F&S is pleased to welcome its newest of counsel attorney, Tom Healey.

During his thirty years of practicing law, Tom has advised railroads on a variety of subjects as both in-house and outside counsel.  Raised in a railroad family in Chicago’s suburbs, Tom’s early legal work focused on grade crossing and trespasser litigation, FELA claims, and commercial disputes.  More recently, his practice has encompassed two primary areas of railroad law: regulatory (including matters involving the Surface Transportation Board, Federal Railroad Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and numerous state regulatory and permitting agencies) and contract (including development, negotiation, and enforcement).  Tom’s eighteen years serving as in-house counsel at three different railroads affords him particular insight into the client’s need for effective, efficient, and practical legal guidance.  He is very familiar with the dual constraints of limited resources and short deadlines facing many clients.  Tom’s work with virtually all railroad departments allows him to “connect the dots” to assure all internal stakeholders are advised and their views are taken into account in resolving every matter.  Tom resides in Oak Park, Illinois, where he is busily engaged in raising an aspiring collegiate punter.  His hobbies include reading, baseball, and tropical fish.

Shirley Blazejczyk recently joined F&S as a litigation attorney representing clients in both state and federal court.  Prior to joining F&S, Shirley was a civil litigator with both in-house and outside counsel experience in insurance defense, municipal law, and government-entity liability representing transportation companies, railroads, schools, villages, park districts, police officers and a housing authority.  Shirley graduated from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana (B.A. in Speech Communications and Political Science) and received a J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan.  Shirley is licensed to practice law in Illinois and before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois with a Wisconsin bar application pending.  In her free time, Shirley teaches spin classes and enjoys outdoor activities like running or biking on the Chicago lakefront.

F&S’s newest paralegal, Noelle del Toro, hails from sunny San Diego but has been living in Chicago for the past three years. Noelle’s previous legal experience includes firms specializing in personal injury and employment law. She completed her paralegal studies program at Cuyamaca Community College and also holds a B.A. in political science from Arizona State University. Noelle enjoys traveling and fitness, and plays roller derby with the Windy City Rollers.

Angie Harrison is F&S’s newest legal assistant. Prior to joining F&S, Angie spent most of her career in the insurance industry in various technical and account management roles. Originally from New York City, Angie has a newfound appreciation for the Windy City, and enjoys knitting, reading, and theater in her spare time.