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. He has been admitted to practice by special admission before federal courts in Tennessee, Kansas, Oregon, Washington, and South Carolina.

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. He is also among a select group of lawyers, recognized in the category of Employment, listed in a nationwide client survey published in Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business.

• Louisiana State University, J.D., 1984; Board of Editors, Louisiana Law Review
• Louisiana Tech University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1981; varsity football and active member of Tech Theatre Players and local community theaters

• Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1989.
• Member: Louisiana State Bar Association; Baton Rouge Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; American Bar Association (Labor and Employment Law Section and EEO Subcommittee)
• Admitted to Practice: 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

• Numerous trials in federal and state courts involving various claims of discrimination and sexual harassment
• Obtained summary dismissal of numerous lawsuits involving claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, constitutional issues, tort and contract claims in federal and state courts.
• Assisted employers in drafting and implementing drug and alcohol free workplace policies, and litigated claims arising under such policies.
• Litigated numerous ERISA claims, including claims involving ERISA plans incorporated in collective bargaining agreements.
• Handled numerous matters before various administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contracts Compliance Program, Texas Commission on Human Rights, Louisiana Commission on Human Rights, and California Department of Industrial Relations.