E. Thomas McCarthy, Jr. of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a seasoned trial lawyer with a well-earned reputation for achieving justice for his clients. Tom joined Smith Haughey in 1978 and, with the exception of three years during which he worked with a small plaintiff firm, has been an important part of Smith Haughey's litigation team ever since.
Over the years, Tom has handled and tried a wide variety of civil and criminal cases, for both plaintiffs and defendants. The focus of his practice now is the representation of seriously injured people. Tom maintains a statewide practice representing people and families whose lives have been damaged through the negligent or wrongful conduct of others, securing compensation for trauma survivors and other victims of personal injury and wrongful death. Tom has helped clients recover millions in settlements and verdicts, and was named by Best Lawyers as "Grand Rapids Personal Injury Litigator of the Year" for 2009. He serves as Co-Chair of the firm's Plaintiff Personal Injury Practice Group. To review testimonials from Tom's clients, click here.
Tom is a trial lawyer other lawyer's turn to when needs arise. He regularly receives referrals to represent other lawyers' clients in catastrophic injury and complex commercial litigation cases. He also represents lawyers and other professionals in liability matters. Tom was honored to serve as lead trial counsel for the State Bar of Michigan in representing one of its officers in a 2004 federal jury trial.
In addition to his trial practice, Tom has worked as a neutral facilitative mediator since 1989. He has been certified to mediate cases in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and is on the list of court-approved mediators in that court and many state courts. Tom has mediated hundreds of cases. He received his training as a mediator through programs at Harvard Law School, the Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Tom has participated in training mediators by serving as a presenter and coach in various training sessions. To review a summary of Tom's mediation training, click here.
Outside of work, in addition to spending time with his family, Tom enjoys running, waterskiing, and songwriting. He is a volunteer on the waterski staff of the Great Lakes Burn Camp and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association. Tom also enjoys teaching trial advocacy to students and coaches the Forest Hills Eastern High School Mock Trial Team.
