Thomas Mikula specializes in complex litigation in several areas, including environmental law, toxic torts, insurance coverage disputes, and employee benefits. Mr. Mikula has practiced before state and federal trial and appellate courts, administrative agencies, and other tribunals around the country. He also provides counseling on environmental laws, occupational health laws and product warnings.

Work for Clients

His representative matters include: administrative litigation concerning permitting issues under the Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act and alleged violations of environmental laws; litigation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act; a challenge to EPA regulations banning the manufacture and sale of most asbestos-containing products under the Toxic Substances Control Act; litigation over royalties due under coal leases; representation of defendants in mass products liability litigation and in insurance coverage for those claims; a “whistle blower” action involving RICO, wire fraud, and mail fraud claims in connection with alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Arms Export Control Act; a First Amendment challenge to portions of the 1992 Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act and ERISA litigation.

Professional Activities

Mr. Mikula is a member of the American Bar Association’s Section on Natural Resources and the Environment and Torts and Insurance Practice Section.

Publications/Presentations

He is the co-author of “Legislative and Judicial Efforts to Mandate Parity Between Health Care and Disability Income Benefits for Physical and Mental Illness,” 24 Journal of Pension Planning & Compliance 1 (1998), and “A Bad Case for Mental Health,” Legal Times S36 (Feb. 16, 1998). During law school, Mr. Mikula served as Senior Article Editor for The George Washington Law Review.

Professional Experience

Mr. Mikula was a partner at Shea & Gardner prior to its combination with Goodwin Procter in 2004. Previous to joining Shea & Gardner, Mr. Mikula served as a law clerk to the Honorable Phyllis Kravitch of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Bar and Court Admissions

Mr. Mikula is admitted to the bar of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and various federal courts around the country.

Education

J.D., George Washington University, National Law Center, 1984 (with highest honors)
B.A., University of Notre Dame, 1981 (with honors)