Determined, Thorough, Tenacious Advocacy

Image

Profile

Tom Adair's practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and intellectual property disputes. Mr. Adair has experience prosecuting and defending breach of contract, fraud, patent infringement, copyright, trademark, theft of trade secret, and class action claims, among others. His experience includes representing some of the world’s largest companies as well as local family start-up businesses in cases ranging from large multi-party cases worth hundreds of millions of dollars to small claims in state and federal court, as well as alternative forums such as arbitration. In addition, Mr. Adair has experience counseling clients about and drafting licensing agreements and a variety of business agreements.

Achievements

Mr. Adair's practice ranges across all aspects of the litigation process from pre-suit investigation through trial and appeal. A few representative matters include:

  • Represent a growing health and wellness company in bet the company litigation involving claims of theft of trade secrets, trademark infringement, and tortious interference.

  • Represent a leading record label against tortious interference claims

  • Represent an energy storage company focused on environmentally friendly energy solutions in a matter involving fraudulent conduct.

  • Represent a leading artist against defamation claims

  • Represented one of the world’s largest media companies in a contract dispute

  • Represented a large hospitality company in trademark litigation

  • Defended a foreign manufacturer against claims of trademark and copyright infringement as well as unfair competition, which included a favorable ruling from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

  • Represented minority partner in breach of partnership agreement action resulting in favorable arbitration award

  • Represented homeowners in construction defect matter. 

  • Represented a leading oil and gas services company through trial in a matter involving breach of contract and fraud allegations.

  • Represented a leading banking services company against claims for breach of contract and fraud leading to a favorable resolution shortly before trial.

  • Represented a large digital advertising distribution company in its suit claiming breach of certain covenants of an employment agreement and theft of trade secrets, which resulted in a large damages award and injunctive relief.

  • Defended an internet company against unjust enrichment and fraudulent transfer claims in federal court, which resulted in an order dismissing all claims.

  • Counseled a software company and prepared licensing agreements.

  • Represented hotel developers and owners against claims for breach of contract and fraud related to hotel sales, financing, and management, which resulted in favorable resolutions.

  • Defended an architectural and design company against copyright infringement, breach of contract, and defamation claims resulting in a favorable resolution at mediation.

  • Defended a major automobile manufacturer in multiple patent infringement suits, which ended with very favorable rulings and resolutions.

Admissions

  • Texas

  • New York

  • The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit 

  • United States Court of Appeal for the Federal Circuit

  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas

  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

  • United States District Court for the Western District of Texas

Education

  • The University of Texas School of Law, with honors

  • Dartmouth College

Awards & Honors

  • Texas Super Lawyers – Rising Stars 2013 and 2015

  • Texas Bar Foundation

Publications

  • Contributing Author, From the Courtroom, to the Boardroom, to the Capitol, "Inside the Minds: Recent Trends in Patent Infringement Litigation," (Aspatore 2011)

  • Co-Author, Texas Chapter of "Business Torts: A Fifty State Guide," 2007 and 2008 Editions; Daller, Editor-in-Chief

Community Involvement

Mr. Adair currently serves on the Plano Community Relations Commission, is a member of the Collin County Bar Association and Plano Chamber of Commerce, and he is a local voting rights leader.  Prior to law school, Mr. Adair was a legislative assistant for a U.S. Representative. He handled transportation, environmental, agricultural, judicial, tax, and economic matters. As part of this work, Mr. Adair was involved in reforms to the nation's transportation infrastructure following 9/11.