Thomas Cavalier Email & Phone Number

Detroit, Michigan

As Assistant General Counsel, I work in a wide range of substantive areas. My primary focus is regulatory compliance. Higher education is subject to myriad regulations. Some of those regulatory schemes, like student privacy, athletics, and financial aid, are unique to universities and colleges. Others are common to many industries – these include export controls, environmental health and safety, and website privacy. In these and other regulatory areas, I provide advice on legal issues, consult on compliance programs, develop and advise on policies and/or negotiate with regulatory authorities.I have considerable expertise in Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act. I routinely review records for applicable exemptions. Pre-employment background screening is quickly spreading throughout higher education. I substantially contributed to the university’s background checks policy, participated in its implementation, and regularly advise on its application to specific cases. I have particular experience in the policy and legal implications of using an applicant’s criminal history in the screening process.A large part of my practice is devoted to contract work. I work with many types of commercial contracts. I have negotiated and litigated disputes with vendors. I handle specialized contracts such as employment, personal services, joint program, facility use, and visiting artist agreements. I work extensively with the university’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations in the legal review of gift agreements.I handle litigation in diverse areas, ranging from libel to police use of excessive force to breach of contract cases.

Detroit, Michigan

I specialized in business transactions, counseling and litigation. I drafted and negotiated a wide variety of commercial contracts. I litigated and arbitrated many business disputes, including contract, real estate, fraud, tort, construction, partnership, constitutional and employment cases. My clients included automakers, Tier I auto suppliers, real estate developers, computer service providers, banks, financial advisors, government and the media.• Negotiated, drafted, and analyzed supply, marketing, services, sales, lease, and other agreements for Tier I auto supplier. • Contained damages to a fraction of Tier I auto supplier’s exposure in complex equipment lease trial in bankruptcy court.• Won summary judgment for Tier I auto supplier on major claims in litigation with purchaser of client’s subsidiaries, resulting in favorable settlement.• Built case resulting in $12 million award for stockbrokers in arbitration with prominent securities firm.• Won appeals for State of Michigan establishing constitutionality of tribal-state gaming compacts, prevailing twice in Michigan Supreme Court.• Won summary judgment for LLC members by persuading circuit court that judiciary lacked power to pierce veil of an LLC, the first such ruling in Michigan.• Won appeal affirming summary judgment for large media outlet on multi-million dollar claim for breach of contract to broadcast television program.• Won summary judgment in federal court establishing freedom of speech protection for expression of political views by sounding a vehicle horn during a demonstration on a public sidewalk, a case of first impression in U.S.

San Francisco, California

Commercial, intellectual property and insurance litigation

Detroit. Michigan

Defended products liability, breach of warranty and employment litigation against major corporations in diverse industries such as chemical. steel and auto manufacturing

Detroit, Michigan

Researched and drafted dozens of appellate opinions.

Doctor Of Law (J.D.)

Activities and Societies: Articles Editor, University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Philosophy

Activities and Societies: Teaching Fellow

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Philosophy, Graduated With Great Distinction

Activities and Societies: Phi Beta Kappa