R. Thomas "Tom" Warburton

Tom has appeared in state and federal courts across the country, and has tried antitrust, business, construction, civil rights, insurance, mineral rights, negligence, product liability, land use, real property, tax, and wrongful termination cases to verdict or final judgment. He has significant arbitration experience as well as first chair trial experience in both state and federal court, and has been recognized by Alabama Super Lawyers, Benchmark Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, and Birmingham Magazine. He has tried cases and arbitrated representing both those asserting claims as well as the parties defending against them, and has prevailed on behalf of both.

Tom handles cases across the country, and has litigated and arbitrated in dozens of venues from Alabama to Arizona. Tom has also litigated international disputes.

Tom and other members of the firm serve as Regional Counsel for Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, defending product liability cases for the company in multiple states.

While he has litigated and tried cases to successful result for clients in a number of industries, Tom’s practice has concentrated in recent years on cases relating to product design and manufacture (product liability), commercial and business disputes, litigation relating to natural resources (coal, oil and gas, and timber), and real property (landowner use rights, ownership disputes, construction, and property taxation).

By virtue of his experience litigating natural resources disputes, Tom is familiar with coal and natural gas extraction, and the regulatory framework governing these industries. He participates as a member of the Alabama Coal Association on behalf of the firm.

His product liability experience has primarily related to tire and vehicle defect litigation, resulting in his familiarity with the engineering work associated with product design and manufacture, as well as vehicle dynamics and accident reconstruction.

Additionally, he is experienced in the following:

• Trade Secret and Protective Order Issues
• Expert Witness Development and Challenges
• Corporate Witness Preparation, Presentation, and Examination
• Depositions and Witness Interviews and Development
• Management of Regional Portfolios of Cases
• Coordination of Cases with Nationwide Counsel