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Thomas O’Brien returned to Wolff & Samson in 2004 after 10 years with Foster Wheeler Corporation (now Foster Wheeler Ltd.), where he served as general counsel and senior vice president-corporate affairs, and as a member of the company’s executive committee. At Foster Wheeler, Tom managed the company’s worldwide law department – including its asbestos claims and related insurance recovery program – and supervised the Office of Corporate Secretary, Corporate Communications and Government Affairs.

Tom recently served as chairman of the Coalition for Asbestos Reform (CAR), a group he helped form to educate the business community on the impact of congressional initiatives involving asbestos-related litigation. The coalition advocates for the adoption of effective and just legislation, and was recently credited with halting passage of a flawed asbestos trust fund bill in the U.S. Senate.

Prior to his work with Foster Wheeler and CAR, Tom was a member of Wolff & Samson from 1986 - 1993, practicing commercial litigation, casino law, environmental regulatory matters and general business consultation.

Tom served as assistant attorney general for the State of New Jersey and director of the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement under Governor Thomas Kean from 1983 - 1985. In this position, he was responsible for enforcement of New Jersey’s Casino Control Act. The Supreme Court of New Jersey certified Tom as a civil trial attorney and he also served on the Supreme Court’s Committee on Relations with the Media.

Tom is listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Administrative Law and was also listed in New Jersey Super Lawyers. He has an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest ranking of both ethical standards and legal ability that Martindale awards. 

Tom served on active duty with the United States Marine Corps from 1960 - 1965 and was discharged from the Reserves with the rank of major in 1972.