Skip to content

Thomas M. Keranen

Of Counsel
fax +1 313.309.6850

Thomas M. Keranen is serving as Of-Counsel in Clark Hill PLC’s Construction Law Practice Group. Tom’s practice is concentrated on all legal aspects of the design and construction industries, representing the parties to the process, including owners, design professionals, contractors, program and construction managers, design-builders, sub and trade contractors, suppliers and vendors, sureties and insurers, on a wide variety of public and private projects, including federal and international construction.

Prior to commencing his law practice, Tom served in engineering functions for a state highway department, a major Midwestern city, facilities planning and construction at a major university, and as a project manager for a general contractor.

In a somewhat specialized practice area, over the years, Tom has represented many of Michigan’s Native communities in federal, state, and tribal courts, binding arbitration, and informal dispute resolution proceedings on matters involving casino and hotel initiatives, land and trust issues, the National Indian Gaming Act, Bureau of Indian Affairs issues, state compact issues, Michigan State Gaming Board, casino licensing, labor and employment issues, and many matters affecting the unique legal needs of tribal sovereignty, governance, construction and operations.

Tom is an industry supporter and is actively involved in the development and management of alternative forms of project delivery including Integrated Project Design (IPD); Building Information Modeling (BIM); Design/Build; and Public Private Partnerships (P3).

Education

J.D., Detroit College of Law, Detroit, Michigan, 1981, (now Michigan State University College of Law)
M.S., University of Michigan, Michigan, 1976, Engineering
B.S., Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, 1972, Civil Engineering

Recognitions

Named 2024 Top Lawyer by DBusiness

Named a Leading Lawyer in Detroit by Leading Lawyers℠ (2014-2025)

Named Detroit, Michigan’s Construction “Lawyer of the Year” in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®

Named Detroit, Michigan’s 2025 Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year” By Best Lawyers

Named among The Best Lawyers in America® for Construction Law ; Litigation-Construction (2019-2025)

Selected to the Michigan Super Lawyers list for Construction

DBusiness Top Lawyer (Construction)

Honorary Member of Sigma Lambda Chi Fraternity at Ferris State University for “contributions to the Construction Industry” and the Ferris Construction Management Program.

Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, Ann Arbor Chapter, “Young Engineer of the Year” in 1976

Memberships

State Bar Associations (Michigan, Florida, and Wisconsin)

American Bar Association, Construction Industry Forum, and Public Contract Law Committee

American Arbitration Association, Commercial/Construction Industry, Large Complex Case Mediation and Arbitration Panels

Associated General Contractors (AGC), National Association and Michigan Chapter

United States Court of Federal Claims Bar Association

Board of Contract Appeals Bar Association

Construction Owners Association of America (COAA), National Association and Michigan Chapter

Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA)

American Counsel of Engineering Companies (ACEC)

Washtenaw Contractors Association (WCA)

American Society of Civil Engineers

State Bar Licenses

Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

The Clark Hill approach is equally pragmatic and growth-minded, which is why we understand our clients’ toughest business challenges. Our multidisciplinary, global team of advisors focuses on smart legal solutions, delivered simply.

© 2025 Clark Hill PLC.