Thomas W.H. "Tommy" Buck, Jr.

Tommy’s practice covers a variety of litigation at both the trial and appellate levels. He has defended clients in the health care and education industries against claims brought under the False Claims Act and has represented individual, corporate, and governmental clients across a wide range of proceedings, including whistleblower actions, commercial and employment disputes, class actions, and federal criminal prosecutions.

Tommy is also an experienced appellate lawyer. Within the past two years, he has presented oral argument to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and has secured multiple victories for clients at the Alabama Supreme Court. Having served as a law clerk to Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell, he is uniquely qualified to provide counsel to clients litigating appeals in Alabama’s highest court.

Tommy has been named to the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum and has been recognized as One to Watch by Best Lawyers since 2021.

Before attending law school, Tommy served as a Surface Warfare Officer, Public Affairs Officer, and admiral’s aide in the United States Navy. Tommy received his J.D. from Emory University School of Law. He also holds a B.S. in Political Science and English from Vanderbilt University and an M.T.S. from Candler School of Theology.

• United States v. Posey, No. 21-11253, 2022 WL 17056662 (11th Cir. Nov. 17, 2022) (presented oral argument related to complex criminal law issue involving the effect of hemp legalization on sentencing enhancements)
• Ex parte Association of County Comm’ns of Ala. Liability Self-Insurance Fund, Inc., No. 1210183, 2022 WL 2188195 (Ala. June 17, 2022) (secured writ of mandamus ordering trial court to dismiss claims against liability self-insurance fund)
• Naftel v. State ex rel. Driggars, No. 1200755, 2022 WL 497474 (Ala. Feb. 18, 2022) (successfully defended client's judicial appointment against constitutional challenge)
• Mays Mining, Inc. v. Nexgen Extractions, No. 6:20-CV-1723, 2021 WL 2139059 (N.D. Ala. May 26, 2021) (obtained dismissal of plaintiff’s fraud claims)
• Craig & Landreth Cars Inc. v. Protective Life Corp., No. 2020-CA-0119, 2021 WL 1431870 (Ky. Ct. App. Apr. 16, 2021) (successfully defended trial court’s dismissal of plaintiffs’ tort and contract claims against client)
• Milner v. Team Health, No. 2:19-CV-2041, 2020 WL 5658903 (N.D. Ala. Sept. 23, 2020) (obtained dismissal of employment discrimination and False Claims Act claims brought against hospital)
• Protective Life Ins. Co. v. Apex Parks Grp., LLC, 322 So. 3d 1027 (Ala. 2020) (obtained reversal of $11.4 million jury verdict against client and rendering of judgment for client as matter of law)
• United States ex rel. Gilbert v. Virginia College, LLC,305 F. Supp. 3d 1315 (N.D. Ala. 2018) (obtained dismissal of False Claims Act claims brought against educational institution)
• United States v. Parker, 696 F. App’x 443 (11th Cir. 2017) (as special prosecutor, successfully defended the trial court’s contempt order against city police chief)

Recognition

• Listed in Best Lawyers, "Ones to Watch" for Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2022-present), Health Care Law (2024)
• Alabama State Bar 2020 Leadership Forum