“Growing up with a father who was a trial lawyer inspired me to pursue trial practice. I discovered very early on in my career that I identified more with plaintiffs than I did with the big corporations and insurance companies. This led me to make the very difficult decision to leave my father’s firm and pursue a career representing plaintiffs. I believe that this was the best decision that I have made in my career.”
— Thomas P. Giuffra
Thomas P. Giuffra is an internationally recognized trial attorney and a partner at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP, one of New York’s preeminent plaintiff’s litigation firms. Over the course of a distinguished three-decade career, Tom has established himself as one of the most accomplished civil trial lawyers in the country, with a particular focus on representing survivors of sexual abuse and sex trafficking and individuals who have suffered severe, life-altering injuries due to negligence, malpractice, and institutional failure.
Tom has recovered over $250 million on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse and sex trafficking, including a largest single sex trafficking settlement of $14 million. His civil sexual abuse practice has placed him at the center of some of the most consequential cases in the nation, including representation of survivors of Harvey Weinstein, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, and Dr. Darius Paduch. He has also represented survivors of doctor sexual abuse, institutional abuse, clergy abuse, and abuse in educational settings.
Beyond his sexual abuse practice, Tom has secured landmark results across a range of catastrophic injury cases. His trial record includes over 20 verdicts and numerous settlements in excess of one million dollars, including a record-setting $58 million verdict in a lead paint poisoning case—the largest lead paint verdict in New York State history. Additionally, Tom holds the third largest lead poisoning verdict in New York State history. Tom has had one of the largest verdicts in New York State every year from 2008 to 2018, as reported by the New York Law Journal, and one of the largest verdicts in the United States in 2008, 2013, and 2018, as reported by the National Law Journal.
Tom earned his reputation early, obtaining his first million-dollar verdict just four years after graduating from law school. He is widely regarded as one of the youngest trial lawyers in New York to amass such a record of success at trial.
Primary Practice Areas
Tom leads the firm’s Sexual Abuse and Civil Litigation Department, representing survivors of sexual abuse, assault, and trafficking in high-profile civil cases against powerful individuals and the institutions that enable them. His approach is grounded in trauma-informed advocacy—working alongside a psychotherapist to ensure that each client is treated with dignity, compassion, and care throughout the legal process. Tom has represented survivors in cases involving:
- Entertainment industry figures, including survivors of Harvey Weinstein and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs
- Medical professionals, including Dr. Darius Paduch and Dr. Robert Hadden
- Clergy abuse and Diocese of Syracuse litigation
- Institutional abuse in schools, daycare facilities, and foster care systems
- Workplace sexual harassment and gender-motivated violence
Severe Tort & Catastrophic Injury Litigation
Tom has extensive experience trying complex tort cases involving catastrophic injuries, including:
- Lead paint poisoning ($58 million landmark verdict, $21 million verdict)
- Traumatic brain injuries and birth trauma
- Medical malpractice (cancer misdiagnosis, surgical errors, hospital negligence)
- Construction accidents and labor law violations
- Product liability
- Premises liability and civil rights violations
- Maritime accidents and toxic torts
- Significant personal injury matters
Trial Philosophy
Tom’s philosophy as a trial lawyer is built on the principle that every case should be prepared as if it is going to trial. This approach—combining meticulous investigation, forensic precision, and a deep commitment to each client’s story—produces stronger negotiating leverage and better results, whether a case resolves via negotiation or before a jury. For survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking, Tom brings a particular sensitivity to the process, ensuring that clients are supported at every stage and that their voices are heard.
Professional Honors & Accolades
Advocate, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
In 2015, Tom was inducted as an Advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates—the organization’s highest rank, requiring lead counsel experience in a minimum of fifty jury trials to verdict. Fewer than 125 attorneys in New York have qualified for ABOTA membership, and only 28 New York City lawyers hold the Advocate rank.
Fellow, International Society of Barristers
Tom was elected a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers, a membership limited to fewer than 700 lawyers worldwide selected by peers and judges as “outstanding in the field of advocacy.”
Barrister, Order of Centurions
Tom holds the rank of Barrister in the Order of Centurions, reserved for attorneys who have tried 100 or more jury trials to verdict.
New York Law Journal Verdict Hall of Fame
In 2014, the New York Law Journal selected four of Tom’s verdicts for its Malpractice Verdict & Settlements Hall of Fame. In 2016, six of Tom’s verdicts were selected for the Verdict Hall of Fame. In 2015 and 2016, the New York Law Journal presented him with an award for obtaining one of the top 20 verdicts in New York.
Additional Honors
- Associate Justice of the Village of Scarsdale, 2024–Present
- NY State Magistrates Association, 2024
- Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2021
- National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyer – Top 50 Verdict in the United States
- National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers in New York, 2011–Present
- Irish Voice – Irish Legal Top 100, 2017 & 2018
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, 2019–2021
- Best Lawyers in America, 2019–2021
- Lawyer Monthly – Maritime Accidents Lawyer of the Year, 2016
- Six verdicts in NYLJ Verdict & Settlements Hall of Fame, 2016
- NYLJ Verdict Hall of Fame Top 20 Verdict Award, 2015 & 2016
- Four verdicts in Malpractice Verdict & Settlements Hall of Fame, NYLJ, 2014
- National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys – Top 10 NY Attorney, 2013 & 2016
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel – Nation’s Top 100 Attorney, 2014
- Life Fellow, American Bar Foundation, 2013
- Top 100 New York Metro Super Lawyers, 2012–Present
- New York Metro Super Lawyers (Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice), 2008–Present
- A/V Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell (Highest Possible Rating), 2011–Present
- National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Trial Advocacy Skills Diploma, 2004
- Rated “Superb” by AVVO Attorney Rating Service
Notable Case Results
Sexual Abuse & Sex Trafficking
- $250 Million+ recovered for survivors of sexual abuse and sex trafficking
- $14 Million settlement – Largest single sex trafficking case settlement
- Lead counsel for survivors in civil cases against Harvey Weinstein, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, and Dr. Darius Paduch
Catastrophic Injury & Medical Malpractice
- $58 Million verdict – Lead paint poisoning (largest lead paint verdict in New York State history)
- $21 Million verdict – Three children with brain damage from lead poisoning
- $20 Million verdict – Infant traumatic brain injury
- $11 Million verdict – Child brain damage from lead poisoning
- $9 Million verdict – Traumatic brain injury in motor vehicle accident
- $6.1 Million verdict – Hepatitis C transmission from improper Propofol use
- $4.194 Million verdict – Failure to diagnose lung cancer
- $3.25 Million verdict – Failure to treat MRSA
- $2.5 Million verdict – Cancer misdiagnosis
- $2 million settlement – Construction accident due to defective scaffolding
- $2 million settlement – Settlement for a labor law action at an unsafe construction site
Education
St. John’s University School of Law, Jamaica, New York
- J.D., 1994
- Best Advocate, Civil Trial Institute, 1993
- Phi Delta Phi: International Legal Honor Society
- Member, Trial Advocacy Team
Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
- A.B., 1991
- Departmental Honors in History
- Phi Alpha Theta: National History Honor Society
- Dean’s List, 1988–1991
Bar Admissions
- New York, 1995
- New Jersey, 1994
- Utah, 2020
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2009
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit, 1995
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit, 2014
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1995
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 1995
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, 2015
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 1994
- U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut, 1998
- U.S. Court of International Trade, 1995
- U.S. Tax Court, 1995
Professional Associations & Memberships
- Barrister, Order of Centurions (100+ jury trials to verdict)
- Advocate, Order of Certus
- NY State Magistrates Association, 2024
- Trial Law Institute
- Diversity Law Institute
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, 2006–Present
- John’s University School of Law Alumni Association, Board of Directors, 2018
- New York City Bar Association, Medical Malpractice Committee
- American Association for Justice
- New York State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Maritime Law Association of the United States
- Brooklyn Bar Association
Public Service
- Associate Justice of the Village of Scarsdale, 2024–Present
Select Media Mentions & Press Coverage
Sean “P. Diddy” Combs Litigation
- “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sued By 3 More Men Claiming Rape: Here Are All The Major Allegations Against Him” Forbes, December 12, 2024
- “Sean Combs Sued by Three More Men Claiming Sexual Assault” Rolling Stone, December 12, 2024
- “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of sexually assaulting 3 men in new lawsuits” MSN, December 12, 2024
- “Sean “Diddy” Combs Raped Us, Trio Of Men Claim In Latest Lawsuits Against Bad Boy Records Founder; “Full Of Lies,” Defense Insists” Deadline, December 12, 2024
- “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of sexually assaulting 3 men in new lawsuits” ABC News, December 12, 2024
- “3 men say in lawsuits that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs drugged and sexually assaulted them” AP News, December 12, 2024
- “Three men accuse Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of drugging and raping them in new lawsuits” The Independent, December 12, 2024
- “Man alleges that Sean Combs drugged and raped him during a meeting at a New York hotel” NBC News, December 12, 2024
- “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of drugging and raping three men in lawsuits” The Guardian, December 12, 2024
Dr. Darius Paduch Sexual Abuse Litigation
- “A star urologist preyed on men and boys. Why didn’t his hospitals stop the abuse?” NBC News, November 23, 2024
- “Long Island Urologist Faces Trial and Civil Suits,” Newsday, April 22, 2024
Harvey Weinstein Litigation
- “New York Attorney General Approved Harvey Weinstein Deal Under Which He Wouldn’t Pay His Victims A Penny – Despite Vowing Not To,” Daily Mail, October 30, 2020
- “Latest Harvey Weinstein Proposed Settlement Slammed As Sellout By Victims’ Lawyers; Jailed Producer Lacks Financial Liberty Attorney Says – Update,” Deadline, September 1, 2020
- “Weinstein Wants Bankruptcy Court to Take Over Rejected Sexual Misconduct Settlement,” The Hollywood Reporter, July 28, 2020
- “Weinstein Accusers Say Insurance Settlement Is a ‘Cruel Hoax’,” Variety, July 13, 2020
- “Weinstein Class Action Settlement Challenged as “Unjust and Vile” as Multiple Accusers Object,” The Hollywood Reporter, July 13, 2020
- “Former Harvey Weinstein Producer Derides Proposed Settlement As Unfair,” Bloomberg, December 12, 2019
- “Outrage Over Harvey Weinstein Sex Abuse Settlement Offer: Too Little Money For Victims, Too Much For Attorneys And Harvey,” CNBC, December 12, 2019
- “Weinstein Accuser Allegedly Bullied Into Accepting Settlement,” Vulture, December 12, 2019
- “Weinstein Accuser Pushes Back On Proposed $25 Million Settlement,” Reuters, December 12, 2019
- “Attorney General Letitia James ‘Working For Harvey Weinstein’ By Agreeing To Global Settlement, Attorney Says,” New York Daily News, December 12, 2019
- “Harvey Weinstein, Ex-Associates, Accusers Reach Tentative $47 Million Settlement,” The Wall Street Journal, December 11, 2019
- “Weinstein Settlement Would Give His Lawyers Millions,” The Daily Beast, October 25, 2019
Clergy & Institutional Abuse
- “A Tidal Wave of Sex-Abuse Claims Hits NY as Loophole Closes” Daily Beast, October 20, 2023
- “LI Priest Molested Me, Now Church is Trying to Keep Me Quiet, Lawsuit Says”
- “Sex Abuse Lawyer Decries Diocese of Syracuse Bankruptcy,” PR Newswire, June 19, 2020
Expert Commentary & Profile Features
- “Lawyer Limelight: Thomas Giuffra” – Lawdragon (April 2020)
- Expert legal commentator on “Primetime Justice” and “Court TV Live”
- Featured in Dutch documentary “Claiming Justice” on U.S. personal injury litigation
