Background
Thomas A. Briggs is a Shareholder at Mase Mebane Seitz and has been practicing law with the
firm for over 15 years. Although now a trial attorney in Miami, Florida, Thomas is originally from
Ontario, Canada. He earned his B.A., magna cum laude, from Boston University in 1999, where
as an undergraduate, he was a member of several academic honor societies, in addition to
teaching various athletic courses in the Physical Education Department.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Thomas went on to receive his J.D., cum laude, from
the University of Miami School of Law in 2003. While in law school, Thomas served as a
certified legal intern with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office
for the Southern District of Florida. Thomas also participated in the Helping Others Through Pro
Bono Efforts (H.O.P.E. Project).
Having successfully litigated, tried, arbitrated, and negotiated hundreds of cases in Florida, Tom
brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Mase Mebane Seitz legal team. During his
time with the firm, Mr. Briggs represented a major cruise line when a ship was struck by a large
storm with hurricane force winds and giant waves resulting in injuries to passengers. A class
action suit was brought with passengers alleging the cruise line sent a ship into the path of the
storm. Tom won summary judgment on punitive damages with the court agreeing that the cruise
line did not deliberately put passengers in danger. In another significant case, Mr. Briggs was
able to successfully have class certification denied in a matter involving passengers onboard a
ship which caught fire and was rendered without propulsion for several days. Passengers were
stranded in allegedly squalid conditions. Following a 3-week trial, the plaintiffs, who sought over
$30 million in damages, were awarded a total of only $119,500.
Thomas is a member of the Florida Bar. He is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and
the United States District Court for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida. He is
also admitted to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Thomas is a member of the Dade County
Bar Association, Boston University Alumni Association and the University of Miami Alumni
Association. He is also a volunteer for Cure On Wheels, a non-profit organization, which raises
funds for cancer research.
Education
University of Miami School of Law
J.D., cum laude, 2003
Boston University
B.A., magna cum laude, 1999
Bar Admissions & Certifications
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
Membership & Community Involvement
American Bar Association
Dade County Bar Association
Boston University Alumni Association
University of Miami Alumni Association