Thomas Hanson
Partner – Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Description of field of expertise
Tom Hanson is a corporate and commercial litigation partner in the Wilmington, Delaware office. With more than two decades of advocacy and trial experience, Tom represents large and mid-sized companies in the resolution of complex business disputes. Tom pursues and defends claims involving breaches of fiduciary duty, corporate governance, breach of contract, limited liability company agreements, trade secret protection and restrictive covenants.
Tom frequently appears before the Delaware Court of Chancery, the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, and the Complex Commercial Litigation Division of the Delaware Superior Court. He has served as lead trial counsel in a number of sophisticated commercial litigation cases and recently secured a defense jury verdict in a breach of contract action involving a claim for $15 million in damages.
In addition, Tom is skilled in bringing and defending statutory corporate actions, including disputes regarding the appropriate composition of corporate boards and requests for books and records and nonpublic company information from corporations and limited liability companies. In a recent action, Tom obtained a ruling that his client was entitled to all of the requested books and records, plus attorneys’ fees.
Dedicated to serving as a true legal strategist, fact-finder and effective counselor, Tom seeks to prove time and again that he is able to formulate the right argument that can make a difference in both resolving the dispute at hand and conserving his client’s time and resources. Tom understands the value of a favorable settlement, especially when swift resolution is imperative to his client’s objectives. Particularly experienced with the discovery phase, Tom is valued for his litigation prowess, deep understanding of corporate and commercial law, intellectual agility, and willingness to take difficult cases to trial.
What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?
My main advice to new attorneys is to have confidence in your abilities and to persevere in the face of adversity. Practicing at a law firm is challenging and demanding, particularly when joining straight from law school. It is a fast-paced environment that requires a variety of different skills and can be difficult to navigate without a mentor who is invested in your success. It takes confidence in the face of adversity, and the ability to bounce back and learn from mistakes, to succeed. Although it may not seem like it, after gaining two to three years of experience, you will be in a position to thrive. The key is not to give up or think you cannot make it. You studied hard and sacrificed to reach this point in your career and need to draw from your inner strength to overcome the obstacles to your success.
Final thoughts…
I find it extremely important to network and make connections with lawyers both in the city where I practice and across the country. Advancing from an accomplished practitioner to a successful partner requires a book of business. Networking not only creates lifelong friends, but it also helps to develop your client base.