Tom Bondurant is a Gentry Locke Partner in the firm’s White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice group. While serving as a Federal Prosecutor for 29 years, Tom tried more than 200 criminal jury trials, many involving complex matters including white collar fraud, tax issues, public corruption, healthcare fraud, regulatory matters and racketeering. At Gentry Locke, Tom represents corporations and individuals in all phases of the criminal process and conducts corporate internal investigations. In 2008, Tom was inducted as a Fellow in the nationally prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. The firm’s White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice and Tom are both ranked in Band 1 by Chambers USA. The qualities on which Chamber rankings are assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client. Band 1 is the highest level ranking.
Tom is admitted to practice in Virginia and the District of Columbia, and is a Fellow with the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Virginia Law Foundation, and the American Bar Foundation. Tom is consistently noted among the Best Lawyers in America for Corporate Compliance Law and White Collar Criminal Defense. He also is regularly recognized as a Virginia Super Lawyer in the areas of Criminal Defense and White Collar Crime.
- States and Canadian Provinces/territories I have visited at least twice
- Rural, mountainous acres I occupy with my phenomenal wife
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What do you most enjoy about your work?
In White Collar Criminal Defense cases, the trial lawyer must understand the industry or business from which the case arises, which means the educational experience keeps you interested and on your toes. I especially enjoy the battle of advancing the client’s position – be it in negotiations, a hearing, or a jury trial.
Education
- University of Richmond School of Law, J.D.
- Emory & Henry College, B.A. cum laude
Experience
- Since entering private practice in October 2009, representation of individuals and corporations on criminal matters in the areas of Racketeering (RICO); Defense Contractor Fraud; Tax Evasion; Foreign Corrupt Practice Act; Espionage Act; Arms Export Control Act; Bribery; Public Corruption; Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (food borne illness and pharmaceutical issues); International Banking Crimes; Money Laundering; Structuring; Healthcare Fraud, Program Fraud; Customs Violations; Insurance Fraud; Mail/Wire Fraud; Mortgage Fraud; Capital Murder; Solicitation to Commit Murder; Counterfeiting; Firearms Offenses; Mine Safety & Health Act Offenses; Narcotics; and Post-Conviction Actions
- Since entering private practice, representation of individuals and corporations on civil matters in the areas of the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (pharmaceutical issues); Internal Revenue Service matters (assessments, abatements); False Claims Act; Non-Compete Litigation; Customs Violations; Federal Chemical Regulatory Issues; Qui Tam actions; Cyber Security/Theft matters; Banking; Medical Malpractice; Healthcare Matters; Patent; Insurance Defense; Malicious Prosecution; and Defamation
- Holds Top Secret clearance
- Conducted Internal Investigations in the Banking, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Insurance, Construction, Mortgage, and Salvage Industries
- Admitted Pro Hac Vice to Federal Courts in Montana, Georgia, and New Jersey
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Employed until October 2009 as a Federal Prosecutor for 29 years in the Western District of Virginia. At varying times occupying the duties of Criminal Chief, Senior Litigation Counsel, Coordinator for Anti-Terrorism Advisory Committee and Lead Prosecuting Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force
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Appointed as a Special Prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia, the District of Columbia, the Southern District of West Virginia and the Northern District of West Virginia
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Tried over 200 Jury Trials in United States District Courts and directed thousands of investigations
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Tried Bench Trials in United States Magistrate’s Court
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Argued dozens of appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- Served as a Law Clerk for United States District Judge Glen Williams in Abingdon, Virginia
- Former Editor-in-Chief of the University of Richmond Law Review (1979)
Affiliations
- Member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
- Member, American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section
- Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Past Member, Federal Bar Association (2011-2018)
- Past Director, South County Lacrosse Club
- Past Director, National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys
Admissions
- Washington, D.C. Bar
- Virginia Bar
- Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Western District of Virginia
- Eastern District of Virginia
- Supreme Court of the United States
Awards
- Named a member of the Pro Bono Service Honor Roll by Virginia Access to Justice Commission (2022)
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (inducted 2008), served on State Committee (2011-2016)
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Named Band 1 for White Collar Investigations by Chambers USA (2021-2024)
- Fellow, Virginia Law Foundation (inducted 2015)
- Named in Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Litigators in America list (2022)
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Fellow, American Bar Foundation (inducted 2018)
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Recipient, Emory & Henry College Distinguished Achievement Award (2017)
- Named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers list (2014)
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Recipient, Department of Justice Director’s Award
- Recipient, numerous Commendations from the Department of Justice; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Internal Revenue Service; Mine Safety & Health Administration; Department of Transportation; Social Security Administration; Department of Agriculture; Department of Labor; and, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America for Corporate Compliance Law and Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2011-2025), listed in “Best Lawyers in America Business Edition” for Corporate Compliance Law and Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2017)
- Named “2012 Roanoke Criminal Defense White-Collar Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America, listed for Corporate Compliance Law and Criminal Defense/White-Collar (2011-2021)
- Listed as a Top Rated Attorney for Criminal Defense/White Collar by American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell (2012 & 2013)
- Designated one of the “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business magazine for Criminal Law (2010, 2012-2013, 2015-2020, 2022-2023) and for Criminal & Government Investigations (2021)
- Named to Virginia Super Lawyers in the area of Criminal Defense: White Collar (2013-2024) and Super Lawyers Business Edition US in the area of Criminal Defense: White Collar (2013-2014)
- Named a “Legal Eagle” for Criminal Defense: White Collar by Virginia Living magazine (2012)
Published Work
- Co-Author, Internet Theft from Business Bank Accounts – Who Bears the Risk?; VADA Journal of Civil Litigation, Vol. XXIII, No. 4 (Winter 2011-2012)
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