Thomas Purcell

Practice Areas

Tom is a civil defense litigator with a specific focus on products liability, premises liability, personal injury, insurance coverage, construction law, and the defense of financial institutions. He currently serves as regional outside counsel for a major retailer, representing its interests in defense of cases across the Northwest. Tom has consistently been recognized by his peers as a Super Lawyer and on the list of Best Lawyers in America.

Education

Tom graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School. Before that, he majored in journalism at the University of Oregon.

Court Admissions

Tom is admitted to practice in both Oregon and Washington, and has been admitted pro hac vice for matters in several other states including California, Michigan, and Louisiana. He has appeared in state and federal courts throughout the Northwest, as well as the Oregon Court of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Professional Recognition and Affiliations

Tom was selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. That distinction recognizes the top 2.5% of attorneys under 40 in each state, as chosen by their peers. Tom was also selected by his peers to the Best Lawyers in America list in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 for the field of Commercial Litigation.

Tom is a member of the Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (“OADC”) (currently Chair of the Products Liability Section), the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (“WDTL”), and the Defense Research Institute (“DRI”). Tom actively participates in local bar activities, and is currently serving on the board of directors for the St. Andrew Legal Clinic (former President) and on the committee for the Clinic’s annual Taste for Justice auction.

Publications

“Assigning Claims Against an Insurer: The Evolution of the Stubblefield Rule in Oregon,” The Verdict, 2013 – Issue 3.
“Miller v. Agripac: From Allegation to Allocation – How the Recent Decision Impacts Oregon’s Comparative Negligence Scheme,” The Verdict, 2023 – Issue 3 (and presented on this case at OADC’s 2023 Annual Meeting)
“Moody Blues? The Oregon Supreme Court’s Recent Insurance Coverage Ruling May Not be as Far-Reaching as It Seems,” The Verdict, 2024 – Issue 1
Contributor to the 5th edition of the Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund’s Oregon Statutory Time Limitations publication on “Personal Injury and Property Damage.”

Representative Cases

Currently serves as lead regional defense counsel for a major retailer, supervising defense of general liability claims against that company throughout the Northwest.
For several years has served, along with partner John Knottnerus, as national coordinating counsel to a major vehicle manufacturer for cases and trials around the United States.
Represented manufacturers of recreational and outdoor products, heavy construction equipment, commercial appliances, automobiles, and component parts in various product liability cases throughout Oregon and Washington.
Represented Lloyd’s, London market insurers, or their insureds, in tort, property and coverage matters including construction, pollution, asbestos and torts in Oregon and Washington.
Successfully defended financial institutions in cases alleging violations of the Federal Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Oregon Unlawful Debt Collection Practices Act, and other federal and state laws, in State and Federal Courts throughout Oregon and in the Oregon Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Represented general contractors and subcontractors in various construction-related matters throughout Oregon and Washington.