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

Tommy litigates with an eye towards finding innovative legal solutions to complex legal problems. Being well-versed in a variety of litigation at both the trial and appellate levels, Tommy carefully guides his clients through every stage of the litigation process and makes sure they understand the options and strategies available for reaching their desired outcomes.

In his extensive experience as an appellate lawyer, Tommy has secured numerous victories for his clients. In 2025, he obtained a reversal by the Alabama Supreme Court of a trial court’s denial of a motion for new trial following an $8.5 million jury verdict. Tommy has also helped his clients obtain reversal or mandamus relief from the Alabama Supreme Court in bad-faith insurance denial, wrongful-death, quo warranto, and personal injury cases. Having served as a law clerk to former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell, and as a member of the Alabama Supreme Court’s Standing Committee on the Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure, Tommy is uniquely qualified to counsel clients litigating in Alabama’s highest Court.

Clients in the midst of high-stakes trials will call on Tommy’s appellate expertise before an appeal is even filed. Tommy has worked with trial teams in both state and federal forums to identify issues and strategies for setting up successful appeals.

In addition to his appellate work, Tommy’s trial-court practice spans a wide range of subject matter, including False Claims Act litigation, commercial disputes, and personal injury defense.

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

• Nissan N. Am., Inc. v. Henderson-Brundidge, 2025 WL 3039769 (Ala. Oct. 31, 2025) (reversing $8.5 million product-liability verdict and remanding to allow trial judge to order new trial) 

• Milner v. Baptist Health Montgomery, 132 F.4th 1354 (11th Cir. 2025) (obtained affirmance of dismissal of False Claims Act lawsuit on res judicata grounds)

• Sykes v. Majestic Mississippi, LLC, 402 So. 3d 203 (Ala. 2024) (obtained affirmance of summary judgment for casino in case brought by passengers of charter bus involved in accident while traveling to casino)
• Volcano Enterprises, LLC v. Ensley District Developers, LLC, SC-2023-0143 (Ala. Nov. 9, 2023) (obtained affirmance of client’s dismissal based on appellants’ failure to prosecute in the trial court)
• Dolgencorp, LLC v. Gilliam, 392 So. 3d 71 (Ala. 2023)  (obtained reversal of $381,000 jury verdict against client and rendering of judgment for client as matter of law)
• United States ex re. Mullen v. Cardinal Health, Inc., 691 F. Supp. 3d 309 (D. Mass. Sept. 7, 2023) (obtained dismissal of False Claims Act lawsuit based on first-to-file rule)
• Milner v. Southeast ER Physicians, PA, SC-2022-0755 (Ala. Jan. 6, 2023) (obtained affirmance of trial court’s dismissal of state-law tort claims for failure to state a claim)
• 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., 368 So. 3d 823 (Ala. 2022) (secured writ of mandamus ordering trial court to dismiss claims against liability self-insurance fund)
• Naftel v. State ex rel. Driggars, 361 So. 3d 751 (Ala. 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 - present)
• Alabama State Bar 2020 Leadership Forum