A graduate of Louisiana Tech University and LSU Law School (where he was a member of Louisiana Law Review and Order of the Coif), Tom clerked for United States District Judge Earl Vernon before entering private practice.
After practicing with two large defense firms, Tom joined the firm in 1991 and is now the firm’s senior partner. Tom has handled numerous multimillion dollar cases ranging from automobile defect cases to toxic tort and environmental exposure cases to securities lawsuits for defrauded investors, just to name a few.
Tom has developed an expertise in class actions and has spearheaded medical provider litigation, which has to date resulted in recovering over $300 million via judgments and settlements in favor of Louisiana healthcare providers who have been underpaid for their services. Tom has also handled thousands of workers’ compensation claims as well as a wide variety of plaintiff personal injury and commercial litigation matters.
Areas of Practice
50% Class Action & Related Litigation
25% Plaintiff Personal Injury & Commercial Litigation
Litigation Percentage
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
Louisiana, 1988
U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana, 1988
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1991
Education
Louisiana State University Law Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
J.D. – 1988
Honors: With Honors
Honors: Order of the Coif
Law Review: Law Review, Member
Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana
B.S. – 1985
Major: Business Finance
Published Works
“Stipulated Attorneys Fees – A Compromising Position,” Louisiana Law Review, 1987
Representative Cases
Gunderson v. F.A. Richard, 44 S.3d 779 (La. 3d Cir. 2010)
Stutes v. Koch Services, 629 S.2d 987 (La. 3d Cir. 1994)
Honors and Award
U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers, 2011 – 2016
SuperLawyers, 2011 – 2016
Top Lawyers of Acadiana Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions- 2014, 2015
Top Lawyers of Acadiana Workers Compensation Law- 2014, 2015
Professional Associations and Memberships
LSBA, Member
Past Employment Positions
U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana, Law Clerk, 1988 – 1989
Pro Bono Activities
Project Build a Future – Officer and Board of Directors, 2001 – 2012
Fraternities/Sororities
Sigma Nu
