Tom Xu is an associate in Tressler’s Orange County office, where he represents and advises insurance companies in complex litigation and coverage matters. Tom is experienced in litigating both first-party and third-party actions, including bad faith claims, coverage disputes, Cumis counsel issues, property damage and personal injury cases with millions of dollars at stake. He has handled and obtained favorable defense results in a wide variety of cases involving general and professional negligence, wrongful death, breach of contract and premises liability. Tom received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School.
Where are you from?
Shenyang, China.
What was your first job?
JusticeCorps in San Francisco.
Do you have any hidden talents and/or unique hobbies?
I can solve a Rubik’s Cube and I play a Japanese board game called Go.
What is on your bucket list?
I want to visit Australia and would like to go skydiving one day.
Why did you decide to become an attorney?
My dad was an attorney and I thought it was a profession that I could also succeed in.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
Most of my days involve analyzing insurance coverage issues, legal research, drafting pleadings and coverage opinions and document review.
Why did you choose your areas of practice?
I’m an analytical person and I enjoy solving complex legal issues that are present in insurance coverage work.
What do you like most about Tressler?
I love the camaraderie here at the Orange County office and how everyone works together like a family.
What are you most proud of, professionally and personally?
Professionally, I’m proud of getting my law review note published in the Vanderbilt Law Review and helping our clients achieve results in cases that exceed their expectations. Personally, I’m proud of making it here in the States as a first-generation Asian American.
Were you involved in any unique programs while in school?
During my senior year of college at UC Berkeley, I worked for JusticeCorps, a statewide service program dedicated to helping pro se litigants with legal paperwork in small claims, civil harassment and family law. The program was comprised of college students who were interested in pursuing a legal career and/or a career in public service. Our San Francisco branch was located inside the San Francisco courthouse on the same floor as the courtrooms and had various attorneys supervising and providing guidance to the student interns. Over the course of the school year, I had the privilege of helping dozens of ordinary people with their legal issues and learned a lot about California law in the process. This internship also gave me a lot of valuable experience and insight into the life of a lawyer and ultimately cemented my decision to go to law school.
If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
An astronaut. I’ve always been fascinated with space and it was a childhood dream of mine.
Do you have a favorite quote?
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius
Tom Xu can be reached at txu@tresslerllp.com. Click here to learn more about Tressler.
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