C. Thomas Kruse is a recognized litigator with three decades of experience as lead counsel representing clients in commercial matters in federal and state courts — both in jury and bench trials and in appeals — as well as in high-value, out-of-court arbitrations in national and cross-border disputes. Board-certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Tom excels in representing clients in the energy (oil & gas and alternative sources), engineering, manufacturing, and medical, among other industries. He also represents clients before the ICC Court of Arbitration and in American Arbitration Association disputes. In addition to benefiting from his courtroom and arbitration skills, clients also turn to Tom for assistance in matters with both long- and short-term implications, including advice before disputes arise and litigation avoidance whenever possible.
Experience
- Lead trial counsel in obtaining plaintiffs verdict and judgment in 2023 for millions in damages, attorneys fees, and declaratory judgment over sale of petrochemical facility in Texas State District Court. The case involved an $8.5 million acquisition of cutting edge technology and a petrochemical plant in Texas. Our client prevailed on all claims. On appeal, served as lead appellate counsel, presenting oral argument, with the Texas Court of Appeals affirming the trial court’s verdict in March 2025.
- Publicly traded energy company, as co-lead counsel, in an insurance coverage dispute with major carriers and a brokerage firm. The underlying case involved accidents at two drilling rigs, with a dispute over coverage and underwriting claims involving significant settlement and defense costs for breach of the insurance contracts and broker client service, potential bad faith, and related tort claims. The case is set for trial in 2025.
- Publicly traded energy services corporation, as lead trial counsel in a Texas court in Houston, in obtaining a jury verdict after a six-week trial with an actual damages award of $77 million in a breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and conspiracy case over an oilfield kickback scheme involving hundreds of millions of dollars in international transactions. The appeal was dismissed.
- Two international integrated energy companies, after taking over as lead counsel, in trial of ICC arbitration matter involving damage claims and counter claims of $500+ million over the operation and conversion of an LNG plant terminal in Latin America; handled live hearing with three-member ICC Arbitration panel in Mexico City (October 2021).
- International publicly traded manufacturing company, acted as lead counsel in investigation and handling state and federal court lawsuit over allegations of wrongful death in plant in Mexico due to COVID-19 exposure.
Perspectives
Recognition
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Vanderbilt University Law School, 1989
- Bobby Jones Scholar, University of St. Andrews, 1986
- B.A., Emory University, 1985
Admissions
- Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of International Trade
- U.S. District Court, Nebraska
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Clerkships
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, The Honorable Ricardo H. Hinojosa
Activities
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, International Association of Defense Counsel
- Member, Texas State Bar
- Life Fellow, Houston Bar Foundation
- Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation