Thomas M. "Tom" Amon
- Partner
My admin
- Hallie Miller
It's important for me to look beyond what’s on paper in a legal case. I spend time with my clients and get a good sense of their perspectives and goals, the cast of characters involved in an issue and all the dynamics at play. I dive in, taking a close look at the underlying facts to determine how a controversy developed, our options for resolving it and the optimal path to resolution.
Seasoned litigator Tom Amon specializes in complex commercial disputes, with an emphasis on class action defense, toxic torts and real property litigation. Tom represents large and small companies in a variety of Michigan-based cases, including mass tort, contract, construction, condemnation, real estate, environmental, shareholder actions, discrimination and civil RICO claims.
industries
practices
Mass Tort, Environmental and Class Actions
- In re Nylaan Litigation (Kent County Circuit Court, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2017). Counsel in consolidated litigation involving over 250 families alleging PFAS exposure from potential groundwater contamination. Defeated dispositive motion on public nuisance liability, as well as multiple motions related to far-reaching discovery, including back-up tapes. Manage and implement discovery and motion practice for the four bellwether cases as well as the full inventory of over 250 cases.
- Debski v. Wolverine World Wide, Inc. and 3M Company (Kent County Circuit Court, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2018). Counsel in bellwether case involving potential groundwater contamination. Primary drafter of
Mass Tort, Environmental and Class Actions
- In re Nylaan Litigation (Kent County Circuit Court, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2017). Counsel in consolidated litigation involving over 250 families alleging PFAS exposure from potential groundwater contamination. Defeated dispositive motion on public nuisance liability, as well as multiple motions related to far-reaching discovery, including back-up tapes. Manage and implement discovery and motion practice for the four bellwether cases as well as the full inventory of over 250 cases.
- Debski v. Wolverine World Wide, Inc. and 3M Company (Kent County Circuit Court, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2018). Counsel in bellwether case involving potential groundwater contamination. Primary drafter of briefing that resulted in summary disposition of all claims.
- McNaughton v. Wolverine World Wide, Inc. and 3M Company (Kent County Circuit Court, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2017). Pretrial counsel and trial team member in bellwether case involving potential groundwater contamination. Obtained summary disposition on multiple claims prior to trial, including personal injury (elevated high cholesterol and miscarriage), medical monitoring, battery, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and ultra-hazardous activity.
- Hula, et al. v. Wolverine World Wide, Inc. and 3M Company (Kent County Circuit Court, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2017). Counsel in litigation involving potential groundwater contamination. Defeated motion that would designate subject plaintiffs as a bellwether case.
- Zimmerman, et al. v. The 3M Company and Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (Western District of Michigan 2017). Member of defense team for Wolverine World Wide, Inc. in putative class action related to potential groundwater contamination from historical tannery operations. Defeated motion that would have removed action to Multidistrict Litigation panel.
- Dykehouse, et al. v. The 3M Company and Georgia-Pacific LLC (Western District of Michigan 2018). Member of defense team for Georgia-Pacific LLC in putative class action related to potential groundwater contamination arising from historical paper mill operations.
- Kevin Nicholl et al. v Talmer Bancorp, Inc. et al. (Oakland County Circuit Court 2016). Member of defense team in shareholder class action arising from corporate merger. Obtained dismissal of one party to the merger as lead counsel, and assisted as local counsel in obtaining summary disposition for the remaining defendants.
- Tillman Industrial Properties LLC et al. v. Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company (Kent County Circuit Court, 2013) Defeated class certification in a case action asserting racial discrimination in lending practices, and obtained summary dismissal of subsequent individual actions filed after the order denying certification.
Commercial, Real Estate Litigation, and Tax Appeals
- Schoenherr Road (FJ) Associates, LLC v. Family Fare, LLC (Eastern District of Michigan, 2017) Obtained favorable settlement of a large lease dispute after successfully pursuing order to strike plaintiff’s damages experts.
- Dawn Bachi-Reffitt v. Reffitt et. al. (Western District of Michigan 2017). Defended of a number of claims (including civil RICO claims), obtaining summary dismissal of all claims at the pleadings stage and sanctions, and successfully defended those orders on appeal before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- LJ&S Development LLC v. Boar’s Head Provisions Company (Ottawa County Circuit Court, 2013). Won summary judgment in multimillion dollar lease dispute involving attempt to exercise option to purchase, with attorney fee award. Successfully defended those rulings before the Michigan Court of Appeals.
- Hudsonville Creamery & Ice Cream Company, LLC v. Michigan Dept. of Treasury, (Michigan Tax Tribunal, 2013). Obtained reversal of tax tribunal ruling in the Michigan Court of Appeals, with client awarded approximately $500,000 in tax refunds.
- Whirlpool Corporation v China Pacific Insurance Company (Western District of Michigan, 2011). Obtained judgment in federal court that Chinese insurance company was obligated to defend major American manufacturer in products liability action arising out of a Chinese-supplied component part.
Other Matters
- Experience in condemnation litigation, with a deep knowledge of Michigan condemnation law.
- Represents taxpayers and municipalities in property tax valuation appeals.
- Regularly provides risk assessment and strategic counseling, and represents clients in mediation, settlement negotiations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
- Represents major financial institutions in real estate litigation and defense of claims arising from foreclosures.
- Represented major nationwide retailer in Landlord default and lease dispute matters for all of its leased locations in the U.S.
- Has sought and obtained numerous special land use, variance, rezoning and other municipal real estate approvals.
- Represents commercial landlords and tenants in all aspects of dispute processing and litigation, including defaults, evictions and property damage claims.
- “Testing Issues and Consumer Protection,” State Bar of Michigan Cannabis Law Section: Spring Training 2023, Ann Arbor, Michigan, April 20, 2023
- “Real Property Option Contracts in Michigan,” 2021Real Property Law Section Virtual Summer Conference, State Bar of Michigan (SBM), July 22-23, 2021
- Protecting Yourself Against Consumer and Visitor Claims During COVID-19, Warner Webinar, May 21, 2020
- “Testing Issues and Consumer Protection,” State Bar of Michigan Cannabis Law Section: Spring Training 2023, Ann Arbor, Michigan, April 20, 2023
- “Real Property Option Contracts in Michigan,” 2021Real Property Law Section Virtual Summer Conference, State Bar of Michigan (SBM), July 22-23, 2021
- Protecting Yourself Against Consumer and Visitor Claims During COVID-19, Warner Webinar, May 21, 2020
- What’s Next? How Landlords, Tenants and Lenders are Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic, Warner Webinar, April 29, 2020
- Coronavirus Litigation Trends: What We’re Seeing and What to Expect, Warner Webinar, April 21, 2020
- Class Action Lawsuits, 2019 Annual Meeting and Conference of Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, June 21, 2019, Bellaire, Michigan
- Roundtable discussion leader, 2016 Summer Conference & Annual Meeting, State Bar of Michigan (SBM) Real Property Law Section Conference, July 12-16, 2016, Boyne Falls, Michigan
- Vacating public right of ways in Michigan, 2016 Annual Meeting of the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors, February 18, 2016, Kalamazoo, Michigan
watch my videos
- Class Action Litigation: Know the Trends, Be PreparedIn the Know: Warner's Litigation Spotlight
- Cannabis Businesses + Municipalities: What You Need to KnowWarner’s Legal News For the Cannabis Industry
- State Bar of Michigan Cannabis Law Section: Spring Training 2023
- Cannabis Law Seminar – Industry Insights and Trends From the Legal Perspective
- Webinar: Protecting Yourself Against Consumer and Visitor Claims During COVID-19
- Webinar: What’s Next? How Landlords, Tenants and Lenders are Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Webinar: Coronavirus Litigation Trends: What We’re Seeing and What to Expect
- Warner Represents Macatawa Bank Corporation in Its Pending Merger with Wintrust Financial Corporation
- 66 Warner Attorneys Named Top Lawyers by Grand Rapids Magazine
- Warner Attorneys Selected for Multiple Honors by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- 18 Warner Attorneys Named to Rising Stars List by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- 51 Warner Attorneys Rated 2022 Top Lawyers by Grand Rapids Magazine
- 19 Warner Attorneys Named to Rising Stars List by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- Warner Names Two Attorneys as Partners
- IJGlobal Names Gordie Howe International Bridge 2018 Deal of the Year
- Gordie Howe International Bridge Named Canadian Deal of the Year by Lexpert® in its Top 10 Deals of 2018
- Gordie Howe International Bridge Named PFI’s 2018 Transport Deal of the Year
- Warner Serves as U.S. Counsel to Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority on Historic Agreement for Gordie Howe International Bridge
- 26 Warner Attorneys Recognized as Rising Stars
- This is Not a Tax Bill … Yet
- Class Action Litigation: Know the Trends, Be Prepared
- Warner Partner Tom Amon Pens GRBJ Article on Class Action Lawsuits
- Congress Passes Bill Limiting Mandatory Arbitration and Class Action Waivers in Sexual Abuse and Harassment Cases
- Now Is the Time To Review Your Property Tax Assessments
- Cannabis Businesses + Municipalities: What You Need to Know
- CDC Order Renews Moratorium on Residential Evictions
- COVID-19 Class Actions are Contagious
- New Administrative Order Provides Guidance on Eviction Procedures to MI Landlords and Tenants
- Tom Amon Writes About Lease Defaults and Litigation are Expected to Rise in the Wake of COVID-19 for the Grand Rapids Business Journal
- Lease Defaults and Litigation are Expected to Rise in the Wake of COVID-19
- COVID-19 Class Action Litigation Is On the Rise
- What You Need to Know About Appealing Your Property Tax Assessments
- “Recreational pot leads to questions of first impression — and legal headaches,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, 3/13/20
- “Avoiding pitfalls when exercising options,” Real Property Law Section E-Newsletter, November 2019
- “Appealing property tax assessments requires attention to the details,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, 1/27/17
- Strolling the Beach of Uncertainty: the Case for Legislative Action in the Wake of Glass v. Goeckel, 53 Wa
- “Recreational pot leads to questions of first impression — and legal headaches,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, 3/13/20
- “Avoiding pitfalls when exercising options,” Real Property Law Section E-Newsletter, November 2019
- “Appealing property tax assessments requires attention to the details,” Grand Rapids Business Journal, 1/27/17
- Strolling the Beach of Uncertainty: the Case for Legislative Action in the Wake of Glass v. Goeckel, 53 Wayne L. Rev. 715, 2007
- Riparian Rights, LexisNexis Practice Guide: Michigan Real Estate Litigation, Chapter Author (2016-19)