Tom Ryder, Esq.

E. Thomas Ryder

Attorney at Law, CPA

Raised on Chicago’s north side, E. Thomas (Tom) Ryder graduated from Saint Ignatius College Prep.  After attending the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign for three years (but no degree), including a year-long study abroad program in Wales, Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force.  Achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, Tom served over nine years active duty with honor and distinction while stationed in various foreign locations and duty assignments.

Honorably discharged, Tom resumed his education benefiting from the G.I. bill and graduating with a degree in business from the University of Maryland.  In 1998 Tom passed the CPA exam on his first attempt and worked as an accountant for one year.  Utilizing the Illinois veterans’ grant together with the G.I. bill, Tom graduated from Northern Illinois University College of Law.  Tom passed the bar exam in 2002 and has represented taxpayers before the IRS and various governmental agencies ever since.

Tom is married to lovely Dr. Lanhui Ryder, and although blessed with no children of their own, temporary guardians of Lanhui’s nephew Charlie, a freshman attending University of California, Berkeley.  Tom’s hobbies include Shoto-kai karate, an ancient martial art.

Maureen Ann Raya                    

Office Manager

After growing up on Chicago’s north side, Maureen graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor degree in Speech Communications. Work experience includes Pitney Bowes leasing division and three years with Accenture’s human resource division. At Accenture Maureen coordinated and assisted new hires throughout their first year with training and staffing issues. Together with her husband, Paul Raya, they have four marvelously talented children ages ten through sixteen. “Free time” is perennially busy with sporting, academic and social activities.