Attorney Profile
Thomas F. Brown
Areas of Practice
Contact Info
Overview
Tom is a member of the Casualty Department and serves as the Assistant Managing Attorney of the Orlando office. He devotes his practice to civil litigation defense, advocating for corporations in claims of premises liability, wrongful death and product liability. He has handled hundreds of cases on behalf of a variety of corporations, many involving catastrophic injuries. During his career, he also has handled cases involving employment law, labor law, negligent security, trucking and transportation, motor vehicle accidents, sexual abuse and workers’ compensation. He also has experience handling cases involving allegations of mold resulting in personal injury and/or property damage. As part of his amusement and entertainment practice, Tom represents venues including theme parks, golf courses, water parks and retail stores. Tom is an active member of the International Amusement and Leisure Defense Association (IALDA).
Tom co-chairs the firms Rideshare Liability practice where he represents some of the nation’s leading ridesharing companies, their independent drivers and insurance carriers. In this capacity, he assists in managing the unique legal issues that often arise with rideshare claims, including insurance coverage, direct and vicarious liability and statutory compliance challenges.
Tom began his career at a civil litigation firm in Miami where he worked with one of the presidents of the Florida Bar. In 2006, he moved to Orlando where he joined a statewide defense litigation firm. Tom continues to dedicate his practice to defending corporations in civil litigation here at Marshall Dennehey.
Tom obtained his undergraduate degree from Rollins College where he made Dean’s List and President’s List. In 2001, he graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. As a law student, he made Dean’s List and earned the Dean’s Certificate of Achievement as well as the CALI Excellence for the Future Award.
Tom is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Results
Successfully resolved a wrongful death action involving a 14-year-old boy who tragically fell from an attraction at a major entertainment complex in Orlando, FL. Representing the ride's owner/operator, Tom was able to navigate the complexities of a concurrent criminal investigation, a State of Florida administrative review, and widespread international media coverage.
Obtained Judgment on the Pleadings on behalf of plaintiff's employer in a matter involving alleged intentional tort where demand was $250,000.
Successfully argued a Motion to Dismiss for Fraud on the Court in a matter involving alleged electric shock where demand was over $100,000.
Played an active role in the investigation, discovery, and motion phases of a product liability case that settled during deliberations in the second phase of trial where demand to jury was over $500,000,000 but award against client after first phase of trial was less than $50,000.
Prepared a successful Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on a negligent hiring and negligent supervision in a matter involving an employee that shot an innocent bystander, and the matter settled shortly thereafter.
Obtained defense verdict in workers' compensation case involving alleged permanent total disability.
O'Rourke v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 65 So.3d 529 (Fla. 5th DCA 2011)
Edwards v. Cornelius, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 79587 (M.D. Fla. June 8, 2012)
Thought Leadership
Mock Trial, Trial Run, Tabletop Role Playing – Guilty or Not Guilty?, Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC) Annual Summer Meeting, Orlando, FL, July 22, 2024
Sharing Economy: Carshare and Rideshare Litigation, Florida Defense Lawyers Association (FDLA) webinar, February 9, 2023
The Complexity of Rideshare Claims, AM Best Insurance Law Podcast, June 2021
Defending Catastrophic Injury Claims - How to Stack the Deck in Your Favor, Marshall Dennehey Florida Claims Symposium – Casino Royale, Tampa, FL, September 20, 2018
Legal RoundTable, Amusement Industry Manufacturers & Suppliers International Conference, Orlando, FL, 2015
Blitz on Damages: Challenging Medical Bills, Marshall Dennehey Florida Claims Symposium - The Best Defense is a Good Offense, Orlando, FL, September 17, 2014
Analyzing Slip and Fall Claims, Gallagher Bassett Services, April 2014, co-presenter
Legal Round Table, IAAPA Convention, 2012
Reducing The Risk & Severity of Claims, Athletic Business Conference, 2011
Roller Skating Association and International Laser Tag Association Convention, 2011
Legal Round Table, IAAPA Convention, 2011
"Defending Ride-Hailing and Car-Sharing Claims: Handling Accident-Related Lawsuits in a Shared Economy," CLM Magazine, January 2022