Tom’s nationwide practice focuses on traditional labor/management issues, HR counseling, and employment litigation.
He devotes much of his attention to labor/management relations and NLRB matters. Peers have commented that “he is one of the most recognized traditional labor lawyers in Virginia.” He represents employers across the country in collective bargaining, grievances/arbitrations, NLRB litigation, union organizing and decertification campaigns, strike management, and other issues under collective bargaining agreements. Tom has extensive experience representing government contractors regarding collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, Service Contract Act compliance, and related issues. He regularly serves as chief spokesman in union negotiations and has handled more than 100 labor arbitration cases.
Outside traditional labor matters, Tom’s practice embraces the full range of labor and employment issues ranging from discipline/discharge, workforce reductions, handbooks and agreements, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, wage/hour compliance, health and disability, employee leave and benefits, and unfair competition. He represents employers before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, including the NLRB, EEOC, DOL, and OFCCP. Tom, along with Patice Holland, prevailed against the EEOC in a jury trial of a Title VII sexual harassment claim, obtaining a defense verdict on all counts.
Best Lawyers in America named Tom as the 2024 Roanoke Lawyer of the Year for Employment Law‑Management and previously has named him Roanoke Lawyer of the Year for Labor Law‑Management and Litigation – Labor & Employment. Tom is a Fellow in the Roanoke Law Foundation and a past member of the Virginia Bar Association’s Board of Governors. He currently serves on the Governance Committee for the VBA’s Board of Governors and the Roanoke City Manager’s Economic Advisory Panel.
Chambers USA ranks Tom as a leading Virginia attorney in the Labor and Employment practice area. Tom has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America since 2004 and is cited in the following practice areas: Labor Law – Management, Employment Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor and Employment. He has been acknowledged in Virginia Business magazine as a Legal Elite, by Virginia Lawyers Weekly as a “Go To Lawyer” for Employment Law, and named to the Virginia Super Lawyers list. Tom has received an AV Preeminent Rating and a Client Distinction Honor from Martindale-Hubbell, and a 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo.
Tom received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and graduated cum laude from the University of Richmond Law School where he was a member of the McNeill Law Society and the Client Counseling and Negotiations Board.