Tom Thagard

About Tom Thagard

Over the past 30 years Tom has successfully tried cases, including intellectual property, breach of contract, torts, fraud and other complex commercial matters, in federal and state courts across the country. Regardless of where the case is, Tom is a go-to lawyer for some of the nation’s top companies from California to Texas to the Carolinas.Notable victories achieved for Tom’s clients include a resounding jury verdict in 2021 on behalf of Clayton Homes - one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and a division of Berkshire Hathaway - in a major trademark infringement suit in North Carolina federal court; a jury verdict in favor of Tyson Foods in a grower lawsuit alleging multiple tort claims; a successful jury verdict in favor of an individual defendant being sued for millions of dollars and punitive damages on allegations of fraud; and successful defense of a jury trial in south Texas alleging violations of RICO against a division of Berkshire Hathaway.In 2015 Tom served as co-counsel defending McWane, Inc, a manufacturer of ductile iron pipe, in an enforcement proceeding before the FTC. The eight-week administrative trial involved over exhibits and 53 witnesses, culminating in a 464-page decision - possibly the longest FTC decision in history. Ultimately, Maynard’s team convinced the FTC to rule against its own complaint, something the FTC had not done in 20 years.Tom’s extensive courtroom experience includes leading numerous jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations in various courts and venues in Alabama, North Carolina, Texas, and the District of Columbia. The geographic breadth of Tom’s experience includes representations of clients in matters pending in Alabama, Arkansas, California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.Tom\'s reputation as a skilled trial and appellate lawyer and litigator has been widely recognized by numerous legal industry publications and organizations. He is distinguished by Chambers USA as a Leading Individual in the area of Commercial Litigation. Best Lawyers® named Tom \"Lawyer of the Year\" in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021. He has also been recognized in Mid-South Super Lawyers since 2011 in the area of Business Litigation, including as a \"Top 50 Alabama Super Lawyer.\" Law360.com named Tom a \"Legal Lion\" in 2014.

Experience

1. Shareholder Board Member

   Maynard Nexsen

   Sep 1991 — Present · US

Education

• Washington & Lee University

  BA, History

  1983 — 1987

• University of Virginia School of Law

  JD, Law

  1988 — 1991

Skills

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Business Litigation
• Toxic Tort
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Product Liability
• Class Actions
• Dispute Resolution
• Arbitration
• Litigation
• Legal Research
• Civil Litigation