top of page
Thomas Benedict
Partner

EDUCATION

University of Michigan Law School, J.D.

(Semi-Finalist, Henry M. Campbell

Moot Court Competition)

Michigan Ross School of Business, B.B.A. 

(With Distinction)

Northwestern Michigan College, A.S. 

(With Honors)

PRACTICE AREAS

Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death, Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices, Insurance Bad Faith Litigation, Class Actions, Products Liability, Premises Liability, Aviation, Mass Tort Litigation, Drug and Medical Device Litigation, Financial Services Litigation, Asbestos Litigation (ACP and Respiratory Protection), Appeals.

Thom Benedict, Thomas Benedict

Thom is a trial lawyer, who handles commercial and personal injury cases, as well as complex and multi-state litigation.  Over his 35-year career, he has obtained jury verdicts in favor of both plaintiffs and defendants, in cases as diverse as alleged breach of contract by a non-profit corporation to medical malpractice by a cardiologist.   

 

Thom has been repeatedly retained by national law firms and lawyers from New York, Washington DC, Chicago and Los Angeles in complex and high-profile cases, to help them navigate Hawaii's courts as their co-counsel for their valued clients.  After seeing Thom's persuasive talents in mock trials with Hawaii jurors, Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies have entrusted Thom to be their trial counsel in high-stakes Hawaii cases.  In one parens patriae case brought by the State of Hawaii against over 30 pharmaceutical manufacturers, he was retained - back to back - by three different defendants to be their trial counsel, and ultimately, went to trial for a defendant facing a multi-billion dollar exposure.

 

Thom argued his first case before the Hawaii Supreme Court less than two years after passing the bar, and has since argued cases to Hawaii's Intermediate Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Through his appellate work, Thom created new Hawaii case law, which is regularly cited in personal injury litigation today.

Legal Community

Defense Research Institute, Hawaii State Representative (2014-2017)

Federal Bar Association - Hawaii Chapter

Hawaii Community

Malama Mānoa: Board and Second Vice President

Hawaii Public Radio: Community Advisory Board ('19-'21) and Chair ('21-'22)

Recognition

Best Lawyers (2024): Commercial Litigation

Best Lawyers (2024): Personal Injury Litigation - Defense

Best Lawyers (2024): Product Liability Litigation - Defense

Benchmark Litigation (2024): Future Star

Admissions
Admissions

Hawaii; USDC, District of Hawaii; Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals;

U.S. Supreme Court

bottom of page