Thomas Eastmond is an attorney based in Sanders Roberts LLP’s Los Angeles office, where he focuses on business and employment litigation, real estate transactions, corporate governance, and counsel to emerging companies. Having worked as both a litigation and transactional attorney, he is able to advise clients in structuring complex deals and drafting documents with an experienced eye for the pitfalls and precautions that can make a difference in either avoiding or prevailing in litigation, and litigate high-stakes matters with a disciplined awareness of the costs and benefits of the strategy and tactics best deployed in each case.
 

Mr. Eastmond has a broad range of experience including corporate, commercial and real estate litigation in state and federal courts, and providing counsel to clients in connection with major real estate development projects and contract negotiations. Recent representative matters include:

  • Lead counsel in an arbitration proceeding between shareholders of entities controlling a large Temecula wine country agricultural property, winning complete victory in first arbitration phase followed by settlement by which client obtained greater relief than originally sought
  • Briefed and argued a First Amendment appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, obtaining reversal of judgment as to injunctive relief claim in a published opinion
  • Obtained a critical injunction in a dispute involving assets of a major hotel developer, preventing competing claimants from disposing of critical assets and enabling favorable settlement
  • Advised large Southern California auto dealership group in complex matter involving interlocking real estate leases, options and multiple litigation matters
  • Advised real estate developer of multi-site, multi-use project on complicated issue of allocating responsibility for off-site improvements
  • Advised education support business regarding the application of force majeure clauses to cancellations due to COVID-19 restrictions
 

Prior to joining Sanders Roberts LLP, Mr. Eastmond worked for the Newport Beach office of Holland & Knight LLP, and prior to that at Best Best & Krieger LLP, of one of California’s preeminent public entity law firms, where he practiced land use, litigation and bankruptcy law. In particular, his experience representing public agencies informs his current practice assisting clients in obtaining and if necessary litigating land use and regulatory approvals. Mr. Eastmond has represented bankruptcy trustees and creditors in proceedings to avoid preferences and fraudulent transfers and assisted with Chapter 11 bankruptcy plans. He also has extensive experience in construction law, including thorough familiarity with licensing, mechanic’s liens, stop notices, and delay and interference claims.


In addition, Mr. Eastmond has been extensively involved in providing pro bono representation to service families in family law and personal financial matters. He is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court and has handled multiple First Amendment matters both on behalf of amici curiae to the court and party litigants. He is a co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer to Dreamstar Lines, Inc., a transportation tech startup company. He lives with his family in Newport Beach, California, where he enjoys surfing, kayaking, horseback riding, and writing.

Education
  • University of Southern California Gould School of Law, J.D.
  • Brigham Young University, B.A.
Admissions
  • California
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Memberships
  • Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal, University of Southern California Gould School of Law
  • City of Newport Beach Environmental Quality Advisory Committee, 2003-2004
Honors & Awards
  • Top Plaintiffs’ Verdicts by Impact, Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2014