Thomas C. Costello - Towson, MD

Thomas C. Costello Overview

Admitted to practice in 1994, Mr. Costello, an AV rated litigator, began his legal career by representing securities broker-dealers in connection with their employment disputes, customer disputes and regulatory inquiries. Based upon that experience, Tom shifted the focus of his practice to the representation of customers in connection with their claims against investment professionals. He has successfully represented hundreds of individual investors across the United States to resolve their claims. Tom has represented individual investors against firms like Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Wachovia, Wells Fargo, Sun Trust, CIBC Oppenheimer, Charles Schwab, Linsco Private Ledger, Smith Barney/Citigroup and Prudential in addition to many other investment advisory firms, both large and small. He has also litigated claims against insurance, legal and tax professionals. Tom's efforts have resulted in client recoveries well in excess of $15 million.

Tom earned a Legal Master’s Degree in Taxation (LLM) with a Certification in Estate Planning from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Tom has drafted and implemented tax efficient estate plans for high net worth individuals (assets in excess of $15 million) as well as for those individuals with more modest assets who simply want to make sure their family is provided for in the event of a tragedy. Tom is also experienced in representing estates, trusts (both trustees and trust beneficiaries) and heirs in the probate administration process as well as in estate disputes resolved through the court system.

Tom has represented hundreds of sales, medical and accounting professionals in disputes with former employees regarding the application and effect of contractual provisions regarding post-employment activities such as covenants not to compete or solicit and agreements which relate to the use and removal of customer information. Tom has litigated employment disputes in state and federal courts throughout the Mid-Atlantic region as well in arbitration forums such as FINRA, NASD, NYSE, JAMS and AAA. Tom is also experienced in resolving numerous other types of employee disputes and employment severance issues.

Practice Areas

• Securities Litigation
• Estate Planning and Administration
• Employment
• Legal Malpractice

Current Employment Position(s)

• Managing Partner