Equal law is provided for all. It’s not supposed to be based on class or politics. My job is to make sure all are provided the same equal law, and I’m not stopping until it is.

Thomas O. Sinclair: A Distinguished Legal Advocate in Birmingham, Alabama

Early Life and Military Service

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Tom’s formative years were marked by discipline and service. He attended high school in a military boarding school, an experience that instilled in him a strong sense of duty and resilience. At the age of eighteen, Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and dedicated six years to military service. His tenure in the Marines not only allowed him to travel the world but also cultivate a profound appreciation for loyalty and commitment.

Academic Pursuits and Early Career

After his military service, Tom sought to further his education and enrolled at the University of Alabama. There he demonstrated exceptional focus by working multiple jobs to finance his studies. Remarkably, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration in just three years and graduated with distinction in 1995. His academic excellence was recognized when he was honored as the Most Outstanding Undergraduate in Finance and Economics.

Following his undergraduate studies, Tom briefly ventured into the finance industry as a loan officer. However, his passion for understanding the intricacies of law led him to pursue legal studies. In 1996, he was awarded the prestigious Harwell G. Davis Presidential Scholarship to attend the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. During law school, his entrepreneurial spirit shone through; he established a clerking service business, collaborating with various law firms across Alabama and providing opportunities for over 200 fellow law students. His active involvement extended to serving on the Moot Court Board, Trial Court Board, and being elected as an Honor Court Justice. He also earned accolades for his advocacy skills, notably receiving an award for best oral argument in a national moot court competition. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law in 1999.

Legal Career and Advocacy

Tom began his legal career representing automotive manufacturers and insurance companies. In this role, he gained invaluable experience, trying his first jury trial as lead counsel and securing a favorable verdict. He also served as in-house counsel for an automanufacturer, leading litigation efforts across twelve states. However, he soon realized that his true calling lay in advocating for individuals rather than corporations. This revelation prompted him to shift his focus to representing clients in matters involving insurance and pension claims governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and various state laws. 

Tom now devotes his practice to representing the People in litigation involving claims governed by ERISA and various states’ laws. Over the years, he has represented clients from diverse locations, ranging from Hawaii to Israel, and has been appointed as lead class counsel for cases involving over 100,000 individuals. His legal acumen has led him to appear in both state and federal courts nationwide, from New York to California.

Tom’s legal practice encompasses a broad spectrum of areas, including:
– Professional and Executive Disability Claims
– ERISA Claims
– Insurance Litigation
– Life and Accidental Death Insurance Claims
– Class Actions
– Pension and Top Hat Claims

His dedication to these areas underscores his commitment to ensuring that individuals receive the benefits and protections they are entitled to under the law.

Professional Affiliations and Contributions

Beyond his legal practice, Tom is actively involved in several professional organizations. He has served on the board and executive committee of the Alabama Association for Justice (formerly The Alabama Trial Lawyers), holding positions such as Small Firm Section Chair and Employment Law Section Chair. His affiliations also include memberships and service in the Alabama State Bar Association’s Insurance Committeewhere he served as Chair, the Birmingham Bar Association’s Grievance Committee where he supervised a dozen other attorneys investigating complaints against members of the legal community, the Birmingham Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Committee charged with providing continuing legal education for attorneys, the American Bar Association’s Litigation Section, and the American Association for Justice’s ERISA Benefits Litigation Group. Additionally, he has contributed to the Cumberland Alumni Association, serving as the Young Alumni President for the Birmingham area from 2000 to 2005.

His commitment to the legal community is further evidenced by his frequent invitations to speak at seminars for fellow attorneys and his authorship of several articles on ERISA and individual disability income insurance claims. Tom also dedicates time to public interest cases, reflecting his deep-seated belief in equal justice for all.

Admissions and Recognitions

Tom was admitted to the Alabama Supreme Court in 1999 and has since been admitted to practice in various U.S. District Courts, including the Middle, Northern, and Southern Districts of Alabama, Eastern District of Tennessee and Northern District of Florida. His appellate practice extends to the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second, Fifth, Sixth, and Eleventh Circuits, and he was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2014. His peers have recognized his legal excellence, as evidenced by his selection to the Super Lawyers list in 2019 and from 2022 to 2024.

Personal Philosophy

At the core of Tom’s legal practice is a steadfast commitment to ensuring equal law for all, irrespective of class or politics. He views his role as a guardian of this principle, tirelessly working to ensure that justice is uniformly applied and accessible to everyone.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

We invite you to explore our website, but more importantly, we invite you to call us and meet with us. Our initial consultation is provided free of charge.

Contact Us

(877) 249-0091