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Thomas Aycock - General Liability

Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, PC
100 Monroe Center NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
tel - 616.774.8000 fax - 616.774.2461 email - taycock@shrr.com
For attorney Tom Aycock, moving to Michigan was always an option that he and his wife, Wendy, a West Michigan native, had considered. When Hurricane Katrina hit their New Orleans home in August 2005 that option became their opportunity to head for higher ground and move closer to Wendy's family.
Now a member of Smith Haughey's Litigation Department, Tom focuses his practice on the areas of corporate insurance litigation and personal civil litigation. He represents international corporations, national and regional insurance companies, and local individuals in areas such as contract law, personal injury disputes, and insurance coverage disputes. He has extensive experience in civil litigation, having participated in numerous jury trials and hundreds of depositions.
“Every client has a unique story to tell and a unique challenge that they are faced with. I work with each of my clients to get to the heart of the problem and then work diligently to acquire a cost-effective resolution in their favor.”
– Tom Aycock
Since joining the firm, Tom has successfully acquired very favorable case evaluation awards for multiple high damage cases on behalf of the firm's clients; and formulated, drafted, and argued numerous summary disposition motions resulting in the dismissal of numerous cases on behalf of clients in the areas of premises liability, breach of contract, and a wide range of insurance claims. In addition, Tom serves as a presenter on the topic of premises liability at Smith Haughey's annual insurance litigation seminars.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Wendy Lappenga, and their daughter, Olivia, as well as fishing, hiking, and volunteering for community organizations which mentor students and support military veterans.
Education
- University of Louisiana Lafayette (B.A., 1998)
- Southern University Law Center (J.D., 2001), Louisiana State Bar Association’s Corporate Law Section Scholarship recipient
Admitted to Practice
- Louisiana State Bar Association, 2001
- State Bar of Michigan, 2006
- U.S. District Court, Eastern/Middle/Western Districts of Louisiana, 2002
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 2004
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2006
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 2006
Previous Professional Experience
- Attorney – Crawford Lewis, PLLC, New Orleans, LA
- Legal Specialist – United States Army
