R. Tom Hillis has practiced law in Oklahoma for over 30 years. He practices in the areas of commercial law and litigation and employment law. Tom has tried cases in each Federal District in Oklahoma and in numerous counties throughout Oklahoma.
Tom regularly represents business clients in all aspects of commercial and employment law. This includes negotiating and drafting contracts, and maintaining appropriate corporate books and records. He regularly advises clients on regulatory and administrative issues with state and federal agencies. Tom also has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions of businesses.
Tom maintains an active employment practice. He regularly defends employers in jury trials, and before numerous administrative agencies. He regularly speaks on employment related topics at continuing legal education seminars. Tom serves as an Adjunct Settlement Judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma and routinely mediates employment related cases. Tom is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Tom is a member of the American Arbitration Association's Panel of Employment Arbitrators. He is also a member of the AAA Consumer Law Arbitration Panel.
Representative Experience
- Represented client in complex litigation in federal court on claims for negligence, trespass, nuisance, public nuisance, and negligent injury to property regarding environmental contamination from adjacent landowner.
- Advocated for client in a multi-million dollar breach of contract dispute involving a large real estate and business transaction.
- Represented client in a complex contract litigation, prevailing at trial with a large jury verdict in the client’s favor.
- Successfully represented large multi-state convenience store client in premises liability litigation.
- Obtained judgment for employer in employment discrimination and retaliation claims in federal court.
- Drafted multiple agreements and legal documents in complex restructuring of a multitude of parent and subsidiary businesses.
- Advised corporate client in the handling of dissenting shareholders related to the acquisition of another company.
- Evaluated and successfully settled slip and fall claim against property owner for negligible amount.