Attorney Tom Wilmoth (Partner)

Tom Wilmoth joined the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin in 2017 and leads the litigation team that focuses on mass torts, federal multidistrict litigation, and consumer class actions.

Prior to joining the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, Tom practiced corporate complex litigation on the defense side – working in expert witness development in the medical field for product liability cases – for more than 10 years. In his role at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, he especially enjoys the time he gets to spend working with veterans and their families.

The Road Less Travelled

Tom Wilmoth grew up in the small rural town of Dobson, NC — a community where industrial mill jobs were quickly replacing farming jobs, and many kids already knew their future before leaving high school. Tom knew at an early age that he wanted something different out of his life, and he set his sights on a path that would lead him to attend college — and, ultimately, to the practice of law.

But the path was not without a curve or two, and these life lessons strengthened his resolve to do something meaningful and serve those people who need help the most.

The Path to Law

Tom’s family instilled a hard work ethic in him from a young age, and throughout high school, he worked various jobs in the tobacco fields at nearby farms, the grocery store, and at a local diner. Understanding the real value of education, he applied for college scholarships and loans and worked at a grocery store to pay the bills throughout his years at UNC Greensboro.

During his sophomore year, Tom’s father passed away, causing him to step back and reflect on his direction and responsibilities. He switched majors from Music to Political Science and was the first person in his family to earn a college degree. Upon graduation from UNC-G, Tom joined the Greensboro police force and spent the next eight and a half years serving the community as a law enforcement officer. Being a police officer was his introduction to the law, and many of the situations he encountered strengthened his desire to pursue a career as an attorney.

Frustrated at not being able to follow his cases to their conclusions as a police officer, Tom took the next step towards becoming an attorney and enrolled at Elon University School of Law at the age of 30. “I decided that as an attorney, I’d ultimately be able to do more for the community, work cases to their finish, and be a part of the endgame for justice.” Going back to school was “daunting but doable,” and Tom leaned in, worked hard, and earned his J.D. in 2010.

Another Bump in the Road

Tom fully intended to seek a prosecutor position with the District Attorney’s office, but he had to redirect his career path due to a hiring freeze on government jobs. He instead began practicing corporate law, working on the defense side of complex civil litigation and class action suits. While amassing a significant amount of knowledge and experience in many different areas of corporate law, he always missed making a personal connection with clients and seeing firsthand the difference he was making.

Then in 2017, Tom was involved in a serious accident and lost vision in his left eye. He had to relearn everything — how to live, work, and play. Three years later, at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, in a random, unrelated incident, the retina in his other eye detached and he was left completely blind for several weeks. A scary and humbling experience, Tom was at the mercy of everyone. “I really empathize with people who have been injured and have their entire lives altered in a significant way. Many people don’t realize how scary and isolating a serious accident can be.”

The Right Man in the Right Place at the Right Time

Tom ultimately brought his empathy, work ethic, and a passion for being thorough to the litigation team at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin. When it comes to his clients, he aims to explore every possible avenue for success. A former Eagle Scout, he takes the “Be Prepared” motto to heart and researches the angles as he tenaciously pursues positive outcomes for his clients. He enjoys connecting with his clients and treats them with respect, dignity, and fairness — because it’s the right thing to do.

Tom has always called North Carolina home, and he currently lives in Kernersville with his wife and three children. They are an active family that loves to hike, boat, and travel.

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