Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy

Hinsdale Magazine (HM): Tell us about your background and what brought you to the Chicago area?

Thomas Chute (TC): I grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, and attended St. Lawrence University in upstate New York. After graduating in 1990, I moved to Chicago to attend DePaul University College of Law. I’ve now lived in the Western Suburbs of Chicago for 34 years and built both my career and my family life here.

HM: What inspired you to become a trial lawyer?

TC: I’ve always believed in fairness and fighting for those who don’t have a voice. I started out at a large defense firm, but didn’t find it personally fulfilling.  Once I began representing individuals—people going through really difficult times—I realized that’s where I could make a difference. Helping someone recover from an injury, financially and emotionally, gives me a real sense of purpose.

HM: You’ve built a reputation as one of the top trial lawyers in the Chicago area. What do you think sets you apart?

TC: I take a common-sense, no-nonsense approach to every case. Juries respond well to honesty and clarity, and I try to keep things grounded and relatable. That style has helped me win cases and earn the trust of my clients and peers. I’ve also been honored to serve as an arbitrator on numerous cases, which is a role I take very seriously.

HM: Seven years ago, you helped start a new firm. What was the goal behind that?

TC: My partners and I wanted to create a practice that was more personal. Big firms can be intimidating and impersonal, especially for someone going through a traumatic event. We wanted to provide personal attention and really be there for our clients—from auto accidents to work related injuries and medical malpractice.  It’s about more than just legal strategy; it’s about support.

HM: Outside of the courtroom, how do you spend your time?

TC: I live in Hinsdale with my wife, where we raised our three children.  I’m a big sports fan and an avid golfer.  I serve on the Board of Directors for the Chicago District Golf Association.  I coached youth football and served on the Board for the Hinsdale Falcons football program.  I started the Clarendon Hills travel basketball team for 7th and 8th-grade boys.  My wife and I started also Chutehigher.org in honor of our son, Christopher Chute, who died in August 2021.  Chutehigher.org is a charitable organization which provides scholarships to Hinsdale Central High School and Depauw University students.

HM: What advice would you give young lawyers just starting out?

TC: Stay grounded, stay prepared, and remember who you’re fighting for. The law isn’t just about arguments—it’s about people. Represent them well, and everything else will follow.

Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy
300 E 5th Ave, Suite 230, Naperville, Illinois
(312) 775-0042
thenapervillelawyer.com