Thomas J. McDermott Has Been One of the Nation’s Best Business Litigators for the Past Fifty-Two Years

Professional Overview

Thomas J. McDermott Jr. established the Law Offices of Thomas J. McDermott in the Palm Springs area. He has been practicing law for fifty-two years. Mr. McDermott spent most of those years with "Mega Firms" in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C. His practice areas include business litigation, business development, and intellectual property (patents, copyrights and trademarks). Mr. McDermott has litigated in state and federal courts in California, Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, Illinois, Massachusetts, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Florida. During his career, he has represented various clients, which include diverse industries, major corporations, government entities, and prominent entertainers.

Mr. McDermott helped found and was president of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL), where he was the first editor of its Bulletin. He was President of the UCLA Law Alumni Association, chair of the Ninth Circuit Advisory Board, chair of the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, chair of the Lawyer Representatives Coordinating Committee of the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, and chair of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of California. Mr. McDermott served on the board of the Los Angeles Music Center Performing Arts Council. He was one of the founders of the Los Angeles Opera Company and represented it for several years. Mr. McDermott has written extensively for California Litigation, the publication of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of California. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Over the years, Mr. McDermott has been awarded with several distinctions. He is the recipient of the John Frank Award, given once a year by the Ninth Circuit to a lawyer for outstanding service to the federal courts. On Saturday, June 22, 2013, Mr. McDermott was inducted into the State Bar of California Litigation Section's Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame.

He was born and raised in Santa Monica, CA. Mr. McDermott graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from the University of California, Los Angeles. After serving the United States Army in Korea, he earned his J.D. from UCLA School of Law, where he was Articles Editor of Law Review and he received the prestigious Order of the Coif.

When the fearless attorney isn't working, Mr. McDermott enjoys reading, music, and performing magic. He also loves attending operas, as well as musical plays and comedies. Mr. McDermott is a frequent visitor of Las Vegas' Botero restaurant. His favorite authors include James Joyce, Charles Dickens, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Mr. McDermott's Memories and Motivations

Does Mr. McDermott have a most memorable law school experience? The candid attorney claimed, "I disliked it, intensely." Mr. McDermott continued to say that law school was extremely difficult, but he was fortunate to obtain a summer clerk position at a law firm. He added, "I enjoyed practicing law. There wasn't a relationship between law school and practicing law, at least not at that time."

Why did Mr. McDermott decide to become an attorney? "I wanted to make a living. We [students] were all there for one reason - to make a living." Mr. McDermott noted that a majority of the students had served in the military and were looking forward to their law careers. He acknowledged that he made four hundred dollars a month while working at a law firm, which was much better than earning one hundred dollars for the summer clerk position he held at his first law firm.

So what is the best part of his job? Mr. McDermott jokingly stated, "My secretary."

What is Mr. McDermott known for professionally? "Appearing and arguing in court."

What area of the law is he most passionate about? "Business litigation."

Is there an area of practice Mr. McDermott would like to develop further into? "Intellectual property business."

What does the attorney think about the business law field today? "The biggest change is litigation. The cost of discovery has become so costly. Filing a lawsuit today will cost you four hundred dollars. It used to be free. The cost has driven normal people out of litigation."

If he weren't a lawyer, what would he probably be doing? "I would be a writer."

Mr. McDermott was asked where he sees himself in five years' time. "I will be doing exactly what I am doing now, practicing law in Palm Desert."

What motivates him to be an attorney everyday? "It's about the people you meet. Everyday you meet people and learn about a new business. The law is interesting, fascinating, and fun, only if you are actively practicing."

How Mr. McDermott want to be remembered? "As someone who did the best for the people he represented."

High Profile Clients, The John Frank Award and Being Inducted into the 2013 Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame
Mr. McDermott's clients over the years have included The Platters; Gold Medalist Sonja Henie; Precise Exercise Equipment Co. (AbRoller); Lawry's Food; Professional Golf Association of America (PGA Tour); Agouron Pharmaceuticals; McCulloch Oil Corporation; McCulloch Properties; KCET; United Airlines; Warner Lambert; Bell & Howell; Owens Corning; Pfizer; Bob's Big Boy; Pan American World Airways; Warner Bros.; Merrill Lynch; La Quinta Chamber of Commerce; Raley's Markets; Westwood One; Trans World Airlines (TWA); Ford Motor Co.; Pentel; United Food & Commercial Workers; Packard Bell; IBM; Penguin's Frozen Yogurt; The Pacific Resource Partnership; Los Angeles Opera Co.; and Baskin Robbins. What case stands out in Mr. McDermott's mind? "There wasn't one case that stood out over another. They were all interesting in all aspects. What's interesting is meeting people and being in interesting situations."

Mr. McDermott has litigated in state and federal courts in California, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Massachusetts, Illinois, Iowa, Florida, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Is there a particular state that he prefers practicing law in? Why? "I prefer California because it's where I live and grew up. I know the law here the best. However, practicing law in other states was interesting for different reasons."

He received the John Frank Award, given once a year by the Ninth Circuit to a lawyer for outstanding service to the federal courts. Was this one of Mr. McDermott's greatest accomplishments? "Definitely. The two highest awards I received during my career were the John Frank Award and being inducted into the 2013 Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. I don't know how it happened, but I can't solicit to win these awards."

Mr. McDermott has been inducted into the 2013 Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. What has this honor meant for his career? "It's a great honor. It made me humble to join a great group of trial lawyers. I was number twenty-four. I was surrounded by great lawyers, and I don't know how I got in."

Mr. McDermott's Mentors, Pro Bono Work, Non-Profit Organizations and His Goals

Does Mr. McDermott have a mentor? He had several mentors throughout his career, which include John Binkley, Morris Pfaelzer, Stuart Kadison, and Bill Gray, who later became a federal judge.

Does he handle pro bono work? Mr. McDermott has worked on a number of pro bono cases. He has represented KCTV for fifteen years and many individuals for free. The attorney has also represented music organizations.

Is Mr. McDermott involved with any non-profit organizations? He was one of the founders of the Los Angeles Opera Company and he served on the board of the Los Angeles Music Center Performing Arts Council. Mr. McDermott was chair of the La Quinta Chamber of Commerce and continues to serve on the Board.

Does the Californian have goals? "Professionally, I will continue what I am doing. Personally, I will continue to provide for and support my family."

Please see this article to find out if litigation is right for you: Why Most Attorneys Have No Business Being Litigators: Fifteen Reasons Why You Should Not Be a Litigator