Tom Graves

Principal

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Thomas Graves is a Principal in the Dallas office of McKool Smith whose practice deals with complex commercial litigation

Mr. Graves served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert M. Hill, U.S. District Court Judge, Northern District of Texas, 1978-79.  He also served as Adjunct Professor, Texas Civil Procedure, at SMU School of Law 1987-89.

Representative Matters

Powell v. BP Amoco, et al. Mr. Graves represented the State of New Mexico in royalty litigation against a number of major oil companies that resulted in a favorable settlement for the State related to royalty underpayments.

Feerer v. Amoco Production, et al. Represented the plaintiff class of royalty owners against major oil companies in royalty litigation, resulting in a settlement in favor of the class worth approximately $50 million.

Snelling and Snelling Arbitration. Represented Snelling & Snelling, one of the nation’s largest personnel companies, in a major dispute related to ownership and operation of the company. After an arbitration hearing lasting approximately two weeks, an award was rendered in favor of the company.

Crow Partners. Over a period of several years, Mr. Graves successfully represented a number of former partners of the Trammel Crow Company in litigation and disputes related to their departure from the company.

Public Service Co. of New Mexico. Represented PNM, a NYSE utility company, in major securities class and derivative actions which resulted in a settlement funded entirely by insurance proceeds. The company recouped significant funds for fees and costs.

Awards & Recognition

He is listed in the guide to The Best Lawyers in America and his peers selected him to the 2003, 2004, and 2005 list of Texas Super Lawyers. Business Litigation.”

Recent Matters

• Laura Dichter, et al. v. BP America Production Company, et al.

News

• Court Approves $35 Million Settlement in Royalty Class Action
• Nine McKool Smith Attorneys Named to National Best Lawyers List
• Eleven McKool Smith Attorneys Honored Among Best in Texas
• Eleven McKool Smith Attorneys in 2007 Super Lawyers List
• Ten McKool Smith Attorneys Named 2006 Super Lawyers
• McKool Smith Principals Among Best Lawyers in America
• McKool Smith Attorneys Recognized Among Nation’s Top Business Litigators

Articles

• Co-author of the “Annual Survey of Texas Law-Texas Civil Procedure”
  Southwestern Law Journal and SMU Law Review (1982-89, 1996, and 2000-01),