W. Thompson Comerford | Attorney

The senior partner in the firm, Tom Comerford is a committed, experienced trial attorney who knows what it takes to win your case.  He brings to the firm diligence, skill, and a thorough understanding of many areas of law, including aviation, catastrophic auto accidents, medical malpractice, inadequate security, defective products, and construction accidents.  He has represented hundreds of clients across the state of North Carolina, as well as other states.  The results obtained for his clients are a testament to his dedication and determination.

Tom received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Wake Forest University, graduating with honors.  While a law student, Tom served on the Board of Editors of the Wake Forest Law Review and was a draftsman and research assistant for the compilation of North Carolina's inaugural Pattern Jury Instructions, which have since become a fixture in courtrooms across the state.

Tom is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the North Carolina Bar Association, North Carolina State Bar, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association.  He is a permanent member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference and a master of the Joseph Branch Inn of Court.  He is also actively involved in the American Bar Association-he is a member of the Litigation Section, the Aviation Law Section, and the Forum on Air and Space Law.  He is also a member of the North Carolina Aeronautics Council.  He is a sought after speaker for continuing legal education seminars.

Tom has been heavily involved in aircraft litigation ranging from general aviation crashes to the space shuttle disaster and from major airline crashes to complex litigation insurance issues.  His experience and training as a commercial, instrument-rated multi-engine pilot provides insight to aviation cases that a non-pilot cannot have.  An active pilot, Tom has accumulated more than 6,000 hours of flight time, much of which was compiled during flights to trials, depositions, witness conferences, motions, and continuing education conferences.  His keen interest in flying has made aviation law an integral part of his legal practice.  He is assisted in his practice by a paralegal who is also an airline transport licensed pilot and who also operates his own plane.

Despite Tom's aviation expertise, his North Carolina practice is not restricted to aviation issues.  He also maintains a medical malpractice, product liability, and catastrophic personal injury practice.  His goal is to help people who have been injured by the negligence and carelessness of others, especially ordinary people whose lives have been destroyed by corporations, businesses, or health care providers that place more emphasis on profits than on responsibility and safety.

When not representing clients, Tom enjoys long-distance running, bicycling, boating, fishing, backpacking, hunting, and spending time with his wife, Joyce, and his children and granddaughter.  He is also closely involved with Wake Forest University and Wake Forest Law School, where he recently completed his term as president of the Law Alumni Council and joined the law school's Board of Visitors.  He is consistently involved with major fund-raising efforts of his alma mater.

Licensed in North Carolina, Tom has been admitted to practice, Pro Hac Vice, in Georgia, South Carolina, New Mexico, Virginia, Illinois, Texas, and Florida, as well as the United States Supreme Court.