With a long track record representing Fortune 500 corporations and other employers in multifaceted employment litigation, from high-profile cases involving public entities to a landmark decision in the Texas Supreme Court, Tom’s storied history and deep understanding of the technical nuances of labor and employment law benefit clients struggling with the complexities of today’s workforce landscape.
Tom has represented midsized businesses, Fortune 500 corporations and public entities in labor and employment disputes across a wide range of issues. Currently, he spends much of his time advising employers on labor and employment issues, educating management on the prevention of potential disputes, developing noncompete agreements and counseling on other thorny employment issues.
Primarily representing employers, Tom has extensive jury trial experience, having represented clients in state and federal courts at all levels in litigation regarding claims involving covenants not to compete; misappropriation of trade secrets; and discrimination based on race, national origin, gender, age, sexual harassment, disability, religion, pregnancy and retaliation. He has represented public employers, including the City of Dallas and Parkland Hospital, in statutory employment law claims, as well as in claims for deprivation of civil rights, procedural and substantive due process, and First Amendment violations.
In a decision that set aside 18 years of case law, in 2011, Tom was lead counsel for the trial and appellate team that obtained a landmark decision in the Texas Supreme Court holding that a business’ goodwill is an interest that can be protected by a covenant not to compete in an employment setting.