Thomas A. Culpepper

Tom Culpepper serves as Thompson Coe General Counsel, where he supports the Firm’s strategic planning and regulatory compliance.

His practice is focused on professional liability defense, commercial disputes, and insurance coverage disputes. He has resolved hundreds of cases outside of trial, and he has tried over 20 cases to verdict. He is committed to helping clients reach the best possible resolution to their disputes whether it be through trial, arbitration or settlement. Tom represents attorneys, insurance agents, insurers, real estate brokers, commercial property owners, accountants, third party administrators, officers and directors, and other professionals throughout Texas. He also guides professionals through grievance proceedings.

Tom served as Chairman of the Firm’s Professional Liability Section from 2001-2011 and in 2012, the Firm selected Tom to serve on its Management Committee. Finally, Tom has testified before the Texas House and Senate in support of legislation addressing the inequities insurance professionals face when confronted with a professional liability lawsuit.

Representative Experience

Won Fifth Circuit appeal in which the court upheld arbitration award for law firm client over unpaid legal fees.

After a one-week arbitration, the arbitration panel completely exonerated Tom's client, a prominent Plaintiff’s attorney on a legal malpractice claim. The Plaintiff claimed Defendant failed to put on sufficient evidence to sustain a multimillion dollar judgment on appeal.

Obtained a defense verdict for an insurance agency on misrepresentation and negligence claims.

Obtained defense verdict for an insurance agency in a two-week trial on a homeowner’s million dollar claim involving a substantially underinsured historic home.

Obtained summary judgment for a Dallas law firm on a malpractice claim in which the plaintiffs claimed the law firm mishandled a child custody case.

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of large independent insurance agency on a multi-million dollar misrepresentation and fraud claim involving business interruption insurance.

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a bonding agent on a school construction project in which the Plaintiff claimed the bonding agent misrepresented it would obtain performance bonds.

Obtained defense verdict in a multi-million dollar legal malpractice case in which the Plaintiff contended the law firm pursued frivolous claims. In the same case, Tom obtained a judgment in favor of his client on its fee claim.