Tom Watson

TOM WATSON
Of Counsel

If you give Tom a problem, you can expect an unconventional and carefully reasoned solution. He is particularly skilled at stepping back to see the full landscape of a case before isolating a novel or underutilized argument. For thirty-one years, Tom served in multiple roles as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, developing an extraordinarily broad command of federal litigation. His approach to litigation has also shaped the work of the next generation—including his daughter, Mary Watson Smith.

Tom spent the bulk of his career as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Louisiana, serving in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions and ultimately as Chief of the Civil Division for the final decade of his federal service. In the Criminal Division, he

prosecuted matters ranging from immigration and tax offenses to major narcotics conspiracies as a member of the office’s Drug Task Force. In the Civil Division, he defended the United States in a wide range of complex litigation, including employment discrimination cases, Federal Tort Claims Act matters, Bivens actions, FOIA litigation, bankruptcy proceedings, and Qui Tam and False Claims Act cases. He also served as the office’s asset forfeiture and money laundering coordinator and litigated extensively in federal district court and before the United States Fifth Circuit.

For clients and fellow attorneys, Tom offers rare insight into the internal operations of the United States Attorney’s Office and the practical boundaries of federal enforcement authority. He is particularly valuable in complex federal matters involving government investigations, subpoenas, asset forfeiture, civil penalties, and high-stakes litigation against or involving federal agencies. Whether advising strategy, refining arguments, or preparing cases for trial or appeal, Tom brings seasoned judgment, strategic clarity, and credibility earned through decades of federal practice.