Tom Appler is a well-known and highly respected trial attorney in Northern Virginia, where he has practiced law for more than 40 years. Tom is a fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers and has been active in local and state bar associations throughout his career. He has a diverse civil litigation practice before state and federal trial and appellate courts, with a focus on professional liability defense, commercial and tort litigation, and insurance coverage matters.

In the professional liability area, Tom has extensive experience defending lawyers in malpractice claims and also has represented accountants and real estate and insurance professionals. His commercial litigation practice runs the gamut from general breach of contract, real property and business disputes to more complex federal and state law matters and includes claims of defamation and tortious interference. Tom also regularly addresses coverage issues and litigates related disputes arising from directors’ and officers’, professional errors and omissions, and commercial general liability policies. Earlier in his career, he litigated numerous product liability claims, several of which resulted in published opinions, and handled aviation accident claims as well.

With extensive local litigation experience and strong ties within the Northern Virginia legal community, Tom’s knowledge and insight often is tapped by clients facing complicated or novel issues. He is a past chair and current member of the Boyd-Graves Conference, an organization of lawyers, judges, legislators and law professors that meets annually to review changes and make recommendations regarding civil litigation practice in Virginia.