Tom is a trial lawyer. He believes in the power of the courtroom – the great equalizer. Regarded among his peers as an outstanding trial attorney and tenacious advocate, Tom relishes the challenge of helping his clients. He has a track record for successfully litigating complex cases against the toughest opponents. He loves his work.
Tom focuses his practice on three areas. He represents those injured by products that were dangerously designed or manufactured. This includes harms caused by a car manufacturer or a company that used asbestos-containing products that caused mesothelioma, as well as a myriad of other products. He also represents those who have been harmed due to the neglect of professional service providers, such as a nursing home facility, a medical professional, and other professionals; these cases include sexual assault and professional malpractice. Lastly, Tom accepts cases where trial is imminent or likely. He has represented clients in employment matters, contract disputes, and other general litigation issues.
Tom began his law career as a Deputy King County Prosecutor, where he first-chaired scores of trials to verdict. Prior to joining SGB, he was lead counsel for the litigation team of a boutique law firm and worked at a commercial litigation firm, where he tried a variety of cases in court and at arbitration.
Prior to law school, Tom completed two years of public service with Teach for America and taught college in Spain and in San Francisco, California. During law school Tom clerked for celebrated trial attorney Dick DeGuerin and was the recipient of a Cain fellowship, which sent him to Latin America to work on environmental law issues for Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Antonio Herman Benjamin.
Tom is a publisher of the Washington Product Liability blog and a contributing author to the Washington Product Liability Deskbook. Tom is also a frequent presenter on trial techniques. He also serves on the faculties of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and the University of Washington School of Law, instructing lawyers and law students on trial advocacy. He has been selected as a Super Lawyer by Washington Law and Politics. He is fluent in Spanish and speaks Portuguese.
