A nationally acclaimed trial attorney, Tom is the founder and managing partner of Gibbons Legal, P.C. He has been recognized as one of the Top 10 personal injury attorneys in Pennsylvania by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys and the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, and as one of the top trial attorneys in Pennsylvania by the National Trial Lawyers, American Academy of Trial Attorneys, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Rue Ratings. Avvo has also rated him a Perfect 10: Superb, and named him a Top Personal Injury Attorney and Top Car Accident Attorney.
Many of Tom's cases have been featured by local, national, and international news outlets including Fox News, ABC News, CBS News, CNN, MSNBC, Inside Edition, The Associated Press, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The London Times, The Daily Mail (United Kingdom), and countless law blogs. One such case, a police brutality claim against the City of Philadelphia, resulted in $490,000 settlement on the eve of trial, and the City launching a massive investigation into its use of Emergency Patrol Wagons and the manner in which detainees are transported.
In addition to his trial practice, Tom teaches trial strategy and technology at Temple University School of Law's prestigious LL.M. in Trial Advocacy program, where he earned his Master's Degree in trial law (with honors) in 2014.
Tom began his legal career prosecuting criminals and protecting victims’ rights with the Montgomery County (Pennsylvania) District Attorney’s Office. He thereafter spent several years working for the insurance companies, defending their insureds, who hurt others in car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and work accidents. That work, however, was very unsatisfying, because of which Tom redirected his efforts to helping those hurt by others. His experience working for the insurance companies made him a wiser, more prepared attorney in that he knows the insurance companies' tricks and delay tactics. More importantly, he knows how to deflect and defeat them. This experience has led to some significant victories in some very difficult cases. (See our Notable Victories page.).
Outside the courtroom, Tom is a devoted husband to Maria and dad to Jude, Abby, and Penny. He enjoys coaching little league, hosting magical imaginary tea parties, and otherwise playing with his kids. He's the world's “#1 Dad,” for which honor he received the world's greatest homemade trophy from his 4-year old daughter, Abby. He’s also an avid sports fan, particularly baseball, and still plays competitive men’s slow-pitch softball. As the manager and power hitting first baseman, he helped his team win the Pennsylvania state championship, and finish 9th at the national championship, in 2014.
Tom is also a published author. His first book (Got Hurt? Forget the Silly Lawyer Ads....) is a how-to guide to finding the right lawyer for your case (even if it's not Tom). And his second book (Car Accident? What the #&@! is Limited Tort?) explains the basic concepts of limited tort insurance coverage and how it affects a Pennsylvania car accident claim. Tom is actively writing several other books on the law, and hopes to eventually write a novel.
Tom is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Awards and Recognition
- Top 10 in Pennsylvania (National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys)
- Top 10 in Pennsylvania (American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys)
- Premier 100 Trial Attorneys (American Academy of Trial Attorneys)
- Top Trial Lawyers in America (Million Dollar Advocates Forum)
- Top 100 Trial Attorneys (National Trial Lawyers)
- Top 40 Under 40 (National Trial Lawyers)
- Best Attorneys of America (Rue Ratings)
- Pennsylvania Rising Star (SuperLawyers)
- Top Personal Injury Attorney (Avvo)
- Top Car Accident Attorney (Avvo)
- Perfect 10: Superb (Avvo)
- Clients' Choice (Avvo)
Education
- Master's Degree (LL.M.) in Trial Advocacy: Temple University School of Law
- Juris Doctor: Thomas M. Cooley Law School
- Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy
- Award for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy
- Bachelor of Arts: Bloomsburg University
- Political Science National Honor Society
- Teaching Assistant: Constitutional Law
- Teaching Assistant: Policical Science