Michael P. Thomas, Partner of the Firm, focuses his practice on advising and representing clients on complex business issues, especially in dealing with the regulatory environments created by the federal government. He has advised clients on their most sensitive matters, whether buying or selling an entire business, negotiating executive contracts, restructuring significant divisions, or acquiring new assets. Mr. Thomas represents health care providers in all aspects of their business, including contracting with vendors and other providers, financing, acquisitions, Stark and Anti-Kickback compliance, employment law and contracting, HIPAA compliance, and real estate matters. Mr. Thomas spends a significant part of his practice advising employers and human resources professionals, and representing both employers and employees in employment litigation, including trade secrets and non-compete claims and claims based on civil rights laws. In litigation, Mr. Thomas has represented clients at hearings, trials, and appeals across the state and around the country. In addition, Mr. Thomas is a certified NC Superior Court Mediator. Mr. Thomas and his wife, Laura reside in Hickory with their four sons.

Education
  • Princeton University – B.A. 1998
  • Washington and Lee University – J.D. 2001
Admissions/Memberships

ADMISSIONS/APPEARANCES

  • United States Supreme Court
  • Fourth, Sixth, and Eighth Circuit Courts of Appeals
  • North Carolina Federal Courts – Western, Middle, and Eastern Districts
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Western District of North Carolina
  • North Carolina State Courts – Trial Courts, Business Court, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court
  • State Bar of Georgia (Inactive)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

  • North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, Past Board Member
    • Past President, Employment Law Section
    • Past President, Young Lawyers Committee
  • North Carolina Bar Association
    • Member, Section Council, Anti-Trust and Complex Disputes Section
  • Catawba County Bar Association
    • Past President
  • Thirty-Sixth Judicial District Bar Association
    • Past President
  • Federal Bar Association
Recognition/Community

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

  • Law Clerk, Hon. Lacy H. Thornburg, W.D.N.C.
  • Past President, Catawba County Bar Association
  • Past President, 25th Judicial District Bar Association
  • Bar representative, Catawba County Courthouse Expansion Project Committee
  • Member of SHRM – Society for Human Resource Management; Past Secretary of Catawba Valley Chapter
  • Pro Se Settlement Assistance Program, United States District Court for the Western District North Carolina.
  • North Carolina Bar Association
  • North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys
    • Past Chair of the Employment Law Practice Group
    • Past Chair of the Young Lawyers Committee

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • Appointed by Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright to serve on the Bond Implementation Commission
    • Served as Vice-Chair of the City Walk Subcommittee
  • Counsel to the Board of Trustees of Catawba Valley Medical Center
  • Trustee, Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • Board Member, Hickory Day School
  • Board Member, University Christian High School
  • Past President, SALT Block Foundation, Inc., currently Secretary
  • Past President, United Arts Council of Catawba County
  • Member, Hickory Rotary Club
  • Past Congregation Council President, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
  • Graduate of Leadership Catawba (2004-05) and Past Planning Committee Member