An experienced litigator who is creative and thoughtful in developing successful litigation strategies.
Overview
Tom's practice focuses on serving the securities and financial services industries, including defending securities brokers and dealers, financial services firms and financial professionals in litigation and arbitration. He also advises and represents brokers and dealers and their registered representatives in regulatory investigations and actions launched by the Securities Exchange Commission, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and state securities commissioners.
Tom also represents telecommunications clients in litigation and regulatory matters. He serves as general counsel to the boards of several trade associations, providing corporate governance and antitrust advice.
He has served as lead counsel in state and federal courts and arbitration proceedings before major self-regulatory organizations, private dispute resolution organizations and regulatory agencies throughout the United States. Tom has also successfully argued before the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second, Third and Fifth Circuits.
Prior to joining Stinson, Tom served as the New York office managing principal of a preeminent, national, full-service law firm.
Experience
Represented a broker-dealer concerning allegations of material omissions about the sale of auction rate securities at trial in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, and on appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Represented the CEO of a publicly-traded oil and gas company in a securities class action, following the revision of audited financial statements concerning reported natural gas reserves.
Represented national broker-dealers and registered financial advisors in dispute resolution before FINRA and in state and federal courts across the country and before the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
Represented a national broker-dealer in a case where a registered representative was selling away from the firm. Defeated class allegations and settled the matter on terms very favorable to the client.
Defeated claims against a broker-dealer and financial advisor concerning the sale of variable annuities in Louisiana state court, arguing that the variable annuities were insurance products and the plaintiff's claims were therefore time-barred.
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
Tom is a frequent speaker at seminars for the Practising Law Institute and Tulane University School of Law. He also taught securities law at a New York Law School-Tulane Law School jointly-sponsored program in London, England.
Publications
Tom has authored many articles for the Practising Law Institute and Tulane University School of Law.
Recognitions
Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America, 2005-2023
"Lawyer of the Year," Best Lawyers in America, Securities/Capital Markets, 2014
Louisiana Super Lawyers list, 2007, 2010-2014, 2016-2017
"Top Lawyers," New Orleans Magazine
Martindale-Hubbell, Rated AV® Preeminent™
Joseph J. Arenson Award
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
American Bar Association
Association of the Bar of the City of New York
Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Court
Gleason Foundation
- Investment Committee
Louisiana State Bar Association
New Jersey State Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Resource Bank
- Advisory Board
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
- Legal and Compliance Division
Telluride Academy
- Former board member
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Louisiana
- New Jersey
- New York
- U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second, Third and Fifth Circuits
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of New York
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
- Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana
- Eastern District of Texas
Education
New York Law School, J.D., 1988
Manhattan College, B.A., 1984
