Thomas P. Brandt

Director

Thomas Brandt serves as head of the local government and employment law section at Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C. One of the firm’s members since 1992, Tom is an “AV” rated lawyer – the highest rating awarded by Martindale Hubbell – and has been listed in the Texas Super Lawyers list by Texas Monthly magazine.

Tom’s practice includes representation of cities, counties, school districts, public officials and private sector clients in the areas of civil rights and employment law and has included significant cases at every level of the state and federal courts, including numerous cases before the appellate courts, the Texas Supreme Court, and even the United States Supreme Court.

In addition to his active litigation practice, Tom also performs general counsel services for several local government entities and private businesses and has been chosen to perform high-profile public integrity investigations. On two separate occasions, Tom was hired by a major city in the Metroplex to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by that city’s police chief.

His legal career started as a Dallas prosecutor handling hundreds of cases. Quickly promoted to the federal litigation section of the Dallas City Attorney’s office, Tom handled numerous trials and appeals in federal court involving a wide variety of civil rights cases, including excessive force, false arrest, race discrimination, class actions and constitutional challenges to the City’s sexually-oriented business ordinance. He assisted in the preparation of briefs and the presentation of oral argument before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case of FW/PBS, Inc. v. City of Dallas, 493 U.S. 215 (1990).

Tom has been a leader in the legal profession for many years. He has served in every leadership post in the Dallas Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, including that of President from 1997-1998. Under his guidance, the Dallas Chapter received national recognition for its outstanding programs and activities. An active leader in the St. Thomas More Society, Tom has served as a board member since the late 1990s and as President from 1999-2001. A 1985 graduate with a joint degree (J.D./M.P.A.) from the University of Texas Law School and the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, Tom was awarded a prestigious Rotary Foundation Scholarship in 1988 to study international and comparative law in New Zealand.

Married since 1986, Tom and his wife Mary have six children, whose activities keep them experts at scheduling and logistics.

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