Tom focuses his practice on the defense of individuals and entities in construction defect, personal injury and malpractice matters, where he participates in every aspect of litigation. He has experience as second chair attorney in state and federal jury trials and presenting oral argument before the Utah State Court of Appeals. Tom regularly participates in mediations, settlement negotiations and motion practice resulting in settlement or resolution of claims.
After law school, Tom moved back to Utah and began practicing litigation. His practice prior to joining Litchfield Cavo LLP involved state and federal misdemeanor and felony cases, which regularly required appearance and argument before city and district courts.
Practices
- Obtained summary judgment in a lawsuit wherein Plaintiffs’ alleged that our consulting firm client committed, or aided and abetted fraud during the sale of two commercial buildings; the court granted our attorneys’ defense motion for summary judgment, and later granted their motion for court costs and attorneys’ fees.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a construction company client, as well as a water conservancy district client, both allegedly having caused damage while installing pipelines near plaintiffs’ home as part of critical water infrastructure and implicated installation of pipelines in several Utah counties wherein plaintiff sued for property damage, loss of marketability and compensation for nuisance; the Court found as a matter of law that both the related construction noise and work was not a nuisance
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a financial institution client for a case involving the alleged mishandling of a cashier’s check, and plaintiff appealed, though subsequently denied per an Order of Affirmanceby the District Court; plaintiff filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the Utah Supreme Court seeking review of the legal analysis of the District Court and Court of Appeals, but the Supreme Court denied plaintiff’s petition in July 2021
Education
- University of Pittsburgh School of Law, JD, 2013
- CALI Excellence for the Future Award Recipient in Criminal Defense Practicum (fall 2012), Commercial Paper and Banking (spring 2013)
- National Moot Court Representative, Region III Baltimore
- University of Utah, BA, History and International Studies, 2010, with honors
- German Minor
- Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society
- Delta Phi Alpha German Language Honors
- Honors Praxis Lab: Canyonlands Completion Project
Admissions
- Utah
- United States District Court: District of Utah
Associations
- Salt Lake Center for Science Education, Middle School and High School Mock Trial Team Competitions Coach
Languages
- English
Professional Memberships
- Utah State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Litigation Section Member
Recognition
- Included among the Best Lawyers© Ones to Watch 2023 Edition in the categories of Banking and Finance Law, Construction Litigation and Professional Malpractice Law