Tom Breen focuses his practice at SGB on representing those injured from products and other serious personal injury matters. He is known among his peers as an outstanding trial attorney and fierce advocate for his clients, with the ability and passion to litigate complex cases against the toughest opponents.
Tom began his law career as a Deputy King County Prosecutor where he first-chaired scores of trials to verdict. Prior to joining SGB, he was lead counsel for the litigation team of a boutique law firm, and worked at a commercial litigation firm, where he tried a variety of cases in court and at arbitration.
Tom is fluent in Spanish and volunteers his time at a Hispanic legal clinic. He also serves on the faculties of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and the University of Washington School of Law, instructing lawyers and law students on trial advocacy.
Prior to law school Tom completed two years of public service with Teach for America, and taught college in Spain and in San Francisco, California. During law school Tom clerked for celebrated trial attorney Dick DeGuerin and was the recipient of a Caine fellowship, which sent him to Latin America to work on environmental law issues for Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Antonio Herman Benjamin.
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- Numerous substantial settlements for clients in mesothelioma matters.
- Verdict in client's favor after three week jury trial in King County Superior Court.
- Verdict for client after two week jury trial in Island County Superior Court.
- Arbitration award for clients after multi-week hearing. Attorney fees awarded to clients.
- Arbitration award for client after one week arbitration.
- On appeal reversed orders entered by trial court for three cases.
- Substantial settlement for client in pregnancy discrimination lawsuit.
- Substantial settlement in medical malpractice matter for client with a traumatic brain injury.
Education
- University at Albany, State University of New York, B.A., 1993, magna cum laude
- Middlebury College, M.A., 1994
- The University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 2003
Professional and Civic Involvement
- "Rising Star" Washington Law & Politics 2010, 2011, 2012
- Speaker, WSBA, Evidence and Objection Skills Boot Training CLE: "How to Prepare for the Unexpected at Trial" 2011
- Speaker, WSBA, Jury Selection and Other Jury Skills CLE: "How to Avoid Having 12 Angry Jurors: The Fundamentals for Excelling In Front of a Jury" 2010
- Speaker, King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office "Effective Cross Examination" 2011
- Member of the William L. Dwyer American Inn of Courts
- Adjunct Faculty, University of Washington School of Law, Trial Advocacy
- Faculty Member, National Institute of Trial Advocacy
- Mock Trial Coach, University of Washington, American Association of Justice competition
- Faculty member, University of San Francisco 1997-1998
- Faculty member, La Universidad Europea de Madrid 1996-1997
- Literacy Academy Director for Latin American immigrant students, Redwood City 1996-1997
- Advisory Board Member, Stand for Children, Washington State Chapter
Admissions
- Washington State
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
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