Overview

Appellate specialist Thom Hudson has decades of experience with hundreds of appeals in state and federal courts on a broad range of topics, including state and federal constitutional issues, torts, contracts, insurance bad faith, Indian law, and punitive damages. 

Among other things, Thom’s appellate work has helped to secure gaming rights for tribal nations, protect voter registration rights for individuals, protect judges’ pensions rights, safeguard Arizona’s implied home warranty rights, and helped individuals collect millions of dollars in punitive damages resulting from insurance companies’ bad faith. 

During his career, Thom has received the highest ranking possible from all the major ranking organizations, including Chambers USA’s highest rank of Band 1.  He was also inducted into the esteemed American Academy of Appellate Lawyers in 2010. 

Thom has led many efforts to help improve the appellate process.  In addition to chairing the State Bar Appellate Practice Section and serving as a Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representative, he co-authored the monthly column “Appellate Highlights” for the Arizona Attorney magazine for over a decade.  Thom helped found AZAPP.com, Arizona’s first appellate blog.  He facilitated numerous changes to improve the Arizona Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure, and he has written numerous articles on appellate issues for a variety of publications, including the Arizona Attorney and the Journal of Appellate Practice. 

Thom now focuses exclusively on appellate consulting with trial and appellate lawyers, including regularly assisting firm clients with their most challenging appeals.  When attorneys want to know how to win their appeals, they consult with Thom. 

Representative Matters

Awards

  • Chambers USA, “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business”, Litigation: Appellate, 2020-2024
  • Southwest Super Lawyers, Appellate, 2008-2024
  • Best Lawyers®, Appellate Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, 2008-2025
  • Arizona State Bar, President’s Award, 2017
  • Phoenix Best Lawyers®, “Lawyer of the Year”, Appellate Practice, 2015
  • Arizona State Bar Appellate Practice Section, 2003-Present; Member 1999-Present; Civil Practice and Procedural Committee, 1999-2015 

Activities

Professional Activities

  • American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, Fellow, 2010-Present
  • Arizona State Bar Appellate Practice Section, Chair, 2006;  Member 1999-Present; Civil Practice and Procedural Committee, 1999-2015
  • Arizona Appellate Handbook Committee, Member, 2005-2020
  • Appellate Lawyer Representative, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2013-2017
  • Horace Rumpole Inn of Court: President, 2002-2003; Executive Committee, 1996-2005; Member, 1995-2005

Community Activities

  • SunSounds Volunteer Radio Broadcast Reader, 1990-2002
  • Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Alumni Board, 1998-1999

Insights

Publications