Tom is a partner and the practice coordinator of the employment law group in the Baton Rouge office. He also practices labor and employment law out of the firm’s Houston, Texas office. Tom has practiced labor and employment law almost exclusively since 1984. He represents primarily employers in both litigation and counseling in all areas of labor and employment, including discrimination, ERISA, sexual harassment, employee defamation, and other employment-related tort claims, employment contracts, OSHA, union matters, wage and hour, drug testing, and drafting and implementing employment policies. Tom represents employers in a wide variety of industries, including construction, equipment rental, banks, maritime, petrochemical, oil and gas exploration and production, insurance, gaming, governmental entities, educational institutions and restaurants, and has extensive trial experience in both federal and state courts.

Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar in 1990, Tom was a labor and employment attorney for nearly six years with the Houston law firm of Vinson & Elkins. He has taught labor and employment law as an adjunct at the LSU Paralegal School and is a frequent speaker on various employment law topics at seminars. He also provides training to employers and employees on topics such as sexual harassment, the Americans With Disabilities Act and other employment issues. Tom has been accorded the “AV” rating by the Martindale-Hubbell National Law Directory, which is the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards.

Tom is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court; United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; United States District Courts for the Middle, Eastern and Western Districts of Louisiana; United States District Courts for the Southern, Northern, and Eastern Districts of Texas; and all state courts of Louisiana and Texas. Has also been admitted to practice by special admission before federal courts in Tennessee, Kansas, Oregon, Washington, and South Carolina.