R. Thomas Groves
Practice Areas
“Tom provided expertise and guidance for my father in developing and implementing his complex estate planning and since the death of my father Tom has guided me through the administration of my fatherâs estate and the accomplishment of my fatherâs wishes, as well as my own estate planning. Tom has shepherded me every step of the way.”
— Jill Bee
“When we talk with Tom we feel like we are talking with a friend, rather than just a lawyer.”
— Gary and Tina Millican
Biography
During his 46 years of practice, and 31 years at Jackson Walker, Tom Groves concentrated his practice in the areas of estate and wealth transfer planning, estate administration, trust administration, and guardianships. Tom worked with individuals, couples, and families in developing, documenting, and implementing a wide range of basic and sophisticated estate and wealth transfer plans, including cross-border planning for persons who were not U.S. citizens or domiciliaries, or for U. S. citizens or domiciliaries who owned property abroad.
Tom also represented and advised executors, administrators, guardians, and trustees in administering estates and trusts, including contested matters, and he represented and advised beneficiaries and third parties such as creditors regarding their rights and interests in estates and trusts.
Tom previously chaired Jackson Walker’s Trusts & Estates practice group.
For Tom, the most important time spent in his practice was the time he spent listening to his clients.
Jackson Walker features profiles of its Retired Partners in recognition of their long and accomplished service to the firm, our clients, and our communities. Our Retired Partners are no longer practicing law. If you are interested in consulting with a Jackson Walker lawyer in the practice area in which Tom worked, please email us here. We will connect you with someone who can be most helpful for your inquiry, or pass along a personal message to Tom.
Education
B.A., Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
J.D., cum laude, SMU Dedman School of Law
- Order of the Coif
- Class of 1974 Standard Bearer
- Notes and Comments Editor, Southwestern Law Journal
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Tax Court
Professional Certifications
Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law
- Wealth transfer planning, including limited partnership entity planning, and estate administration for family where major asset was a 2600+ acre family farm
- Wealth transfer planning, including life insurance planning and business succession planning for members of family with operating oil and gas drilling equipment
- Federal tax reporting issues for U.S. beneficiary of a foreign trust owning business entities in multiple foreign jurisdictions
- Wealth transfer planning, including limited partnership entity planning and gift planning, for lottery winners
- Wealth transfer planning for citizens of Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other foreign jurisdictions
- Wealth transfer planning for owner of multi-state casualty insurance business, including sale of an interest in the business to trust for family members
- Administration and settlement of an estate valued at approximately $750 million with a wide variety of holdings, including improved and unimproved real estate, ranching operations, closely-held banking operations, coin collection, precious metals, and foreign investments
- Dallas/Fort Worth Five Star Financial Service Professional Award, 2015-2016
- Five Star Estate Planning/Financial Services, Five Star Professional, 2014, 2015
- Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013-2020
- Top Lawyer in Dallas, LexisNexis, 2010
- Texas Top Attorney, ALM, 2014-2016
- AV Preeminent Peer-Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
- Dallas Bar Association â Probate, Trusts & Estates Section
- Council Member, 2003-2005
- Dallas Estate Planning Council
- Board of Governors, 2005-2007
- Southwestern Medical School/UT Southwestern Estate Planning Council
- YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Foundation, Planned Giving Council
- State Bar of Texas â Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section
- Dallas Bar Association â Probate Transfer and Estates Section
- Dallas Seminary Foundation, Professional Advisory Board
- Texas Bar Foundation, Sustaining Fellow
October 19, 2020
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 54 âTexas Super Lawyersâ of 2020
Spanning five offices, 19 practice areas, and experience ranging from 12 to 52 years, Jackson Walker’s 2020 “Texas Super Lawyers” have been nominated by peers within and outside the Firm.
September 4, 2019
Attorney News
52 Jackson Walker Attorneys Named to 2019 ‘Texas Super Lawyers’ List by Thomson Reuters
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team.
February 13, 2018
Insights
Jackson Walker’s Online Interactive Analysis of the Tax Reform Law is Available Now
On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed the âTax Cuts and Jobs Actâ into law, launching the most significant tax reform in over 30 years. The new law significantly impacts citizens and companies alike in both their domestic and foreign income and assets.
September 6, 2017
Attorney News
53 Jackson Walker Attorneys Named to 2017 “Texas Super Lawyers” List
Thomson Reuters has named 53 Jackson Walker attorneys to its 2017 âTexas Super Lawyersâ list. According to Thomson Reuters, the list recognizes a âcredible, comprehensive and diverseâ selection of âoutstanding attorneys,â and serves as a resource for those in search of legal counsel.
September 29, 2016
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 54 Attorneys Added to 2016 “Texas Super Lawyers” List
Jackson Walker congratulates the 54 attorneys who were included in the 2016 “Texas Super Lawyers” list by Thomson Reuters.
September 8, 2015
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 51 ‘Texas Super Lawyers’
Fifty-one Jackson Walker attorneys were selected as 2015 “Super Lawyers” by Thomson Reuters. The list will be published in the October issue of Texas Monthly magazine.
August 5, 2015
Attorney News
William Hornberger, Cale McDowell, Steve Moore and Tom Groves Speak at Texas Society of CPAs’ 2015 Oil & Gas Institute
Jackson Walker attorneys William Hornberger, Cale McDowell, Steve Moore, and Tom Groves spoke at the Texas Society of CPAs’ Oil & Gas Institute on July 16, 2015, in Dallas, Texas.
December 10, 2014
Attorney News
Tom Groves Speaks on Estate and Legal Planning for Canadians Living in the U.S.
Jackson Walker partner Tom Groves served as a panelist at The Canadian Club of Houston’s Cross Border Tax, Estate and Investment Planning Seminar on November 18, 2014, in Houston.
November 13, 2014
Attorney News
Tom Groves and Lisa Powell Speak on Wealth Planning for Expatriates
Jackson Walker partners Tom Groves and Lisa Powell spoke at the Consulate General of Sweden on November 3, 2014, in Houston.
September 5, 2014
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 51 ‘Texas Super Lawyers’
Fifty-one Jackson Walker attorneys were selected as 2014 “Super Lawyers” by Thomson Reuters. The list will be published in the October issue of Texas Monthly magazine.
Practice Experience
- Wealth transfer planning, including limited partnership entity planning, and estate administration for family where major asset was a 2600+ acre family farm
- Wealth transfer planning, including life insurance planning and business succession planning for members of family with operating oil and gas drilling equipment
- Federal tax reporting issues for U.S. beneficiary of a foreign trust owning business entities in multiple foreign jurisdictions
- Wealth transfer planning, including limited partnership entity planning and gift planning, for lottery winners
- Wealth transfer planning for citizens of Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other foreign jurisdictions
- Wealth transfer planning for owner of multi-state casualty insurance business, including sale of an interest in the business to trust for family members
- Administration and settlement of an estate valued at approximately $750 million with a wide variety of holdings, including improved and unimproved real estate, ranching operations, closely-held banking operations, coin collection, precious metals, and foreign investments
Recognition & Accolades
- Dallas/Fort Worth Five Star Financial Service Professional Award, 2015-2016
- Five Star Estate Planning/Financial Services, Five Star Professional, 2014, 2015
- Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013-2020
- Top Lawyer in Dallas, LexisNexis, 2010
- Texas Top Attorney, ALM, 2014-2016
- AV Preeminent Peer-Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
Community Involvement
- Dallas Bar Association â Probate, Trusts & Estates Section
- Council Member, 2003-2005
- Dallas Estate Planning Council
- Board of Governors, 2005-2007
- Southwestern Medical School/UT Southwestern Estate Planning Council
- YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Foundation, Planned Giving Council
- State Bar of Texas â Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section
- Dallas Bar Association â Probate Transfer and Estates Section
- Dallas Seminary Foundation, Professional Advisory Board
- Texas Bar Foundation, Sustaining Fellow