Atty. Thomas R. Freeman
Thomas R. Freeman is a principal at Bird Marella and a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Law.
Profile Summary
About Thomas R. Freeman at a glance
Thomas R. Freeman is a criminal defense, white collar, and appellate attorney based in Los Angeles, California, practicing at Bird, Marella, Rhow, Lincenberg, Drooks & Nessim LLP. Educated at Northwestern University (J.D., 1987). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serands clients in Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Thomas R. Freeman is a principal at Bird Marella and a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Law
- His practice is focused on civil litigation at the trial and appellate levels, and criminal appeals
- He is certified as an appellate specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and has argued countless cases before federal and state appellate courts and case-dispositive motions before trial courts
- Tom has handled a broad range of complex matters, including claims brought under federal and state antitrust and false claims statutes, federal communication laws, California’s Unfair Competition Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act, healthcare law, copyright law, securities laws, the U.S. and California Constitutions, and RICO
- Tom also works with Ron Nessim on entertainment litigation representing talent in disputes with major studios
- Tom has represented large manufacturers and retailers in several cases, successfully defending against class action complaints
- He pioneered the now widespread practice of moving to “strike” class allegations in state court after he prevailed on a petition for writ of mandate, setting precedent for pre-discovery attacks on class-related allegations
- He has successfully argued against class certification of claims about allegedly defective phones, printers and copiers
- He also prevailed at the trial and appellate levels in defending against claims about supposedly deceptive “rebate” practices under the California’s Unfair Competition and Consumer Legal Remedies Acts
- He represented the proponents of Measure B, a 2012 ballot initiative in Los Angeles County mandating the use of condoms in adult films
- The ballot proponents had intervened to defend the constitutionality of Measure B after the County declined to take a position on the Measure’s constitutionality
- Tom prevailed before the Ninth Circuit both in arguing that the ballot proponents had the right to participate in the litigation because they were not required to demonstrate Article III standing and that Measure B passed constitutional muster because it was reasonably tailored to protect public health
- Tom has been lead appellate counsel in a wide variety of precedent-setting appeals
- He successfully argued to the California Supreme Court a case of great significance to the health care field, where the Supreme Court held that emergency-care providers cannot “balance bill” HMO enrollees for the difference between the amount billed by the provider and the amount paid by the HMO
- In another precedent-establishing case, Tom prevailed in arguing that parties in civil cases cannot be interrogated at deposition about the legal basis for their claims or defenses, such areas may be inquired into only by written interrogatories, where answers can be carefully crafted by their lawyers
- Tom also prevailed in arguing that an established Ninth Circuit causation standard in civil rights cases implicated the First Amendment was inconsistent with recent Supreme Court precedent, causing the Circuit to adopt a new standard
- Tom has been listed as a “Southern California Super Lawyer” by Los Angeles Magazine and is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, the Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
Practice Areas Explained
Thomas R. Freeman's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Thomas R. Freeman handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Thomas R. Freeman is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in California →
Thomas R. Freeman is one of 20,025 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in California →
Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.
Thomas R. Freeman is one of 86,319 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in California
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Los Angeles are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Los Angeles or all attorneys in California.
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