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Biography
After graduating from law school, Tom started working on insurance defense cases. He gained a reputation as a skilled trial lawyer, handling various types of cases such as car accidents, slip-and-falls, arsons, construction claims and products liability. Tom's ability to connect with jurors led other attorneys to refer clients with personal injury claims to him.
Tom has successfully represented clients on both sides of the courtroom. He sincerely believes that trying cases from both perspectives allows him to more thoroughly and objectively guide his clients through litigation. His experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants, along with his reputation for reasonableness, has led to a successful practice as a mediator.
At a young age, Tom achieved an AV Preeminent* rating through Martindale-Hubbell, which he still holds. He has been acknowledged in The Best Lawyers in America publication and was nominated for the esteemed position of 2020 President of the Kentucky Bar Association. Additionally, he has served as a Special Justice to the Kentucky Supreme Court and had the privilege of writing the opinion.
Tom is an active alumnus of the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law. He serves as a director for the College of Law Alumni Board. He was the president of the Alumni Association from 1997-2000. Tom is involved in the Bowling Green community, serving on various boards such as Crimestoppers, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Rotary, and Leadership Bowling Green Alumni Association. In 2020, he had the honor of serving as the president of the Kentucky Bar Association.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ falls into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Education
- University of Kentucky College of Law, Lexington, Kentucky
- J.D. - 1980
- University of Kentucky
- B.S. - 1977
Professional Associations
- Kentucky Bar Association, President, 2020
- University of Kentucky College of Law Alumni Board, President, 1997 to 2000
- American Bar Association
- Bowling Green and Kentucky Bar Associations
- American Association for Justice
- Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys
- Kentucky Defense Counsel
- American Board of Trail Advocates, Advocate
- The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- Kentucky Justice Association
Current Employment Position
- Shareholder
Practice Areas
- Personal Injury
- Products Liability
- Professional Liability
- Insurance Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Kentucky, 1980
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky, 1980
- U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky, 1980
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1986
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2017
Honors
- Named to Kentucky Super Lawyers, 2008–2022
- AV Rated By Martindale-Hubbell
- The Best Lawyers in America
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers