Thomas C. Costello
Admitted to practice in 1994, Mr. Costello, an AV rated litigator, began his legal career by representing securities broker-dealers in connection with their employment disputes, customer disputes and regulatory inquiries. In 2010, Tom formed the Costello Law Group and shifted the focus of his practice to the representation of customers in connection with their claims against investment professionals. He has successfully represented hundreds of individual investors across the United States to resolve their claims. Tom has represented individual investors against firms like Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Wachovia, Wells Fargo, Sun Trust, CIBC Oppenheimer, Metropolitan Life, John Hancock, Charles Schwab, Lincoln Financial Advisors, Ameriprise, Linsco Private Ledger, Smith Barney/Citigroup, BB&T and Prudential in addition to many other investment advisory firms, both large and small. He has also litigated claims against insurance, legal and tax professionals. Tom’s efforts have resulted in million dollar plus verdicts, awards and settlements for his clients.
In 2009, Tom earned a Legal Master’s Degree in Taxation (LLM) with a Certification in Estate Planning from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Tom has drafted and implemented tax efficient estate plans for high net worth individuals as well as for those individuals with more modest assets who simply want to make sure their family is provided for in the event of a tragedy. Tom is also experienced in representing estates, trusts (both trustees and trust beneficiaries) and heirs in the probate administration process as well as in estate disputes resolved through the court system.
Finally, Tom has represented hundreds of individuals with claims for personal injury and nursing home abuse/ neglect. Tom’s work in these areas of litigation has resulted in tens of millions of dollars recovered for clients.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Securities/Investor Rights Litigation
Estate Planning and Administration
Estate & Trust Dispute Litigation
Legal, Accounting, and Insurance Malpractice Litigation
Personal Injury/Nursing Home Neglect Litigation
BAR ADMISSIONS
Maryland, 1994
District of Columbia, 2000
U.S. District Court District of Maryland, 1995
U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia, 2001
U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2008
U.S. Supreme Court, 2000
EDUCATION
University of Baltimore School of Law, Baltimore, Maryland
L.L.M. (Taxation) – 2009
University of Baltimore School of Law, Baltimore, Maryland
JD cum laude – 1994
Washington & Lee University, Lexington, Virginia
B.A. – 1991
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
Mathews v. Cassidy Turley, et al., 435 Md. 584 (2013)
Barbour v. International Union, 640 F.3d 599, (4th Cir. 2011)
Commonwealth Equity v. Messick, 152 Md. App. 381, (2003)
Bollman v. Splash & Dash, LLC, Md. CSA, Sept. Term 2013, No. 2238 (2015)
Bollman v. Splash & Dash, LLC, Md. CSA, Sept. Term 2010, No. 1179 (2012)
CLASSES/SEMINARS
Liability Issues for Financial Planners, Financial Planners Assoc. of Md.
HONORS AND AWARDS
University of Baltimore National Appellate Advocacy Team
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association, Member, 2008 – Present
Maryland Association for Justice – Member 2010 – Present
Maryland State Bar Association, Member, 1994 – Present
Baltimore County Bar Association, Member
PAST EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS
West & Costello, Partner, 2003 – 2010
West & Moore, LLC, Associate/Partner, 1999 – 2003
Law Offices of John West, Associate, 1994 – 1999
