Thomas F Cavalier, Attorney

Tom joined the firm in 1992, having previously practiced in San Francisco for five years.  He became a member of the firm in 1997.  Tom has broad experience in litigation, including contract, business tort, real estate, equipment lease, securities industry, Indian gaming and constitutional law matters.  He has tried cases in state and federal courts and before the American Arbitration Association and the National Association of Securities Dealers.

Representative Cases

Contained exposure to a fraction of claimed damages in bankruptcy litigation over breach of equipment lease.  In re Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc., 340 B.R. 461 (Bkrtcy., D. Del. 2006).

Won summary judgment and appeal in multi-million dollar breach of contract case.

Built winning case resulting in $12 million NASD arbitration award.

Successfully represented State of Michigan in Michigan Supreme Court appeal upholding federally authorized state-tribal gaming compact against constitutional challenge.  Taxpayers of Michigan Against Casinos v. State of Michigan, 471 Mich. 306; 685 N.W.2d 221 (2004).

Education

B.A., philosophy, with great distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, University of California, Berkeley, 1974

M.A., philosophy, University of Michigan, 1976.

J.D., University of Michigan, 1982; Associate Editor, University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform.

Honors and Awards

Law Clerk, Honorable Richard M. Maher, Michigan Court of Appeals, 1982-1983.

Recipient of San Francisco Lawyers Committee Keta Taylor Colby Award for Distinguished Service to the Disadvantaged, 1991.

Professional Affiliations

Bar admissions: Michigan (since 1982), California (since 1986; currently inactive); United States Supreme Court; Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals; federal courts in Michigan and California.

Member, State Bar of Michigan Litigation Section Council (1999-2005; 2006-present).

Member, State Bar of Michigan Committee on Justice Initiatives and Justice Policy Initiative (2005-present).
 
Civic Organizations

Volunteer Lawyer, ACLU of Michigan.

Representative Publications

Note, Salvaging Proportionate Prison Sentencing: A Reply to Rummel v. Estelle, 15 U.Mich.J.L.Ref. 258, cited in Williams v. State, 559 A.2d 164 (Del. 1988).