Tom Godbold's dedication to his clients and his ability to find creative solutions to their legal problems are a formidable combination in his general/corporate litigation practice.  A partner in Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.'s Houston office since 1991, he has handled commercial litigation, securities litigation, class action litigation, professional liability defense, tax, trademark and First Amendment matters in state and federal court.

In addition to his general/corporate litigation experience, Tom has tried a number of accounting malpractice cases to jury verdicts, and has handled a variety of matters for the accounting profession.

Recent, significant cases include:

• Representing major pharmaceutical company in tax controversy litigation in federal court.
• Representing major energy company in tax controversy litigation in federal court.
• Representing chemical company in construction litigation dispute in federal court.
• Representing both the former CEO and COO of a public energy company in their arbitration proceedings against the company to collect their severance packages.
• Representing former CEO of a public energy company in federal securities litigation.
• Serving as lead counsel in a securities class action case against a Big Four Accounting Firm in state court.
• Representing a global technology services and outsourcing company in a case involving computer consulting malpractice.
• Representing a large Dallas law firm in a legal malpractice suit.
• Representing, on a pro bono basis, a mother in a custody case to determine the primary residence of her child.
• Representing, on a pro bono basis, a national civil rights organization in a breach of contract dispute.

• State Bar of Texas 
  • Board of Directors, Chair (2005 - 2006)
  • Director (2003 - 2006)
• Houston Bar Association
  • President (2002 - 2003)
  • Director/Officer (1996 - 2004)
  • Dispute Resolution Center, Chair (2001)
  • Volunteer Lawyers Program, Chair (2002)
  • Speakers Bureau, Chair
  • Law & the Media Committee, Chair
  • Law Week Committee, Chair
  • Professionalism Committee, Chair
  • Community Affairs Committee, Chair
• Houston Bar Foundation, Fellow
• Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
• American Bar Association

• Presidential Citation, State Bar of Texas, for service as Chair of the State Bar Board of Directors (2006)
• Presidential Citation, State Bar of Texas, for service as Chair of the Legal Services for the Poor Funding Request Work Group (2004)

1982 - J.D., University of Houston School of Law
1979 - B.B.A., Finance, The University of Texas

While in law school, Tom was a member of the Order of the Barons Honor Society. 

He served as a law clerk for the Honorable Carl. O. Bue, Jr., of the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division from 1982 - 1984.

Tom was admitted to practice law in Texas in 1982.

Tom loves golf and is a big fan of the University of Texas Longhorn football team.

• Texas Access to Justice Foundation, Board of Directors (2007 - present)
• John Wesley United Methodist Church
  • Church Council, Chair (2002)
  • Lay Leader (2000 - 2001)
• Houston Graduate School of Theology, Board of Trustees (2003 - Present)
• Champions Golf Club, Inc., Board of Directors (1997 - Present)  

• Current
  • Co-Chair Firm-wide Diversity Committee
  • Co-Head of Litigation Team 3
  • Co-Coordinator Modified Work Schedules Program
• Former
  • Firm-wide Chair of Employment