Thomas F.A. Hetherington

Thomas F.A. Hetherington is a founding partner of McDowell Hetherington LLP and a prominent trial attorney based in Houston. With a national litigation practice, he is often chosen as lead counsel in high-value, complex disputes involving commercial, securities, energy, and insurance litigation. He has represented some of the country’s largest corporations in state and federal courts across the country.

Thomas earned his Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center in 1998 and his Bachelor of Arts in Managerial Studies from Rice University in 1995. His academic excellence laid the foundation for a career defined by legal strategy, litigation success, and client trust.

Thomas’s wide-ranging practice includes shareholder and partnership disputes, ERISA claims, FINRA arbitrations, product liability, and catastrophic personal injury litigation. He is particularly skilled in class and mass actions, often replacing “Big Law” firms as lead counsel. His courtroom experience spans nearly every state, and he is admitted to numerous federal appellate and district courts, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court.

Highly regarded by peers and clients, Thomas has earned repeated recognition in The Best Lawyers in America (2025–2026) and Legal 500 – US Elite for Business Disputes. He has been named a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star eight times and was recognized as a Top Attorney in Houston by H-Texas Magazine. Before co-founding his current firm in 2009, he was a partner at Bracewell & Giuliani LLP.

Committed to legal education and community service, Thomas F.A. Hetherington has served as President of the University of Houston Law Alumni Association and Law Foundation. A Rice University alumnus and former football team captain, he continues to support Rice Athletics and alumni initiatives with dedication.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, McDowell Hetherington LLP
• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Member, Colorado Bar Association
• Member, Oklahoma Bar Association
• Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation

Licensed State

• Texas
• Colorado
• Oklahoma

Education

• University of Houston Law Center
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Rice University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges