Thom Knudson graduated with a law degree from Western State University in 1985. He moved to Petaluma in 1986 to start his practice with Behrens & Nelson. Thom has been serving multi-generations of families in Sonoma County with professionalism, compassion and integrity.
Thom has received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell® for 20 years. The AV rating is a peer review rating reflecting a combination of very high ethical standards and legal ability. He was also certified as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in 1992.
Prior to his work as an attorney, Thom Knudson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classics (Ancient Greek & Latin languages, History, Philosophy & Literature) from the University of Notre Dame. He then went on to attend Oxford University, U.K., for further studies in Classics. Upon returning from Oxford he worked for Suzuki Motor Corporation in Southern California for 12 years. He ended his tenure there in the position of National Advertising Manager, responsible for all advertising, promotions and public relations. Thom attended law school at Western State University at night while continuing to work for Suzuki.
Thom became an adjunct professor at Santa Rosa Junior College, Petaluma Center, where he taught Business Law and Real Estate Law from 1987 to 1995. From 1995 to 2000 he also taught at Golden Gate University.
Thom is a dedicated member of the Petaluma community and serves on a number of boards and advisory committees. He has served on the Board of Directors of Petaluma Educational Foundation since 1989, and was president in 2012-2013. He joined the Board of Directors of Petaluma People Services Center in 1988 and served as president from 1990 to 1994. During that period, PPSC constructed its main office and counseling facility on Petaluma Boulevard South and built the Senior Dining site on Novak Drive.
Thom has been a member of the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors since 1996, was President in 1999-2000, and currently sits on the Government Affairs and Community Awards Committees. Since 2007, Thom has been president of The Harrison Mecham Relief Fund, established in 1892 by Harrison and Melissa Mecham to aid the poor in Petaluma. He has also been an active member of the Lions Club since 1981.
In 2001 Thom was asked to help save the Phoenix Theater when it was slated to be converted to office space. He assisted with the buyout by local engineers, then created the Petaluma Phoenix Center nonprofit corporation and served as President for the first five years, through completion of the building retrofit. He received a Proclamation from the City of Petaluma and the HC² Healthy Community Recognition Award for service to the community.
Thom was Committee Chair of Petaluma Boy Scout Troop 8 from 2002 to 2008, and participated in annual 50-mile backpack treks. His son Ben earned Eagle Scout rank in 2007. Thom continues to participate on the scholarship committee.
In his spare time, Thom enjoys outdoor landscape photography and takes frequent backpack treks in the High Sierra with his camera. (LINK TO PHOTO GALLERY) He can be seen driving around Petaluma in his 1931 Model A, which he restored as a teenager. He is married to Lynn Knudson, EA, and has two wonderful sons, Tom & Ben, and one grandson, Hendrix.