Tom, a Senior Partner and co-founder of Calcagni & Kanefsky, is a seasoned trial lawyer who focuses his practice on representing corporations and individuals in high-stakes government and regulatory investigations.
With substantial experience as both a Federal prosecutor and senior State law enforcement official, Tom is regularly called upon to represent entities and professionals in matters pending before federal and state law enforcement and licensing agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Offices of States Attorneys General, and state healthcare and professional licensing boards.
Tom has conducted internal investigations and serves as outside general, litigation, and compliance counsel for various companies and government entities.
Before co-founding Calcagni & Kanefsky, Tom was the First Assistant Attorney General for New Jersey, the State’s second highest-ranking prosecutor. He previously served for two years as New Jersey’s Director of the State Division of Consumer Affairs and for nine years as a Federal prosecutor.
As New Jersey’s First Assistant Attorney General, Tom managed large-scale criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions for the 8,000-employee Department of Law and Public Safety.
Overseeing the New Jersey State Police, the State Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, and New Jersey’s Divisions of Criminal Justice and Consumer Affairs, Tom directed hundreds of matters involving corruption, bribery, financial fraud, healthcare fraud, securities fraud, and consumer protection violations.
Prior to his appointment as First Assistant Attorney General, Tom was appointed by the Governor and unanimously confirmed by the Senate to serve as New Jersey’s Director of the State Division of Consumer Affairs. In that post, Tom led a staff of 600 in the investigation and prosecution of both civil and regulatory securities and healthcare matters, among other financial frauds and consumer law violations. During his service, the work of the agency received acclaim from lawmakers and media outlets for its effective regulation of thousands of businesses and professionals, and its proactive enforcement of the State’s Consumer Fraud Act.
As an Assistant United States Attorney, Tom served in the Civil, Criminal, and Special Prosecution Divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey where he investigated and successfully tried many high-profile matters involving false claims, fraud, and public corruption. Tom also served as the Environmental Crimes Coordinator for the District of New Jersey, working closely with the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Coast Guard, and the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice in investigating and prosecuting violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution From Ships, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other Federal environmental laws.
Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Tom practiced as a litigator with a prominent national litigation firm, representing both corporate and individual clients in all aspects of criminal and civil litigation.
Tom served as a judicial clerk for United States District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in the District of New Jersey, and for Appellate Judge Donald S. Coburn in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division.
During his Federal service, Tom received many commendations, awards, and letters of appreciation from the Department of Justice, FBI, IRS, and other federal and state agencies for excellence in investigative and trial work. The United States Attorney General appointed Tom to serve on the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, where he presided over personal injury hearings and determined compensation awards for 9/11 victims and their families.
As a senior official within the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Tom launched and led the Department of Law and Public Safety’s efforts to combat prescription drug abuse and diversion – including Project Medicine Drop, the State’s 365-day prescription drug take-back initiative, and the New Jersey Prescription Monitoring Program. Tom also devised and directed the State’s efforts outlawing dangerous designer drugs.
Since co-founding the Firm, Tom remains a dedicated advocate for the community and volunteers extensively with organizations that work with those affected by substance abuse. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for Daytop New Jersey, a comprehensive substance abuse treatment and education program, and is on the Board of Trustees for both Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and The Overdose Prevention Agency Corporation. Tom is also a member of the Board of Directors for New Jersey Reentry, which provides reentry services for formerly incarcerated people and those otherwise involved in the criminal justice system.
Tom is a former member of the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Task Force on Heroin and Other Opiate Use by New Jersey’s Youth and Young Adults. Tom also served on the Governor’s Advisory Ethics Panel.
As an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University School of Law for many years, Tom has taught Appellate Advocacy to second- and third-year law students.
Tom is also a supporter of the arts and serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Royal Family Productions, Inc., a New York City-based non-profit theatre committed to producing innovative theatre and providing quality theatre education.