insurance or been fired due to illness. They're often people who've gone from making $14,000 to $120,000 a year.

Voting for a CEO like Romney may raise the chances that you'll end up in a lawyer's office, like mine. I've represented electricians, waitresses, cabbies, engineers, and even lawyers who've been affected by such changes.

A vote for a CEO like Romney may result in you losing your job or health insurance. I've seen it happen to people who never thought they'd be in such a situation.

It's a small change, but it can have big consequences, like ending up in a lawyer's office, asking for help. My answer to clients in such situations is always the same: no, there's nothing I can do to help.