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Thomas H Howlett

Ethics and professional responsibility Attorney at Bloomfield Hills, MI

4.9   28 reviews

also known as Thomas Howlett, Tom Howlett

Virtual consultation available
Virtual consultation available
  • State Years
    Michigan - MI 25 years
    Dist. of Columbia - DC 31 years
    Texas - TX 33 years
  • Licensed for 25 years
    State MI
    Acquired 1997
    Status
    Active in Good Standing No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 31 years
    State DC
    Acquired 1992
    Status
    Good Standing No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 33 years
    State TX
    Acquired 1990
    Status
    Inactive No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Thomas

Learn Thomas’s areas of practice.

WE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY REPRESENT PEOPLE HARMED BY THE MISCONDUCT OF OTHERS.

Tom Howlett vigorously pursues cases for people and families harmed by others' misconduct, undertaking both individual lawsuits and class actions.  His primary areas of focus are professional negligence (medical malpractice and legal malpractice), catastrophic injury, civil rights (wrongful convictions), and consumer class actions.

 

Tom also works hard to serve the profession and public.  Currently, he serves as immediate past president of the Oakland County Bar Association, Michigan's largest voluntary bar association. in 2016, he was recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of 30 Leaders in the Law in the State of Michigan. 

 

Tom has practiced law in Washington, D.C., Michigan and in state and federal courts across the country since 1990. He joined The Googasian Firm, P.C., in 1998, and he serves as our firm's chief operating officer. Tom graduated from Harvard College (A.B. cum laude, 1984) and University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 1990). Prior to law school, he was a reporter for The Dallas Morning News.

 

From 1990 to 1991, Tom served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Douglas W. Hillman, then-Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. From 1995 to 1997, Tom and his family lived in the Republic of Palau in the western Pacific, where Tom served as Assistant Attorney General and Counsel to the President for that new island nation. From 2000 to 2005, Tom served as chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Law and the Media Committee. Since 2005, he has served as a board member of the Oakland County Bar Association, where he currently serves as president and previously  chaired the membership committee. In 2007 and again in 2013, he received the OCBA’s Distinguished Service Award.

 

In every year since 2006, Tom has been recognized as one of Michigan’s Super Lawyers. He also has received the highest, “AV” peer review rating from LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell. Tom was recently profiled in Motion magazine.

 

He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the District of Columbia Bar (inactive) and the State Bar of Texas (inactive), as well as the American Bar Association, the American Association of Justice and the Michigan Association of Justice.

Awards

Client's Choice 2021
Client's Choice
2021

Contact Thomas

The Googasian Firm, P.C.

Reviews

4.9 / 5.0
  28 customer reviews
5 Star
 
96%
4 Star
 
0%
3 Star
 
0%
2 Star
 
0%
1 Star
 
4%
Client's Choice 2021
Client's Choice
Client's Choice is an Avvo award granted to attorneys with a significant number of client reviews over 4 stars in a given year.
Posted by Alan | June 14, 2014
Couldn't Ask For A Better Attorney
Can't say enough about Tom. The first thing that comes to mind is GRATITUDE. Tom was first and foremost just a kind human being, supporting us through the web of confusion related to my son's wrongful death suit. I always felt my wife and I were genuinely cared about, and that the legal matters were being handled by an extremely competent and effective person., While I've heard horror stories of lawyers not communicating with clients, not so with Tom. Communication was excellent and his great written and verbal skills made the complex process crystal clear. You CANNOT go wrong with Tom on your side and he secured us a settlement well beyond anything I anticipated.
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Posted by anonymous | August 31, 2012
The Best!
Tom Howlett is the best attorney that you could ever have in your corner! He not only is thorough and fair, but a "bull dog" when needed. He'll fight hard for you. Tom worked extremely hard on my case, and I was very impressed by his professionalism and empathy. When I retained him as my attorney; emotionally I wasn't in a good place. When we first met, I was explaining to Tom (through my tears) about my situation. I remember thinking, at that moment, he's speaking to me with such a kind and gentle voice. He allowed me time to cry and I never felt rushed to finish my conversation. Tom was very thorough in explaining how he would handle my case. He kept me posted, explained any delays or changes, and he made sure that I completely understood what would take place every step of the way. He is compassonite, professional, thorough, and truly a wonderful attorney. I highly recommend Tom Howlett!!
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Posted by ronald | September 9, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
legal malpractice
did an excellent job of keeping me informed thru the process made sure I had the info I needed to make informed decisions
Posted by Jacqueline | July 18, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent lawyer
I would highly recommend Thomas Howlett. He was very knowledgeable about the law and the court system he took his time to explain every detail to me at every point he kept me informed.
Posted by Kathy | February 13, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Injury Occurred that Tom Howlett handled for me
Tom Howlett was consulted in April due to an injury I occurred at a retail store due to their negligence. He did an excellent job at handling all my questions and concerns. I hired him immediately and he took care of all my correspondence concerning this incident with both my insurance and the 3rd party. I was very happy and pleased with his negotiations in my final settlement. I would highly recommend Tom Howlett. He went above and beyond for me. Thank you Tom.
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Posted by Denise | January 7, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent Communicator
During an unfortunate time our family had to reach out for legal services due to a wrongful death case on our mother's behalf. Mr. Howlett was able to hear our concerns, provide sound reasoning for his expectations of the case and followed through with every promise. His empathetic approach to the situation was appreciated, as well as his timely communication. It was evident by his quick responses that he was familiar with the case enough that he could respond to concerns/questions within a few moments. His integrity and forthrightness was refreshing. I would highly recommend his firm.
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Posted by Virginia R. Bessinger | April 29, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Thomas H. HOWLETT
He was the type of man that I had hoped to solve my issues in a positive way. Thomas was the kind of person I would rather have represented me.
Posted by Chris | September 20, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent Attorney
I had a pleasure working with Tom Howlett, who came highly recommended by a good friend. Tom was very attentive and thorough from the very beginning. Always quick to respond to any questions. He's an experienced attorney and will do his absolute best to maximize the outcome. I highly recommend him.
Posted by Kristen | April 30, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Simply amazing
Tom is amazing. He is always kind and courteous and works with your schedule. He helped us navigate through an extremely tough time after losing our mom and dad. He is quick to answer any questions and is always available for any concerns that may arise. He never pushed us to do anything we didn’t feel comfortable with nor did he waste our time. He is extremely thorough with his investigation and I have no doubt he and his staff did everything they could to help us recover any assets available. I hope we never need his services again but if we do, he would be the only person I’d trust to handle my situation.
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Posted by Jaymes | February 13, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Tom was the perfect attorney for our family during an very difficult time.
The Googasian Firm, specifically Tom Howlett, provided outstanding counsel and advice after a tragedy our family suffered. He was sensitive, responsive and extremely professional. The time he took to get to know us, our friends and extended family in order to put together a clear picture of the impact of our case was amazing. He was the perfect attorney for our family during an very difficult time.
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Posted by Jane | February 10, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Medical malpractice suit
Mr. Howlett was recommended to me through a friend of my son-in-law. I knew very little about the laws of malpractice, however, from the first Consultation I knew i picked the right attorney.He listened then explained every step we would need to take. If I had questions, and I had many, I would email Mr. Howlett and he would get back to me immediately. We also set up conference calls when needed. Mr. Howlett was always professional, kind understanding and patient. After a lot of work and negotiating, a very fair settlement was made In my favor. If you ever need an attorney because a medical error was made in your care, I recommend Mr. Thomas Howlett highly
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Posted by anonymous | January 29, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Forever Grateful
I contacted Mr. Howlett regarding a malpractice case that had been going for seven years without success. Within a very short time, Tom completed all proper paperwork necessary to close the case. From the beginning to the very end Mr. Howlett had the answers to every question I had. Thomas Howlett went above and beyond for me and my case & I know he will for everyone here after.
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Posted by Debora... | August 15, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
E.X.C.E.L.L.E.N.T !!!
I can't even begin to find the words to thank you for the excellent service and guidance you gave me. You were very efficient, professional and personable, which meant a lot to me! You took the time to explain everything to me so that I could understand and make my own decision. I feel you went above and beyond in my case. I highly recommend Mr. Howlett to anyone looking for a lawyer you can "trust"! This guy is not just a 9-5 attorney. Thank you again Tom for everything.
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Posted by Micki | April 24, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Pleasu4e to get to know him
Tom represented me in an automobile accident. He was easy to understand and kind. He never pressured me in anyway, just presented the facts honestly. I would suggest his services to anyone in need of an honest attorney to represent them. He isn’t a gold digger out to get the innocent. He is totally for real and again I say honest. He was very much an asset in my situation. Thanks to you Tom
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Posted by anonymous | July 1, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great Attorney/ Excellent Service
Thomas H Howlett is a partner at the Googasian Law Firm in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He is one of the best lawyers I have ever had a pleasure of meeting. I contacted a few law offices before...Finally, I chose Thomas Howlett . The way he and his staff greeted my husband and myself made me feel like we were very important clients and took consideration for any conditions we had at the time. I am very grateful to Thomas Howlett for his excellent work and demonstrating professionalism. Our case was settled in no time... excellent job!
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Posted by anonymous | January 22, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Former client
Wonderful. Kept me informed all the way through. Very professional. The entire staff.
Posted by Jeremy | November 15, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
The Best
Thomas H Howlett is an excellent attorney. My family hired Thomas during the most devastating and vulnerable period of our lives. Thomas was kind, compassionate and empathetic to our situation. He kept us informed and was very accessible. Our case was always moving forward and was resolved quickly. I would recommend him to my closest family and friends without hesitation. I feel extremely fortunate to have found such an outstanding attorney and person to represent my family.
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Posted by anonymous | December 28, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great Attorney You Can Never Go Wrong With!!!
First, I must say that I am so very grateful and thankful that my path crossed with Tom and he represented me in a Legal Malpractice case. My former attorney didn't do anything for my husband's wrongful death case for two years and eventually failed to take actions which resulted in Statute of Limitations expire. My former attorney was very unprofessional and did not even respond to my e-mails and phone calls, and this situation caused a tremendous amount of stress to me while grieving the loss of my husband. After my former attorney failed to meet the time frame to take actions in Statue of Limitations, I decided to seek for another attorney who can pursue the legal malpractice case against my former attorney and I started searching for an attorney who can represent my case. I was very lucky to be able to find Tom! Because he returned my call right away, set up an initial meeting to understand my situations/case, and offered to represent me in this legal malpractice case. Tom is very knowledgeable and professional. He was always prepared for my case, took strategic approaches when negotiating with my former attorney's insurance company, always accessible and responded to my e-mails and calls right away or within a day for the longest. He was also very patient when explaining about each phase of processes for my case. He explained in a way that I could easily understand, instead of using difficult legal terms. Tom was also very compassionate and supportive. Without Tom's continuous efforts and remarkable skills as a great attorney, I wouldn't have been able to reach a settlement with my former attorney's insurance company and win a recovery. I was finally able to come to terms, put this behind, and open a new chapter in my life. Another very important thing that I would like to say is that not only he is an absolutely great attorney, but he is also a wonderful person as a human being! He is very caring, compassionate, and simply just a great person to get to know and communicate with. I would strongly recommend to anyone who needs a great attorney who truly cares for you and your case. Tom helps people, who feel completely lost and are trying to find a light at the end of the tunnel in their lives, and provide valuable guidance. I know he did for me and made a unforgettable difference in my life. Thank you Tom!!
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Posted by anonymous | April 11, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Mr. Howlett did an Exceptional Job
Mr. Howlett went above and beyond for my sister and I's case. He met with us regularly, went over in detail as to what to expect, and then fulfilled our expectations. He even has continued to advise us in additional matters. He truly made a very difficult case as easy for us as possible.
Posted by Jan | March 2, 2017
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
An Attorney that Takes Time!
I consulted with Mr. Howlett and found I had questions about a month later. He was good enough to follow up with further information that put me on the track that I needed to be on. Unfortunately, his firm wasn't large enough to take my case but he did put me in a direction where I begin my search. I so appreciate his follow through with me even though I was not his client! Thank You!!!
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Cost

Rates
  • Contingency 33%-33%

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Partner
  • The Googasian Firm
  • 1998 - Present
  • Associate
  • Levine Sullivan & Koch
  • 1997 - 1997
  • Assistant Attorney General & Counselor to President
  • Republic Of Palau
  • 1995 - 1997
  • Associate
  • Ross, Dixon & Masback
  • 1991 - 1995
  • Judicial Law Clerk
  • The Hon. Douglas W. Hillman, chief judge, U.S. District Court for Western District of Michigan
  • 1990 - 1991
  • Post-Graduate Intern
  • Los Angeles Times
  • 1984 - 1984
  • Reporter
  • The Dallas Morning News
  • 1984 - 1987
View all work experience

Education

  • University of Michigan Law School
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1990
  • Harvard College
  • A.B.
  • 1984

Legal Cases

  • Bobbitt v. Academy of Court Reporting
  • Settlement

Associations

  • State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners
  • Board Member
  • 2018 - Present
  • Litigation Counsel of America
  • Fellow
  • 2013 - Present
  • Michigan Association for Justice
  • Member
  • 1998 - Present
  • American Association for Justice
  • Member
  • 1998 - Present
  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Member
  • 1997 - Present
  • Oakland County Bar Association
  • President
  • 2014 - 2015
  • Oakland County Bar Association
  • President-Elect
  • 2013 - 2014
  • Oakland County Bar Association
  • Vice President
  • 2012 - 2013
  • Oakland County Bar Association
  • Treasurer
  • 2011 - 2012
  • State Bar of Michigan, Law and the Media Committee
  • Chair
  • 2011 - 2014
  • Oakland County Bar Association
  • Secretary
  • 2010 - 2011
  • Oakland County Bar Association
  • Director
  • 2005 - 2015
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Distinguished Service Award
  • Oakland County Bar Association
  • 2013
  • Distinguished Service Award
  • Oakland County Bar Association
  • 2009

Publications

  • American Association for Justice (AAJ)
  • Use of "Branding" and Other Marketing Efforts in Personal Injury Litigation: Two Case Studies
  • 2001

Speaking Engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (2)
Given (2)
Endorse Thomas
Personal injury Attorney | Mar 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Tom is truly among the best attorneys in any field anywhere in the country. He is hard working, exceptionally well prepared, and dedicated to outstanding results for his clients. I have had the pleasure of working with him on a number of cases involving clients in common and have seen first hand how hard he works to achieve the best possible results for his clients. His considerable skills are only exceeded by the fact that he is a true gentleman and a complete professional to deal with. He is the kind of attorney other lawyers emulate and is the one you want by your side when the chips are down."
Litigation Attorney | Jan 13
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"I endorse this lawyer wholeheartedly. Tom Howlett is a truly outstanding attorney; in fact, one of the best in the state. He is intellectually brilliant, well-spoken, personable and professional. He aggressively represents his client's interests and is well respected by the courts."
Criminal defense
Commercial real estate
Bloomfield Hills Ethics and professional responsibility Lawyer Thomas H Howlett
Thomas H Howlett
Ethics and professional responsibility Attorney
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Licensed for 33 years
Virtual consultation available