Thomas (Tom) Ruge's experience in immigration law includes assisting employers seeking to hire foreign employees through L, H, TN, E and permanent visas; visa portability to new employers; deportation and removal defense; adjustment of status; consular process for immigrant and non-immigrant visas; all aspects of immigration compliance for employers and individuals; family immigration; immigration consequences of criminal convictions; post-conviction remedies to ameliorate adverse immigration consequences; representation of the Country of Mexico's consular office in Indianapolis; and certification as an international commercial arbitration neutral.
Civil litigation matters he has handled include: disputes among owners of businesses; government land condemnation through eminent domain; state securities litigation; breach of contract; breach of fiduciary duty; non-compete violations and defense; civil rights; employment related litigation and many other complex disputes.
In the area of community based and rural health, Tom serves as general counsel for the Indiana Primary Health Care Association and for many individual community based health centers. This representation has involved initial corporate formation, tax exemption applications and status maintenance; all aspects of compliance with state and federal regulation of health care; licensing and credentialing; foreign medical graduate J visa waiver issues; HPSA and MUA designation issues; employment issues; real estate transactions including commercial leases, sub-leasing and purchases, provider employment agreements, affiliation agreements with hospitals and others, HIPAA and Red Flag compliance; and advice regarding all aspects of health center operations.
Non-profit organizations have been assisted by Tom in obtaining tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, state property and sales tax exemption issues; joint ventures with other tax exempt and non-tax exempt organizations; UBIT (unrelated business income) issues; corporate recordkeeping and other compliance matters.
Tom is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators ("FCiArb"), having completed the testing and other requirements for certification in international commercial arbitration.
With a focus on immigration, litigation, corporate, and health care matters, Tom offers consultative support tailored to serve the goals of each individual and organization. He works to craft thoughtful and efficient plans to help his clients stay on track, look forward, and resolve the issue at hand.
Tom has authored many articles in professional journals in the areas of civil litigation, structured settlement proposals, immigration law, medical malpractice and other personal injury litigation, international child custody disputes, and international business.
He is a frequent speaker to employers as well as legal and professional organizations on various topics including: civil litigation/business disputes, personal injury litigation, immigration law, international law, employment law, and health care law.
In addition, Tom was an adjunct professor teaching Immigration Law at the Indiana University McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis.