Tom is a principal at Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black (WRVB) and Co-chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment practice group. Tom’s nationwide practice focuses on traditional labor/management issues, HR counseling, and employment litigation.

Tom devotes much of his attention to labor/management relations and NLRB matters. Peers have commented that “he is one of the most recognized traditional labor lawyers in Virginia.” He represents employers across the country in collective bargaining, grievances/arbitrations, NLRB litigation, union organizing and decertification campaigns, strike management, and other issues under collective bargaining agreements. Tom has extensive experience representing government contractors regarding collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, Service Contract Act compliance, and related issues. He regularly serves as chief spokesman in union negotiations and has handled more than 100 labor arbitration cases.

Outside traditional labor matters, Tom’s practice embraces the full range of labor and employment issues ranging from discipline/discharge, workforce reductions, handbooks and agreements, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, wage/hour compliance, health and disability, employee leave and benefits, and unfair competition. He represents employers before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, including the NLRB, EEOC, DOL, and OFCCP. Tom, along with Patice Holland, prevailed against the EEOC in a jury trial of a Title VII sexual harassment claim, obtaining a defense verdict on all counts.

Best Lawyers in America named Tom as the 2022 Roanoke Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Labor & Employment and previously has named him Roanoke Lawyer of the Year for Labor Law‑Management and Employment Law‑Management. Tom is a Fellow in the Roanoke Law Foundation and a past member of the Virginia Bar Association’s Board of Governors. He currently serves on the Governance Committee for the VBA’s Board of Governors and the Roanoke City Manager’s Economic Advisory Panel.

Chambers USA ranks Tom as a leading Virginia attorney in the Labor and Employment practice area. Tom has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America since 2004 and is cited in the following practice areas: Labor Law – Management, Employment Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor and Employment. He has been acknowledged in Virginia Business magazine as a Legal Elite, by Virginia Lawyers Weekly as a “Go To Lawyer” for Employment Law, and named to the Virginia Super Lawyers list. Tom has received an AV Preeminent Rating and a Client Distinction Honor from Martindale-Hubbell, and a 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo.

Tom received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and graduated cum laude from the University of Richmond Law School where he was a member of the McNeill Law Society and the Client Counseling and Negotiations Board. A native of Roanoke, Tom’s community involvement has included the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America, Opera Roanoke, Pathfinders for Greenways, DePaul Community Resources, and the American Red Cross of Southwest Virginia, among many others. Tom was named to the 2020-21 Pro Bono Service Honor Roll by the Virginia Access to Justice Commission.

Thought Leadership

Publications

An Employment Law Guide: Employee Rights and Employer Responsibilities in Virginia (2021), Co-editor

Employment Law in Virginia (2020), Co-editor

Representative Matters

Employment Litigation

  • Meadows v. Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc., 436 F.Supp.3d (W.D.Va. 2020) (state law employment and related claims removed to federal court)
  • Lee v. Belvac Prod. Mach., Inc. No. 6:18-CV-00075, 2020 WL 3643133 (W.D. Va. July 6, 2020) (obtained summary judgment in Equal Pay Act and Title VII gender discrimination/wage bias claim)
  • U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Appalachian Power Co., 2019 4644549 (W.D.Va. 2019) (Title VII sexual harassment and retaliation claims; partial summary judgment followed by jury verdict for defense)
  • Clehm v. BAE Systems Ordnance Systems, Inc., 786 Fed. Appx. 391, 2019 WL 479815 (4th Cir. 2019) (Title VII sexual harassment and related state law claims)
  • Clehm v. BAE Systems Ordnance Systems, Inc., 2016 WL 3996165 (W.D.Va. 2016) (Title VII sexual harassment and related state law claims)
  • Hamden v. Total Car Franchising Corp., __ Fed. Appx. __, 2013 WL 613646 (4th Cir. 2013) (non-solicitation/non-disclosure restrictions)
  • Barber v. JTEKT Automotive Virginia, Inc., 2013 WL 871191 (4th Cir. 2013) (Title VII)
  • Local Union 978, Beckley Bargaining Unit of the Intern. Broth. Of Elec. Workers v. Appalachian Power Company, 2012 WL 3864016 (S.D.W.Va 2012) (LMRA Section 301)
  • Phillips v. StellarOne Bank, 2012 WL 3762448 (W.D.Va. 2012) (ADEA)
  • McCall v. American Elec. Power System Long Term Disability Plan, 2012 WL 2236669 (W.D.Va. 2012) (ERISA)
  • Hamden v. Total Car Franchising Corp., 2012 WL 5465011 (W.D.Va. 2012) (noncompetition/nonsolicitation agreement)
  • Barber v. JTEKT Automotive Virginia, Inc., 2012 WL 1577364 (W.D.Va. 2012) (Title VII)
  • Martin v. Yokohama Tire Corp., 2011 WL 836996 (W.D.Va. 2011) (ADA, FLSA)
  • Martin v. Yokohama Tire Corp., 2010 WL 5371341 (W.D.Va. 2010) (ADA, FLSA)
  • Tanaka v. ITT Corporation and IBEW, Local 1260 (AFL-CIO), 2007 WL 3129518 (D.Hawaii 2007) (LMRA Section 301);
  • Hale v. Broadspire Services, Inc., 232 Fed.Appx. 278, 2007 WL 1455142 (4th Cir. 2007) (ERISA);
  • Darden v. Cardinal Travel Center, 493 F.Supp.2d 773 (W.D.Va. 2007) (Title VII);
  • Bateman v. Therapeutic Innovations, Inc., 2007 WL 460828 (W.D.Va. 2007) (Title VII)
  • Hale v. American Elec. Power Ltd Plan, 2007 WL 664511 (4th Cir. 2007) (ERISA);
  • Peffer v. Emtech Laboratories, Inc., 2006 WL 3761625 (W.D.Va. 2006) (Title VII, Pregnancy Discrimination Act);
  • Hale v. Kemper Nat. Services, Inc., 2005 WL 3533416 (W.D.Va. 2005) (ERISA);
  • Hale v. Kemper Nat. Services, Inc., 2005 WL 3263054 (W.D.Va. 2005) (ERISA);
  • Moses v. Yokohama Tire Corp., 110 Fed.Appx. 340, 2004 WL 2291394 (4th Cir. 2004) (ADEA);
  • Thomas v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Inc., 31 Fed.Appx. 101, 2002 WL 376687 (4th Cir. 2002) (Title VII);
  • Glover v. Oppleman, 178 F.Supp.2d 622, 2001 WL 1453903 (W.D.Va. 2001) (Title VII);
  • E.E.O.C. v. Optical Cable Corp., 169 F.Supp.2d 539, 2001 WL 1272201 (W.D.Va. 2001) (Title VII);
  • Thomas v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 2001 WL 34790222 (W.D.Va. 2001) (Title VII);
  • Childress v. Appalachian Power Co., 230 F.3d 1351, 2000 WL 1294253(4th Cir. 2000) (ADA);
  • Childress v. American Elec. Power Co., 205 F.3d 1332, 2000 WL 219759 (4th Cir. 2000) (Title VII, ADA, ADEA, ERISA);
  • Bolinsky v. Carter Machinery Co., Inc., 69 F.Supp.2d 842, 1999 WL 1018667, 81 Fair FEP Cas. (BNA) 441 (W.D.Va. 1999) (ADA);
  • Childress v. Appalachian Power Co., 155 F.3d 558, 1998 WL 417278 (4th Cir. 1998) (ADA);
  • Scearce v. Halifax County, Va., Slip Copy, 1996 WL 500948 (4th Cir. 1996) (Section 1983);
  • Bennett v. Federal Paper Bd. Co., 73 F.3d 356, 1995 WL 756349 (4th Cir. 1995) (Title VII);
  • Cole v. Appalachian Power Co., 903 F.Supp. 975, 1995 WL 684636 (S.D.W.Va. 1995) (Title VII)

Labor Arbitrations and NLRB Proceedings

  • Appalachian Power Co. and IBEW, Local 978, 2012 WL 8134437 (Sergent, 2012) (suspension)
  • ITT Industries Night Vision, Roanoke, Virginia Plant and IUE/CWA Local 82162, 126 Lab. Arb. (BNA) 1252 (Heekin, 2009) (discharge);
  • ITT Corporation, Systems Division, Ft. Benning and Columbus Metal Trades Council and IBEW Local 613, 125 Lab. Arb. (BNA) 402 (Holley, 2008) (discharge);
  • American Electric Power company (Appalachian Power Company, Bluefield, WV and Individual Grievant, 123 Lab. Arb. (BNA) (Trotter, 2007) (discharge);
  • Yokohama Tire Corporation and United Steelworkers, 2007 WL 8029447 (Sergent, 2007) (discharge)
  • ITT Industries Night Vision, Roanoke, Virginia Plant and IUE/CWA Local 82162, 118 LA (BNA) 1504 (Cohen, 2003) (rescission of resignation);
  • Kentucky Power Company, American Electric Power Corp. and IBEW Local 978, 2003 WL 23182290 (Harlan, 2003) (supervisor performing unit work);
  • ITT Industries Night Vision, Roanoke, Virginia Plant and IUE Local 162, 118 LA (BNA) 437 (Duff, 2003) (discharge);
  • Yokohama Tire Corp. and USWA Local 1023, 117 LA (BNA) 5 (Sergent, 2002) (discharge);
  • Yokohama Tire Corp. and USWA Local 1023, 117 LA (BNA) 509 (Sergent, 2002) (discharge);
  • Appalachian Power Company and Individual Employee, 2001 WL 574288 (Heekin, 2001) (discharge);
  • American Electric Power and IBEW Local 978, 114 Lab. Arb. (BNA) 501 (Hewitt, 2000) (discharge);
  • Appalachian Power Company and Individual Grievant, 2000 WL 36098337 (Heekin, 2000) (discharge)
  • Appalachian Power Company, Philip Sporn Plant, and UMWA District 17, Local 5396, 1997 WL 1068767 (Hewitt, 1997) (discharge);
  • Appalachian Mach. and Rebuild Co., 317 NLRB 1343, 151 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 1088 (1995) (discharge)

Attorney Perspectives

Speaking Engagements

  • Mississippi Credit Union Association | Labor & Employment Training
    December 21, 2022
  • Lynchburg Bar Association | Virginia’s Labor Laws & Collective Bargaining
    September 30, 2022
  • Mississippi Credit Union Association | Labor & Employment Training
    August 24, 2022
  • Mississippi Credit Union Association | Labor & Employment Training
    June 30, 2022
  • Mississippi Credit Union Association | Legal Developments in Labor & Employment
    February 24, 2022
  • HR Virginia Annual Conference 2021 | Employment Law 2021: New Administration, New Agency Developments, Case Studies and a Look Forward
    April 12, 2021
  • Local Government Attorneys of Virginia Spring Conference | Collective Bargaining
    March 26, 2021
  • IPMA-Va Spring Conference | 2021 Legal Updates
    March 23, 2021
  • Virginia Association of Community Service Boards HR Leadership | Virginia’s New Employment Laws
    October 30, 2020
  • American Counsel of Engineering Companies of Virginia | HR Roundtable – Virginia’s New Workplace Laws: What’s Here and What’s Coming?
    August 26, 2020
  • Tennessee Credit Union Association | CEO Update
    May 7, 2020
  • Richmond SHRM | HR on Mock Trial: Romance Gone Wrong (Allegedly)
    September 19, 2019
  • MSCUA Annual Meeting | Hot Topics in Employee Handbooks
    May 16, 2019
  • Virginia SHRM Annual Conference | Employment Law Update
    April 8, 2019
  • Virginia Credit Union League Annual Meeting | Human Resources Hot Topics
    April 3, 2019
  • Richmond SHRM | Legal Update
    February 21, 2019
  • Mississippi Credit Union Association | MSCUA HR Training
    February 12, 2019
  • Roanoke SHRM | Legal Updates Panel
    January 22, 2019
  • Conference for Virginia Magistrates | #MeToo & Harrassment, Employment Law Update
    December 5, 2018
  • Conference for Virginia Magistrates | #MeToo & Harrassment, Employment Law Update
    November 28, 2018
  • Credit Union Collaborative: IN, KY, LO, MI, TN, VA, WVA | HR University for Credit Union HR Professionals
    September 25, 2018
  • Richmond SHRM | HR on (Mock) Trial: Racial Discrimination
    September 20, 2018
  • VA District Judges Summer Meeting | Harassment
    August 7, 2018
  • VA Circuit Court Clerks | FMLA and ADA
    June 6, 2018
  • Virginia Employment Commission | Wage & Hour, FLSA, and FMLA
    May 15, 2018
  • VA State SHRM Annual Meeting | Federal Agency Developments in the New Trump Era: What’s New at the EEOC, DOL, and NLRB
    April 23, 2018
  • Association of Clerks of the District Courts of Virginia 28th Annual Meeting | Employment Law 101 | HR, Diversity, Harassment, Sexual Orientation
    April 16, 2018
  • North Carolina ALA Chapter Education Conference | Updates from the EEOC and DOL
    March 13, 2018
  • Richmond SHRM: Legal Update | Sexual Harassment is Unlawful!
    February 13, 2018

Seminars + Events

  • Stronger Together: WRVB 2022 Labor & Employment Seminars
    October 6 - October 24, 2022
  • 40th Annual Labor & Employment Webinar Series
    October 7 – November 4, 2021
  • HR LifeLine: 2020 Labor & Employment Webinar Series
    Every Thursday in October, 2020
  • HR University for Credit Unions
    Nov. 12-14, 2019
  • 2019 Labor and Employment Seminar Series
    October 2 - November 5, 2019
  • 37th Annual Labor & Employment Seminar Series
    September 20 - October 17, 2018

Recognition