Overview

Thomas K. Johnson II partners with employers to ensure their executive leadership teams and broader workforce are firing on all cylinders. He delivers mission-critical compliance counsel to help companies effectively address day-to-day management issues, including internal investigations and employee discipline and dismissal. Clients also value Tom for his business-minded approach to long-range objectives, frequently tapping him for advice on hiring and other workplace best practices as well as training for employees at all levels.

In addition to his shrewd advisory capabilities, Tom is a seasoned litigator. He brings to bear more than two decades of experience defending employers in state and federal courts. And he is particularly skilled in navigating claims of discrimination, wage-and-hour violations and breach of contract. Tom also helps employers favorably resolve noncompete and trade secret disputes.

For his entire career, Tom has also advised banks, trust companies, nonprofit organizations and individuals in connection with trusts, estates, guardianships and related fiduciary matters. He has regularly represented parties in fiduciary litigation in the Orphans’ Court Division of the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas including disputes over trust and estate administration, accountings, will contests, and guardianships.

Prior Experience

Before joining Faegre Drinker, Tom served as a partner in the Philadelphia office of an international law firm. During his tenure, he represented clients in all manner of employment, complex commercial and fiduciary suits.

Personal Interests

Tom is a native of Pennsylvania and, when not helping clients, he enjoys studying Pennsylvania history and folk art — especially Pennsylvania German fraktur — and trying new recipes in the kitchen.

Analyzing the Impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision to End Affirmative Action
Analyzing the Impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision to End Affirmative Action

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Pennsylvania

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Education

Vanderbilt University Law School
J.D. Order of the Coif, Vanderbilt Law Review (articles editor) (1999)

Georgetown University
M.A. in Philosophy, with a bioethics concentration (1995)

Davidson College
A.B. (1992)

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives
  • Dissecting challenges to employers’ diversity programs
    Indiana Employment Law Letter, September 1, 2023
    Great Lakes Employment Law Letter, Vol. 4, No. 9, September 2023
  • Employee Privacy Laws: Pennsylvania
    Author, Practical Law Labor & Employment, January 27, 2020
  • Protecting Your Trade Secrets Before it's Too Late
    Speaker, Association of Corporate Counsel Greater New York Chapter, September 18, 2013
  • Minding Your Ps and Qs: Privilege and Questions for the In-House Attorney
    Speaker, Association of Corporate Counsel Greater New York Chapter's “Ethics Marathon — Ethics in Action” Seminar, February 17, 2011
  • The Company You Keep: Associational Discrimination
    Author, Employment Law360, October 22, 2008
  • PA Court’s Decisions Burden Surviving Joint Account Holders
    Author, The Legal Intelligencer, June 13, 2008

Firm Blog Contributions

  • LaborSphere – a resource providing coverage and insights on breaking cases, recently enacted legislation and a broad range of labor issues

Leadership & Community

Pro Bono

  • The Woodlands Trust for Historic Preservation, Philadelphia, PA, Board Member
  • The Woodlands Cemetery Company, Philadelphia, PA, Board Member

Honors

  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2021-23
  • Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 1992-93 (Islamic Law and Medicine)
  • Super Lawyers — Rising Star, 2008