Thomas J. Burns

An authority on tort law, environmental law, and lung disease, Tom has tried more than 100 mesothelioma cases to verdict since 2002. In New York, he first-chaired the Meyer and Pride cases at trial, on appeal, and at the retrial, and established the remitter protocol for New York County asbestos litigation cases. In Virginia, Tom first-chaired the Hardick case at trial and on appeal and eliminated non-pecuniary damages for family members in Maritime Law cases in Virginia. In Maryland, he first-chaired the Kaiser, Koepper, and Edwards cases, which are three of only seven defense verdicts in that jurisdiction since 1998.

In addition to his trial practice, Tom represents clients in general business and commercial transactions. He also has product liability experience involving cannabis concentrates, chemical solvents, and bottles.

Tom has tried dozens of asbestos personal injury cases to verdict as first-chair trial attorney since 2001. He currently represents a major industrial equipment maker in a significant asbestos litigation docket. He has obtained trial victories for a manufacturer of gaskets and packing; various manufacturers of pumps and valves; boiler manufacturers; a manufacturer of phenolic molding compounds; a manufacturer of joint compound; and a wholesaler of asbestos fiber.