Thomas More Society
The Thomas More Society (TMS) is a Chicago-based national right-wing litigation firm. It has been registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 1999.[1] It litigates cases related to "religious freedom" and the First Amendment rights of anti-abortion protestors, including N.O.W. v. Scheidler.[2]
Contents
News and Controversies
Amistad Project Works to Overturn 2020 Presidential Election
Thomas More Society's Amistad Project was one of several conservative organizations that challenged the results of the November 2020 presidential election after Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump. The Amistad Project supported lawsuits filed in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The lawsuits included many claims "which [had] been mentioned in past unsuccessful lawsuits or [had] been criticized by election experts."[3]
Defending Center for Medical Progress Founder David Daleiden
Thomas More Society has defended anti-abortion activist David Daleiden since he was sued by Planned Parenthood for releasing selectively-edited, undercover videos of its employees in 2015.[4][5] David Daleiden is the founder of Center for Medical Progress and was mentioned as a friend of Project Veritas founder James O'Keefe in a 2009 college newspaper.[6]
Founding
The Thomas More Society was founded in 1997 to "continue defending the historic N.O.W. v. Scheidler case" that came before the Supreme Court in 1994.[2]
In 1993, "The National Organization for Women (NOW) sued a coalition of anti-abortion groups called the Pro-Life Action Network (PLAN) [alleging that] anti-abortion protesters were members in a nationwide conspiracy to obstruct women's access to abortion clinics through a pattern of racketeering activity including the actual or implied threat of violence."[7]
Thomas More Society helped anti-abortion activists win continuations of this case in 2003 and 2006.[2][8][9]
Clients
As of March 2022, TMS lists the following as its clients:As of March 2022:[10]
- Sr. Deirdre Byrne, POSC, M.D.
- Concerned Citizens of Michigan
- Jane Doe 1, Orthodox Jewish Families and Catholic Businessman
- Anonymous United States Air Force Officer
- John Doe and Jill Doe of San Diego
- Employees of Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Tastries Bakery and Bakery Artist Cathy Miller
- Louisville Police Officer Matthew Schrenger
- Plaintiffs United against University of Colorado Vaccine Mandate
- NY Medical Workers against Vaccine Mandate
- San Diego Friends of Junipero Serra High
- David Daleiden
- Pro-Life Action League
- And Then There Were None
- Pro-Life Wisconsin
- Sidewalk Advocates for Life
- 40 Days for Life
- Children of the Immaculate Heart
- Erika Schanzenbach
- Illinois Baptist State Association
- Missouri State Senator Paul Wieland
- Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo
- Our Lady’s Inn
- Fr. Kevin Robinson
- Fr. Trevor Burfitt
- South Bay United Pentecostal Church
- Church @ The Rock
- Rev. Steven Soos
- American Nativity Scene
Funding
Thomas More Society is not required to disclose its funders but major foundation supporters can be found through their IRS filings. Here are some known contributors:
- Alberto and Maria T Luzarraga Charitable Trust: $2,000 (2020)
- American Endowment Fund: $338,700 (2017-2020)
- American Online Giving Foundation: $26,584 (2019-2020)
- Ed Uihlein Family Foundation: $100,000 (2021)
- Diana Davis Spencer Foundation: $250,000 (2020)
- DonorsTrust: $2,321,500 (2016-2021)
Core Financials
2021[11]
- Total Revenue: $14,199,001
- Total Expenses: $13,175,227
- Net Assets: $6,463,239
2020[12]
- Total Revenue: $17,408,113
- Total Expenses: $14,212,876
- Net Assets: $5,439,465
2019[13]
- Total Revenue: $9,611,181
- Total Expenses: $8,727,801
- Net Assets: $1,966,848
2018[14]
- Total Revenue: $6,061,228
- Total Expenses: $5,521,863
- Net Assets: $1,083,468
2017[15]
- Total Revenue: $4,705,464
- Total Expenses: $4,839,610
- Net Assets: $544,103
2016[16]
- Total Revenue: $4,737,348
- Total Expenses: $4,544,348
- Net Assets: $681,675
2015[17]
- Total Revenue: $3,187,581
- Total Expenses: $2,839,678
- Net Assets: $494,080
2014[18]
- Total Revenue: $2,354,481
- Total Expenses: $2,302,621
- Net Assets: $196,177
Personnel
Staff
As of March 2022:[19]
- Thomas Brejcha, President and Chief Counsel
- Lauren Piller, Development Director
- Scott Maxwell, Development Director
- Crissy Mahoney, Development Coordinator
- Shantai Roberson, Receptionist/Office Assistant
- Venessa Hernandez, Administrative Assistant
- Caryn Talty, Communications Coordinator
- Tim Murphy, Researcher
Former Staff
- St. Christin M. Moskal, C.R., administrative services and director of donor relations emerita
- Dennis Vena, director of operations
Attorneys
As of March 2022:[20]
- Tom Brejcha, President and Chief Counsel
- Andrew Bath, Executive Vice President, General Counsel
- Peter Breen, Vice President and Senior Counsel
- Thomas Olp, Vice President and Senior Counsel
- Martin Cannon, Senior Counsel
- Matt Heffron, Senior Counsel
- Steve Crampton, Senior Counsel
- Martin Whittaker, Senior Counsel
- Michael McHale, Counsel
- Joan Mannix, Special Counsel
- Christopher Ferrara, Special Counsel
- Erick Kaardal, Special Counsel
- Mark F. Hearne II, Special Counsel
- Tim Belz, Special Counsel
- Rita Gitchell, Special Counsel
- Chuck LiMandri, Special Counsel
- Paul Jonna, Special Counsel
- Adam Hochschild, Special Counsel
- Sally Wagenmaker, Special Counsel
- Patrick Gillen, Special Counsel
- Jenna Ellis, Special Counsel
- Mary Catherine Hodes, Special Counsel
- Rebecca Messell, Special Counsel
- Helen Alvaré, Special Counsel
- Richard J. Wall, Jr., Special Counsel
- Jeffrey Trissell, Special Counsel
- Edward Greim, Special Counsel
- Matthew Mueller, Special Counsel
- Tim Griffin, Special Counsel
- Thomas W. King, III, Special Counsel
- Hon. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, Special Counsel
- Milan L. Brandon, II, Associate Special Counsel
- Michael Jacques, Special Counsel
- Angelo Artuso, Special Counsel
- Matt Belz, Special Counsel
Board of Directors
As of March 2022:[21]
- Thomas Brejcha, president
- Ann Scheidler, founding director and chairman
- Andrew Bath
- John Breen
- Edward Morse
- Thomas Olp
Contact Information
Thomas More Society
309 W. Washington St. Ste. 1250
Chicago, IL 60606
EIN: 36-4270023
Website: http://www.thomasmoresociety.org/
Phone: (312) 782-1680
Email: info@thomasmoresociety.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thomas-More-Society/162085912813
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThomasMoreSoc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThomasMoreSociety
Articles and Resources
IRS Form 990 Filings
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Related SourceWatch
- Center for Medical Progress
- Donald Trump
- DonorsTrust
- DonorsTrust and Donors Capital Fund Grant Recipients
- James O'Keefe
- Joe Biden
- Planned Parenthood
- Project Veritas
References
- ↑ Guidestar, Thomas More Society, organizational website, accessed January 9, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Thomas More Society, About, organizational website, accessed January 9, 2021.
- ↑ Craig Mauger, "2 Michigan lawmakers listed in suit seeking legislative approval of election results", Detroit News, December 22, 2020, accessed January 9, 2021.
- ↑ Thomas More Society, "Thomas More Society Will Fight Multimillion Dollar RICO Judgment in David Daleiden’s Baby Body Parts Exposé Trial", organizational website, November 15, 2019, accessed January 9, 2021.
- ↑ Sabrina Tavernise, "Planned Parenthood Awarded $2 Million in Lawsuit Over Secret Videos", New York Times, November 15, 2019, accessed January 9, 2021.
- ↑ Charles Johnson, "Student Anti-ACORN Sting in San Bernardino Will Help Bring It Down", Claremont Conservative, September 15, 2009. Archived August 23, 2015, accessed January 9, 2021.
- ↑ Oyez, National Organization for Women, Inc. v. Scheidler (1993), organizational website, accessed January 9, 2021.
- ↑ Oyez, National Organization for Women, Inc. v. Scheidler (2002), organizational website, accessed January 9, 2021.
- ↑ Oyez, National Organization for Women, Inc. v. Scheidler (2005), organizational website, accessed January 9, 2021.
- ↑ Thomas More Society, Clients, organizational website, accessed March 26, 2022.
- ↑ Thomas More Society, 2021 Form 990, organizational tax filing, October 25, 2022.
- ↑ Thomas More Society, 2020 Form 990, organizational tax filing, November 15, 2021.
- ↑ Thomas More Society, 2019 Form 990, organizational tax filing, August 27, 2020.
- ↑ Thomas More Society, 2018 Form 990, organizational tax filing, August 30, 2019.
- ↑ Thomas More Society, 2017 Form 990, organizational tax filing, August 29, 2018.
- ↑ Thomas More Society, 2016 Form 990, organizational tax filing, August 31, 2017.
- ↑ Thomas More Society, 2015 Form 990, organizational tax filing, July 10, 2016.
- ↑ Thomas More Society, 2014 Form 990, organizational tax filing, May 13, 2015.
- ↑ Thomas More Society, Staff, organizational website, accessed March 26, 2022.
- ↑ Thomas More Society, Attorneys, organizational website, accessed March 26, 2022.
- ↑ Thomas More Society, Board, organizational website, accessed March 26, 2022.
