Thomas Mooney is active in all areas of school law, including labor negotiations for certified and non-certified staff, teacher tenure proceedings, grievance arbitration, freedom of information hearings, student disciplinary matters, special education disputes and all other legal proceedings involving boards of education. In addition, Tom has taught school law at the University of Connecticut School of Law since 1985, and has served as Professor in Residence at the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut since 2001.
Tom is the author of A Practical Guide to Connecticut School Law (9th Edition, 2018), a comprehensive treatise on Connecticut school law, published by CABE and used by teachers, administrators and board of education members throughout the state. He also writes two monthly columns, "See You in Court!," which appears in the CABE Journal, and "Legal Mailbag," which appears in the CAS Bulletin. In 2000, CABE awarded Tom its Friend of Public Education award, and in 2001, the Connecticut Association of Schools awarded Tom its Distinguished Friend of Education Award, its highest award for persons not directly involved in public education. Tom is Co-Chair of the firm’s School Law Practice Group.
- AV Preeminent® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer®: Schools & Education (2007; 2014-2019)
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: Education Law; Employment Law; Labor Law (2006-2020)
- Named "Lawyer of the Year" (2013, 2015, 2016, 2018): Best Lawyers Hartford Region Education Law
- Named "Lawyer of the Year" (2020): Best Lawyers Hartford Region Employment Law
- Named "Lawyer of the Year" (2017): Best Lawyers Hartford Region Labor Law
- President's Award, New England Association of School Superintendents (2017)
- Professional Excellence Award, Connecticut Law Tribune (2016)
- Distinguished Friend of Public Education Award, Connecticut Association of Schools (2001)
- Friend of Public Education Award, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (2000)
- American Bar Foundation: Fellow
- Connecticut Bar Foundation: James W. Cooper Sustaining Life Fellow
- Harvard International Law Journal, Articles Editor
- University of Connecticut: Professor in Residence, Neag School of Education
- University of Connecticut School of Law: Adjunct Professor, Law and Public Education
- American Bar Association
- Connecticut Bar Association
- Hartford County Bar Association
- Connecticut School Attorneys Council: Former President