Tom FitzGibbon

Firm founder Tom FitzGibbon is a litigator with a wide range of experience across the Firm’s three practice areas and beyond. Tom practices frequently in federal court and he often handles technology-related matters that involve complex electronic discovery issues.

In real estate and construction disputes Tom represents owners, buyers, sellers, brokers, landlords, tenants, developers, architects, contractors and subcontractors in all types of disputes. Tom litigates and advises businesses on a range of environmental matters such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, RCRA, CERCLA, Consumer Product Safety issues, as well as various California environmental laws and in particular Proposition 65. He also advises and assists business clients in a range of industries with due diligence for corporate transactions and corporate or operational compliance activity.

The financial services, insurance and complex litigation matters Tom handles span a wide range of industries and are litigated all over California and beyond. Particular areas of focus include life insurance and life settlement disputes, property and casualty insurance coverage disputes, claims against brokers and professionals, corporate control and ownership disputes, defense of securities law claims, including in FINRA arbitrations as well as executive employment and trade secret disputes. Tom’s is very familiar with the effective use of prejudgment remedies like injunctions and attachments to speed the resolution of complex disputes.

Prior to founding Apex Law, Tom was a partner at two firms: the international law firm of Bryan Cave LLP in its Santa Monica, California office and at the litigation boutique of Pfeiffer FitzGibbon & Ziontz LLP.

Tom received his B.A. degree with a double major in Chemistry and Classics from Williams College in 1987, and taught high school science and math for three years at St. Louis Country Day School before attending Washington University School of Law where he was the Managing Editor of the law review and earned his J.D. in 1993. He is licensed to practice before all the federal and state courts in the State of California, and has litigated cases in every federal district in California and has successfully argued appeals before the Ninth Circuit. Mr. FitzGibbon has handled cases in at least 18 counties in California and appeals and writs before the First, Second and Fourth Appellate District Courts of Appeal.

In his free time, he spends as much time as possible with his wife Dara and his twin daughters Clare and Molly, as well as his dog. Mr. FitzGibbon is also very active in Williams College Alumni Activities and serves on the Executive Committee for the Society of Alumni, as a class agent and regionally in Los Angeles. Over the years, Mr. FitzGibbon has also done a significant amount of pro bono work both for indigent individuals and for bicycle-related organizations, including the San Diego Velodrome Association, the Encino Velodrome and Velo Club LaGrange as well as assisting individuals involved in anti-doping matters relating to cycling. Tom is very active in outdoor activities of all types including biking, running, hiking, skiing and golf. When time permits, he races his bicycle in road races and criteriums as a Masters racer and rides his mountain bike on the nearby mountain trails. At the end of the day, it is always nice to enjoy a glass of wine, preferably from a retail wine client!