Thomas J. Bullock

Thomas J. Bullock is a seasoned litigator who handles complex, high-stakes disputes as a member of Bailey Glasser’s Commercial and Environmental Litigation Practice Group. A significant focus of his practice is agribusiness litigation where he represents large agribusiness clients in matters arising from agricultural production and marketing, including seven-figure crop damage claims and other disputes carrying substantial operational consequences. Tom’s broader practice includes complex commercial and environmental litigation, civil rights class actions, and employment disputes (particularly involving medical professionals).

Tom believes effective and winning litigation begins with a complete understanding of the client’s needs and the legal landscape. He develops a strategy tailored to each dispute, identifies the arguments most likely to resonate with the opposing party, judge, or jury, and continually evaluates where meaningful leverage can be created. His experience representing businesses, professionals, and individuals allows him to assess legal maneuvers from multiple perspectives and provide practical advice.

One example of Tom’s recent work is his successful resolution of a class of 87 African American job applicants who alleged that Des Moines Public Schools criminal-background-check policy improperly excluded them from employment without considering evidence of rehabilitation. After nearly a decade of litigation, the case resulted in a $1.5 million settlement, along with reforms requiring the district to consider rehabilitation when evaluating applicants with criminal records. Read more about that matter here.

Before joining Bailey Glasser, Tom spent nearly a decade representing plaintiffs in employment and civil rights matters. During law school, Tom interned for the Honorable Mark Cady, then Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court. After law school, he clerked for numerous Iowa district court judges which gives him valuable insight into how courts evaluate cases.

Tom is a former president of the Iowa Affiliate of the National Employment Lawyers Association. He earned his J.D. with high honors from Drake University Law School, where he served on the Drake Law Review and as Treasurer of the Moot Court Board. He also competed on the arbitration team, captained the ABA moot court team, and was inducted into the Order of the Barristers in recognition of excellence in written and oral advocacy.

Awards & Accolades

Best Lawyers Ones to Watch, Litigation - Environmental, Des Moines, Iowa (2024 and 2025) 

Representative Matters

• Obtained voluntary dismissal of claims brought by rice grower against agricultural inputs retailer. Grower alleged Defendant billed improper charges totaling low six figures and received nothing.  
• Obtained settlement for agricultural inputs retailer of claims by customer with 100% of settlement proceeds paid by co-defendant product applicator.
• Obtained $1.5 million settlement for class of job applicants excluded from employment based on school district’s racially discriminatory background check.  
• Obtained seven-figure settlement for physician in a wrongful termination and defamation case.
• Obtained settlement that included reinstatement and monetary relief for student physician asserting discrimination claims against medical residency program.
• Obtained six-figure settlement for municipal worker in race discrimination case against medium-sized city.
• Successfully reversed district court’s summary judgment order dismissing former employee’s gender discrimination claims against state’s largest milk processor. Plato v. Anderson Erickson Dairy Company, 908 N.W.2d 540 (Iowa Ct. App. 2017).

News & Insights

Community and Professional Activities

National Employment Lawyers Association, Former President

Iowa State Bar Association