homas Ely attended California State University at Northridge, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. After graduation, he was involved in the manufacturing of blood typing reagents at Baxter-Travenol Laboratories. He studied law at Pepperdine University, and received his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, in 1973. That same year he was admitted to the California State Bar and the California Central District of the U.S. District Court.

Since his admission to the California State Bar, Mr. Ely has been house counsel with a large insurance company, and a partner at two other defense firms. He has had extensive experience in cases dealing with products liability and insurance defense. He has been a member of  the American Board of Trial Advocates since 1983. Mr. Ely is currently a senior partner at Wesierski & Zurek LLP.