Thomas K. Prindable was destined to be a great listener of people's problems.  As a young man, for 12 years he pursued the priesthood, reaching the final stages as a deacon in the seminary in the Roman Catholic Church in Chicago.  Then, just months before he was to be ordained, he decided life held different roads for him to follow.  Instead, he chose law, graduating from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1973 because he thought it was another field in which he could help the greatest number of people.  That's just what he does every day as Managing Partner at Clifford Law Offices.  He's the hub for all those who initially call the law firm for help.  "One of my more pleasant tasks is to personally meet with most of the new clients to ensure that their files are opened as accurately and expeditiously as possible.  "Tom said.  "I inform them of the office and court procedures that will follow in the handling of their causes of action.As part of his busy work schedule, Tom also administers the legal staff.  "My main objective is to provide the most effective and satisfying environment for the cases of the clients to be completed successfully and as efficiently as possible."  Tom leads the call, an office-wide meeting, every day at 4:30 p.m. at the office and is reminded of television shows like L.A. Law when he sits down at the large mahogany table in the large conference room.  "It's a time when I ensure that every court call, deposition, client interview and any other calendar event for the next day is covered," Tom said.  "It is a special time as well when the lawyers get to discuss significant legal issues each day, map out case strategy and develop collegiality."Although Tom has largely removed himself from the day-to-day trial practice, he says he enjoys his work immensely because of the number of people he can help each day.  "By being in charge of the intake process at the firm, I ensure that every person who contacts Clifford Law Offices has access to an attorney to discuss a possible cause of action."  Tom then sees to it that every inquiry is followed up with either a phone call, an office conference, a review of documentation or all of the above.  The firm consistently relies on Mr. Prindable's experience in probate matters, a critical area in tort law when the victim is deceased or disabled and requires the appointment of a guardian in a pending or anticipated lawsuit to protect the family's interests.Thomas Prindable is a highly organized and intelligent leader at the firm. His vast experience in a variety of areas of the law allows him to channel the cases to the appropriate attorneys and insures that court deadlines are met with the highest quality of lawyering.  Mr. Prindable's soft-spoken and kind-hearted manner as well as his boundless patience are demonstrated through his often 12-hour workdays which are spent counseling those involved in a terrible tragedy.  Clifford Law Offices is fortunate to have such a committed partner and experienced individual as Tom Prindable.