Thomas A Gorman

Thomas A Gorman

4.8
Rating: 8.6

Licensed for 40 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Sedona, AZ
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Appeals, DUI & DWI

300 Apache Trail, Sedona, AZ

About Thomas

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

Thomas A. Gorman has over 26 years experience defending citizens in municipal, state and federal courts at the trial and appellate level. Mr. Gorman is certified by the State Bar of Arizona as a Criminal Law Specialist and is recognized in United States District Court as Learned counsel. Since 1985 Mr. Gorman has secured not guilty verdicts or outright dismissals for clients charged with DUI, money laundering, 1st Degree Murder, capital murder, sexual assault, sale of marijuana, etc.

41 years

50%
Appeals 30%

Mr. Gorman specializes in appeals, Rule 32s and writs of habeas corpus.Mr. Gorman has successfully argued cases to the Arizona Supreme Court and/or the Arizona Court of Appeals resulting in murder convictions being reversed or death sentences of condemned inmates being reversed. Mr. Gorman also litigates Writs of Habeas Corpus in United States District Court for the District of Arizona and before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. See Representative Case section of Web page Lawyergorman.com

41 years

30%
DUI and DWI 20%

Mr. Gorman has extensive experience in handling DUI cases. Mr. Gorman prosecuted DUI's in 1983 while he was with the Winnebago State's Attorney's office in Illinois and has represented 100s of DUI clients since that time as a defense attorney in the past 26 years. Mr. Gorman is Certified as a Criminal Law Specialist by the State Bar of Arizona.

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in California for 28 years

State: California

Acquired: 1998

Not Eligible to Practice Law (Not Entitled)

No misconduct found

Licensed in Arizona for 38 years

State: Arizona

Acquired: 1987

Resigned

No misconduct found

Licensed in Wisconsin for 40 years

State: Wisconsin

Acquired: 1985

Administrative Suspension

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Thomas A Gorman

300 Apache Trail, Sedona, AZ, 86336

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Thomas A Gorman's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

23 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 11 reviews | Recommendation

Posted by Tobey | April 03, 2019 | Appeals

THE WORST BEDSIDE MANNER!!

My mom had talk to Thomas about doing an appeal with my court case. When mom got off the phone with him and wasn't sure about him. She said he kept saying $5000 dollars and that he sounded like he might be a good appellate attorney, but she wasn't sure. We have been working hard to scrape up the mone...y and my mom wanted me to call and speak with Thomas Gorman before we just handed him $5000 dollars. I called Thomas at 8:30 am on a Wednesday morning and it seemed as though he was just waking up. I explained who I was and if we could get a consultation. His response was, "I already talked to you mom and it will be $5000". I explained to him that I was new at this and ask if we had to turn over $5000 dollars just to get an opinion as to if the outcome could be positive or negative. His response with an elevated voice was, "You're not listening to me!" He must have raised his voice 5 times at me during the phone call and kept saying I was interrupting him. It was pretty obvious he wanted to control the phone call. So I remained quiet until the end of the phone call. Then he said the words, "Ok, you can talk now." So I began to ask my question in a calm voice and before I could finish my sentence he elevated his voice even higher and I can't even remember what he said because I was so shocked. After his what seemed to me to be screaming he yelled, "I'm not going to take your case!" and hung up the phone. I looked at my phone and the call was 6 minutes long and this old man went flying off the handle. If there was any sentence I was able to get out, it was the fact that I wanted to try and get some confidence before I handed over $5000 dollars. His response was read my reviews! This guy was very unprofessional and self absorbed. I don't think I have had anyone raise their voice to me like that in a while. And being an assault victim myself it was very unnerving. This all happened in 6 minutes which is pretty insane to me that someone could go that crazy in just a couple of minutes. Glad I avoided this guy.

Posted by Brett | July 13, 2015 | Criminal Defense

Excellent Experience

I was caught by Arizona Police with what you would call "a buffet" of illegal substances. My girlfriend and I were facing a frightening amount of felonies and our future was in tremendous jeopardy. So I did a lot of research before calling Tom. He lived up to his reputation. Tom negotiated dow...n a series of charges that would have ruined our lives, into two charges that turned into a misdemeanor after 3 years on probation. I've met many who were caught with less, but served prison time. Do your friends, family and future loved ones a favor and hire Thomas Gorman.

Posted by anonymous | June 10, 2015 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Fantastic!

Mr. Gorman did an excellent job defending me, and several years later, free of charge, helped me with some advice and an important letter to a graduate admissions board. Thank you Mr. Gorman and I hope others find you and take advantage of your expertise in the legal profession!

Posted by Katie | March 18, 2015 | Criminal Defense

Glass half full

Tom Gorman was an amazing lawyer to work with. He made a very excruciating stressful and costly experience the most positive and painless experience possible . If you have ever had a case against your or a loved one, or if it is your first time you, learn it is not a nice expierience by any means. It... is extremely stressful on ones self and those around them. My fiancé was looking at 22 years in prison for a weed charge, he was profiled and was made to jump through hoops to fight for a fair,speedy trial, and sentencing. The officers whom arrested him along with the state went to extremes to try to charge and take away his freedom with what seem to be no regard for the fact they were affecting a human beings life and his loved ones including a son they were going to keep from a father for his whole childhood. The sentencing of 22 years for a non violent crime seemed unimaginable. As we researched into our situation we found that extreme sentencings and warrantless arrest seems to be the case in many cases specially in the state of Arizona. We live in California and had to travel to and from Arizona at great expense for over a year. Having an Attourney whom you can trust, respect and communicate with can make all the difference . Tom was all the above and more, he was very capable of breaking down what was going on with our case so we could understand the judges rulings, the prosecuters intent, and all the documents in between. Which to most if your not an educated lawyer is very difficult to understand. He was kind and honest, did not sugar coat things and very straight to the point. He did not waste our time or his. I would recommend his as a lawyer and trust him to be my lawyer any day. We are very greatfull for all of his hard work. He is a miracle worker if you need one go with Tom. He will do everything possibly to provide you with the best representation, he is very dedicated to his clients and genuinely cares about his clients. He return calls and e-mails which we found not many do. Again we cannot be grateful enough for the experience and outcome we had with Tom.

Posted by Yvette | March 18, 2015 | Criminal Defense

Outstanding Advocate!

Mr. Gorman did an outstanding job defending my brother! Not only did Mr. Gorman get my brother's criminal case dismissed, he was very thorough in reviewing the details of the case and protecting my brother's rights under the 4th Amendment. My husband is also a criminal defense attorney and he was ver...y impressed by Mr. Gorman's creative and effective approach!

See All Client Reviews

Thomas A Gorman's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Thomas
Nicholas Simon Hentoff headshot
Nicholas Hentoff

Unknown lawyer | Dec 30

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I've known Thomas Gorman in a personal and professional capacity for over twenty years. He served as one of my mentors when I first entered private law practice and his advice was always golden. I have worked with Tom on a number of criminal defense cases and have seen him achieve results that other, less talented lawyers, would have considered impossible. In a complex fraud case in which Tom and I represented co-defendants, Tom's Motion to Reconsider Conditions of Release resulted in the trial court reducing a million dollar bail bond to an own recognizance release. Tom employs a logical, workmanlike approach in his criminal defense practice. He achieves remarkable results by working harder and smarter than his opponents.. His pre-trial motion practice, pre-trial case preparation and trial advocacy skills are well above average. He also bears a remarkable physical resemblance to John Dillinger."

Paul E Knost headshot
Paul Knost

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse lawyer Tom Gorman, Esq. I am extremely impressed by his level of expertise on complex legal issues in Arizona. His clients are very fortunate to have him on their side."

Brad Bransky headshot
Brad Bransky

Criminal defense lawyer | May 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I've known Tom Gorman for over twenty years. He is a top notch criminal defense attorney. His appellate work over the recent years is especially impressive."

Monique Branscomb Wilhite headshot
Monique Wilhite

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Tom Gorman is brilliant when it comes to defense strategy and he is fluent in the law. He is tenacious and represents his clients with great passion. He is a lawyer's lawyer."

Patricia A. Gitre headshot
Patricia Gitre

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 24

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have worked with Tom for over 15 years on many difficult criminal cases. We have been very successful with our defense strategies and outcome. Tom is a experienced trial and appellate attorney - not many attorneys are able to claim both. There are only a few attorneys that I would allow to defend me in a criminal action - Tom is one of them."

William Foreman headshot
William Foreman

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Tom Gorman is an experienced, talented and aggressive lawyer who tackles serious criminal cases with an efficient, direct approach. Tom consistently achieves a superior result for those clients lucky enough to obtain his legal services."

David Ira Goldberg headshot
David Goldberg

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Tom for well over 20 years now as a fellow criminal defense lawyer.We have worked together on numerous major felony matters including the sucessful defense of several clients charged or convicted of capital murder. I wholeheartedly recommend Tom to anyone charged with serious criminal matter. I am confident he will provide you with prompt, aggessive and thorough representation."

M Richard Remender headshot
M Remender

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Tom has won cases I thought were losers. I have such confidence in his abilities I refer my clients to him and vouch for his skills."

Robert L Baumann headshot
Robert Baumann

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael A. Taylor headshot
Michael Taylor

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 13

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael S. Rothman headshot
Michael Rothman

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 13

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Roger Scott Jr. headshot
Roger Scott

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this NORML Legal Committee lawyer."

Catherine Ann Medling headshot
Catherine Medling

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this fellow NORML lawyer."

Scott Nathaniel Freeman headshot
Scott Freeman

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 13

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Tammy Marie Riggs headshot
Tammy Riggs

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 13

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Eric Drew Shevin headshot
Eric Shevin

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 13

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Robert Laney Hambrick headshot
Robert Hambrick

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 12

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Nicholas Simon Hentoff headshot
Nicholas Hentoff

Criminal defense lawyer

Monique Branscomb Wilhite headshot
Monique Wilhite

Foreclosure lawyer

David Ira Goldberg headshot
David Goldberg

Criminal defense lawyer

M Richard Remender headshot
M Remender

Medical malpractice lawyer

Patricia A. Gitre headshot
Patricia Gitre

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.6 (Excellent)

Honors

2006

Scholarship recipient Clarence Darrow Defense College, Administrative Office of the US Courts

2005

Recognized as Learned Counsel under 18 U.S.C. 3599, United States District Court

1990

Certified Specialist - Criminal Law, Board of Legal Specialization State Bar of Arizona

1987

Scholarship to NACDL Trial Practice College, NACDL

Work Experience

1984 - 1985

Trial Attorney Intern, Wisconsin State Public Defenders

1983 - 1983

Prosecutor Intern, Winnebago States Attorneys Office

1983 - 1986

Associate Attorney, Calvey, Mitchell & Baxter

Associations

1987 - Present

State Bar of Arizona

Member

1985 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

NACDL Member

Bar of the United States Supreme Court

Admitted to Practice

9th Circuit Court of Appeals San Francisco,CA

Admitted to Practice

United States District Court for the District of Arizona

Admitted to Practice

Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Member

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

The Wrongly Accused Landlord. State v. Jon M. Spera CR2010-2597 Sedona Municipal Court

Found Not Guilty at Trial.

Zen And The Right To Be Left Alone. State v. Alyssa Scheuneman CR2010-069 Graham County Arizona

Found Not Guilty at Trial.

Incompetent Counsel. Roger M. Scott v. Charles L. Ryan et al CV-97-1554-Phx-PGR United States District Court Phoenix, Arizona

Case is pending on appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals San Francisco, CA.

Off Death Row. State v. Gary W. Snelling 236 P.3d 409 Arizona Supreme Court Phoenix,AZ

Sentence of death reversed by Arizona Supreme Court

Off Death Row. State v. Kyle D. Sharp CR95000271 Bisbee, AZ Cochise County Superior Court

Sentence of death reversed by The Honorable Wallace R. Hoggatt Cochise County Superior Court

State v. Gaylord CR2008-1696 Domestic Violence, Flagstaff, AZ

All charges dismissed.

Miranda Violation. State v. Marco Antonio Carrasco‑Calderon, 1 CA‑CR 07‑1082.Arizona Court of Appeals Div. One. Phoenix,AZ

Statements obtained in violation of clients Miranda rights suppressed.

Marijuana Cultivation — The Right To Be Left Alone. Holbrook,AZ

Marijuana Charges Dismissed

The Right To Possess Fire Arms. State v. Jose Gonzalez, CR2005-2120. Flagstaff, AZ

Not Guilty of all Charges

The Right To Bear Arms. State v. Ramos, CR2005-2152. Flagstaff, AZ

Found Not Guilty at trial of fire arms charges.

1st Degree Murder Conviction Reversed. State v. David W. Kiehle CR99-091679 Maricopa County Superior Court

1st Degree Murder conviction reversed in Rule 32 proceeding. Kiehle granted re-trial

Right To Counsel, San Francisco, CA 9th Circuit. Mikal Omar Rasul v. Janet Napolitano; Terry L. Stewart, Director ADOC

Petition for Issuance of Writ of Habeas Corpus Granted

Off Death Row. State v. Cropper, 206 Ariz. 153 (2003) Arizona Supreme Court

Death sentenced reversed by the Arizona Supreme Court

1st Degree Murder Conviction Reversed. State v. Hall, 204 Ariz. 442 (2003) Arizona Supreme Court

1st Degree Murder conviction reversed by Arizona Supreme Court Hall granted retrial.

The Innocent Immigrant - State v. Arturo Sesma, CR 1996‑009337. Phoenix, AZ

1st Degree Murder charges (2) dismissed with prejudice

Entrapment - State v. Lawrence S. Heninger, CR 1992‑090608.

All charges dismissed.

The Dead Man Walking Case. State v. Nic Sizemore State v. Nicholas Sizemore, CR 2001‑0338.

Client saved from death sentence

Not Guilty 1st Degree Murder. State v. Roger Raymond Gonzales, CR 1991‑91184 Maricopa County Superior Court, Phoenix,AZ .

Found Not Guilty at Trial of 1st Degree Murder

The Bail Rape Case. State v. Edward Steven Maxwell, CR1990‑003331.

Not Guilty of All Sexual Assault Charges

The Carlucci Family Secret. State v. Lou Lovett, CR 1989‑000951.

Not Guilty of all Charges

The Battered Women Defense. State v. Norma L.CR 1988‑000362‑B.

All charges dismissed.

The Drug Addict Accuser Case. State v. Louis Golden.

Not Guilty of 18 Counts of Child Molest

Entrapment Results in Not Guilty Verdict. State v. Buchan CR87-7933-34 Sale of Marijuana

Client Entrapped Jury Verdict of Not Guilty

See More Legal Cases

Education

1985

Marquette University Law School

Juris Doctoris

1981

Marquette University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2010

Capital Direct Appeals & Post Conviction Conference

Representation of Petitioner at Rule 32 Proceeding

Publications

2010

Arizona Supreme Court State v. Gary W. Snelling, __ Ariz. __, 236 P.3d 409. Mr. Gorman was attorney of record.

2003

Arizona Supreme Court State v. Henry Hall, 204 Ariz. 442 (2003) Mr. Gorman was attorney of record

2003

Arizona Supreme Court State v Cropper, 205 Ariz. 181 (2003). Mr. Gorman attorney of record

2003

Arizona Supreme Court State v Cropper, 206 Ariz. 153 (2003). Mr. Gorman attorney of record

2001

Arizona Court of Appeals Div One State v. Derello, 199 Ariz. 435 (App. 2001) Mr. Gorman was attorney of record.

1999

9th Circuit Court of Appeals Poland v. Stewart 169 Fd 3d 573) Mr. Gorman attorney of record.

1999

9th Circuit Court of Appeals Poland v. Stewart 151 Fd 3d 1014 Mr. Gorman attorney of record.

1997

9th Circuit Court of Appeals United States v. Juvenile Male, 118 F.3d 1344 Mr. Gorman was attorney of record

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution