Thomas M. Benjamin

Thomas M. Benjamin is a partner in the New Orleans office, where his practice includes complex commercial litigation, class actions and gaming. Mr. Benjamin is ranked as a leading Louisiana lawyer by both Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers for Louisiana and Best Lawyers in America® and is the head of the Firm’s Gaming Section.

Business and Commercial Litigation

Mr. Benjamin has experience in all aspects of litigation including trial, appellate work, and arbitration. He has represented clients in a variety of industries including real estate, financial, energy, manufacturing, transportation and construction. His litigation experience includes disputes involving the following, among others:

• unfair competition and trade practices
• class actions
• contract and lease litigation
• partnership and shareholder disputes
• securities fraud
• product liability
• construction disputes
• copyright infringement
• bankruptcy litigation

Class Actions

Mr. Benjamin has successfully defended corporate clients in class actions in a variety of matters including:

• securities fraud
• defective and recalled products
• billing practices

Gaming 

Mr. Benjamin is the head of the Firm’s Gaming Section and has extensive experience in gaming law including:

• buying and selling of gaming assets including video poker truck stops, gaming routes, and contracts for placement of video gaming devices
• compliance, permitting and regulatory matters including before the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, the Attorney General’s Office, and the State Police
• numerous litigation involving gaming companies including unfair trade practices, breach of sales and other contracts, and partnership disputes

Transactional Matters

Mr. Benjamin has also represented clients in various business related transactions including:

• contracts, joint ventures, and leases
• formations of companies
• the purchase and sale of assets

Mr. Benjamin graduated cum laude from Tulane University School of Law in 1987 where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and the Tulane Moot Court Board. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1983.

Mr. Benjamin is admitted to the Bars of the State of Louisiana, the United States District Courts Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts and the United States Fifth Circuit. Mr. Benjamin is a native of New Orleans. He is the former President and current member of the Board of Governors of the Louisiana Civil Service League and Treasurer and a current member of the Board of Trustees of Metairie Park Country Day School.