Thomas A. Newkirk is a partner in Newkirk Zwagerman PLC. and has practiced law for over 35 years. For the last two decades, Tom worked to develop a specialization in implicit bias and stereotyping and infused that knowledge into his practice. In 2011 he was the first lawyer in the U.S. to prove the presence of implicit bias in court. Tom is a sought-out specialist in implicit bias who educates across all demographics and encourages organizations to apply science-based advances to design policies to reduce harm created by gender and racial biases in the workplace. His work has garnered recognition, including: Spirit of Martin Luther King Award- 2012, in recognition of dedication and outstanding service to the spirit of MLK, the NAACP Special Presidential Recognition Award- 2014, in recognition of dedication and outstanding service for the cause of social justice, Diversity Champion Award-2018, in recognition of work on the education of medical students on implicit racial bias affecting medical care. Tom now focuses his efforts on removing barriers for women in college athletics and maintains a national practice representing female coaches and administrators.
With the advent of AI via ChatGPT in 2023, Tom began educating himself on AI, including its moral and social impact on our future and practical aspects of infusing this technology into the practice of law. Tom believes this technology is transformational and that it's vital for lawyers to understand AI, whether it is to use that understanding to slow it down if humans are at risk, or to take advantage of AI for the benefit of our clients and society as a whole.