Tom’s practice focuses on business litigation and international arbitration.

Tom represents clients in disputes involving the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the False Claims Act, business torts, breaches of contract, state consumer protection statutes, and other claims. He has trial experience in federal and state courts.  His trial successes include representation of a plaintiff in a contempt of court proceeding that resulted in a $14.75 million judgment.

Tom also has significant international arbitration experience.  He has represented clients in investment and commercial arbitrations administered by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”), the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) Court of International Arbitration, and other institutions.  Tom has been appointed to the Panel of Arbitrators of the Chinese Arbitration Association.

Previously, Tom served as a trial attorney at the Federal Trade Commission.

Relevant Experience

• Trial counsel in a federal court action in the Middle District of Florida for contempt of court that resulted in a judgment for the client of $14.75 million.
• Trial counsel for the plaintiff in a Maryland state court case alleging the violation of state and federal statutes that resulted in a judgment for the plaintiff.
• Counsel in Maryland Circuit Court case concerning the construction of an LNG export terminal that successfully defended against a proposed stay of construction.
• Obtained the dismissal of a case against data furnisher brought under the Fair Credit Reporting Act in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
• Counsel in the successful defense of a major student loan company against a state-wide, consumer class action in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California that resulted in dismissal on summary judgment.
• Successfully defended an African nation in an ICSID investment arbitration against claims it had (1) expropriated an investment; (2) discriminated against an investor; and (3) denied justice to an investor in violation of a Bilateral Investment Treaty.

• Represented the electric utility of the United Republic of Tanzania, in an ICSID arbitration concerning a disputed power plant.
• Represented a Lebanese hotel development company in two ICC arbitrations.
• Selected for panel of approved investment arbitration counsel for the ministry of an eastern European country.
• Represented an investor in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in an action confirming an ICSID award on an ex parte basis.
• Drafted multi-party arbitration clauses for multinationals, advised on aspects of investment arbitration, and counseled clients on the application of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.
• Member of the approved panel of arbitrators for the Chinese Arbitration Association.

Bar Admissions

Education
JD, University of Iowa College of Law, with high distinction, Order of the Coif, 2006BA, Haverford College, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 2003