Thomas K. Hockel
Partner
Tom is a partner and trial attorney with three decades of civil litigation and trial experience in state and federal courts and administrative agencies throughout California. The primary focus of his practice is counseling and representing employers in wrongful termination, sexual harassment, public policy claims, employee discipline, discrimination and retaliation matters, accommodation issues, wage & hour claims, PAGA cases, and employment class actions.
Tom also has extensive experience in general business litigation and representing disability insurance carriers in all phases of breach of contract and first party bad faith litigation throughout California. Tom is highly skilled in oral advocacy and trial practice. He has defended employers in jury trials against some of the best plaintiffs’ attorneys in the country.
Tom was designated as a 2025 “Super Lawyer,” earning recognition as one of the top 5% of attorneys in the state based on a rigorous selection process involving peer nominations, independent research, and evaluations.
Education
- University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento, California
- Juris Doctor, 1994
- Award for Excellence in Oral Advocacy, International Moot Court Competition
- Assisted U.S. Attorney’s Office in defense of ground-breaking sexual harassment case against the Department of Agriculture
- University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California
- Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy 1987, magna cum laude
- Graduate of the Saint Ignatius Institute, a four-year interdisciplinary curriculum providing intensive study of the Great Books, philosophy, history, and theology
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University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck Austria
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Studied at the University of Innsbruck, Austria from 1985 to 1987. All lectures, courses, and examinations were in German.
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Admissions
- Admitted to California Bar, December 1994.
- Admitted to practice in all California state courts, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Court for the Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern Districts of California.
Various Litigation Achievements and Successes
- Published decision in Frayo v. Martin (2024) 102 Cal.App.5th 1025, sustaining the employer’s demurrer to a complaint alleging a violation of the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA). The appellate court held that an employer’s request for the results of a Covid test did not constitute a request for an authorization to release medical information under the CMIA.
- Published decision in Atalla v. Rite Aid Corp. (2023) 89 Cal.App.5th 294, 306 Cal.Rptr.3d 1, holding that supervisor’s conduct was not imputable to the employer in a sexual harassment case where the conduct arose out of a personal relationship.
- Overturned large wrongful termination verdict on appeal and secured more favorable verdict for client on retrial.
- Successfully defended major disability insurer in a six-week bad faith jury trial in state court with a complete defense verdict.
- Assisted in successfully prosecuting restitution counterclaim on behalf of insurer in bad faith case, resulting in a $600,000 judgment against insured.
- Secured a $1,010,000.00 invasion of privacy jury verdict in an action based on invasion of privacy.
- Prosecuted complex First Amendment litigation, including successful constitutional challenge to California’s campaign finance restrictions (Proposition 208).
- Published decision in Fries v. Rite Aid Corp. (2009) 173 Cal.App.4th 182, 92 Cal.Rptr.3d 523 (2009), holding that a defendant who seeks costs after a plaintiff’s voluntary dismissal need not file a proposed judgment in addition to its memorandum of costs.
Personal Interests
- Past President, St. Thomas More Society of San Francisco
- Musician and vocalist
- Enjoys literature, poetry, cooking, and smoking brisket and other assorted BBQ
- Avid fly fisherman and hiking enthusiast
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Marriage preparation leader, Diocese of Oakland
REPResentative Trial Experience
- Jury Trial, March 2018
- Length of trial: 10 days
- Type of case: Employment discrimination
- Venue: Los Angeles Superior Court
- Court trial, November 2015
- Length of trial: One day
- Type of case: Labor Commission Appeal
- Venue: Fresno Superior Court
- Jury trial, November-December 2014
- Length of trial: Three weeks
- Type of case: Employment
- Venue: Los Angeles Superior Court
- Jury trial, June-July 2010
- Length of trial: Four weeks
- Type of case: Employment
- Venue: San Francisco Superior Court
- Jury trial, August –October 2010
- Length of trial: Six weeks
- Type of case: Employment
- Venue: Los Angeles Superior Court
- Arbitration, November 2005
- Length of arbitration: One day
- Type of case: Breach of contract (disability insurance)
- Venue/Mediator: JAMS
- Arbitration, December 2003
- Length of arbitration: One day
- Type of case: Breach of contract/bad faith
- Venue/Mediator: JAMS
- Jury trial, October-November 2002
- Length of trial: Six weeks
- Type of case: Bad faith/breach of contract
- Venue: Santa Clara Superior Court
- Jury trial, September 1999
- Length of trial: Two weeks
- Type of Case: Bad faith/breach of contract; counterclaim for Restitution
- Venue: Northern District of California
- Jury Trial, August 1998
- Length of Trial: Two days
- Type of Case: Invasion of privacy
- Venue: Contra Costa County Superior Court
- Jury Trial, Spring 1997
- Length of Trial: Two Days
- Type of Case: Personal Injury
- Venue: Contra Costa County Superior Court
- Arbitration, Fall 1997
- Length of Arbitration: One Day
- Type of Case: Personal Injury (Premises Liability)
- Venue: Contra Costa Superior Court
- Bench Trial, Summer 1995
- Length of Trial: One Day
- Venue: El Dorado County Superior Court
- Bench Trials 1994-1995
- Length of Trials: 1-2 Days
- Type of Cases: Family law
- Venue: Sacramento County Superior Court
Contact Us
Office Location
Iezza & Hockel, PC
7200 Redwood Blvd., Suite 402
Novato, CA 94945
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