Atty. Thomas Laughlin
Thomas Laughlin is one of the founding partners of the Dallas office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Thomas regularly represents clients in mergers and acquisitions (including controlling investments, preferred equity and other minority investments, and SPAC transactions), divestitures, joint ventures, debt and equity financings, restructurings and other corporate matters.
Corporate Law & More Attorney · Serving Dallas, TX
Profile Summary
About Thomas Laughlin at a Glance
Thomas Laughlin is a business and m&a attorney based in Dallas, Texas, practicing at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Educated at The University of Texas (J.D., 2010). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Venture Capital Law (2026). Serves clients in Dallas, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Thomas Laughlin
- Thomas Laughlin is one of the founding partners of the Dallas office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Thomas regularly represents clients in mergers and acquisitions (including controlling investments, preferred equity and other minority investments, and SPAC transactions), divestitures, joint ventures, debt and equity financings, restructurings and other corporate matters
- Thomas has broad experience across many industries, but in particular, he has focused his practice representing clients in the energy, infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, logistics, transportation and healthcare sectors
- The private equity firms and asset managers that Thomas has represented include Allied Industrial Partners, Apollo, Ares, Blackstone, Blue Owl, Braemont Capital, Chambers Energy Capital, Clearlake Capital Group, CPPIB, Cresta, Energy Spectrum, HBK Capital Management, HGGC, Maverick Ventures, Quantum, Oaktree, Pine Brook Partners, RedBird Capital Partners, Riverstone Holdings, TPG Capital, Trive Capital and Vortus Investments
- Thomas has also represented many public and private companies and family businesses
Practice Areas Explained
Thomas Laughlin's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Thomas Laughlin handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Dallas.
Business & Corporate Law in Dallas
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Thomas Laughlin is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Texas →
Mergers & Acquisitions in Dallas
Thomas Laughlin is one of 49,430 m&a attorneys indexed nationally. Browse m&a attorneys in Texas →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Dallas
Practicing law in Texas. Legal matters in Texas are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Dallas are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Texas state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Texas brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Texas courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Dallas Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Dallas-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Dallas or all attorneys in Texas.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Dallas Choose Thomas Laughlin
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Thomas Laughlin's practice in the field of business and m&a.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering business and m&a, Thomas Laughlin can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Dallas
A Dallas-based practice means Thomas Laughlin attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Thomas Laughlin Handles in Dallas
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Thomas Laughlin has experience with under Texas law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Thomas Laughlin directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Thomas Laughlin Online
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Thomas Laughlin's Practice Areas & Specializations
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