TEL:+1 949.451.4060
FAX:+1 949.475.4707
3161 Michelson Drive Suite 1200, Irvine, CA 92612-4412 USA
Thomas Manakides is a seasoned litigator and trial attorney known for developing innovative strategies to tackle large and complex matters for multinational corporations across several industries, including oil and gas, aerospace, food and agricultural, real estate, and waste. Thomas has extensive courtroom experience in both trial and appellate courts and often advises clients on matters involving mass tort, oil and gas, environmental laws and enforcement, and complex commercial disputes.
Chambers USA 2023 recognized Thomas as a top attorney in Environment-California, noting his “experience in defending companies in high-stakes environmental litigation” and specifically identifying his “particular expertise in matters concerning toxic tort and negligence claims.” He is also recognized in the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Environmental Lawyers guide for his environmental litigation and mass tort practice.
Mass Tort Litigation. Thomas has over 20 years of experience advising and litigating all phases of high-profile mass tort litigation matters across various industries, multiple jurisdictions, and involving a wide-range of alleged sources—from benzene, methane, TCE, and DBCP to odor and noise, to name a few.
Representative matters include
In addition, Thomas was a key member of the Gibson Dunn team, which unearthed a massive attorney-orchestrated fraud emanating from Nicaragua that was imported into California courts. This work culminated in a dismissal with prejudice of several California cases consolidated as Mejia v. Dole Food following a trial exposing the egregious fraud. Thomas also successfully obtained a ruling in Tellez v. Dole Food vacating a jury verdict (obtained prior to Gibson Dunn’s representation of Dole) and following a multi-week trial, the entry of judgment in Dole’s favor based on evidence of fraud on the court and extortion of Dole.
Oil and gas litigation. Thomas is experienced in litigating and taking to trial upstream oil and gas issues. He currently represents Chevron U.S.A. Inc. in ongoing litigation involving negligence, nuisance, and trespass claims by a neighboring oil operator related to cyclic steam operations in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field. Following a jury trial in California state court, the trial court granted Chevron’s motion for a new trial. The matter is currently on appeal.
Environmental Laws and Enforcement. Thomas advises clients on best practices to navigate through a variety of federal, state and local laws and regulations, including issues before the Regional and State Water Boards, South Coast Air Quality Management District, and the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM).
Representative non-confidential matters include
Cost Recovery. Thomas is experienced in litigating disputes over cleanup costs and other damages associated with environmental contamination.
Representative matters include
Appellate Matters. Thomas briefs and argues appellate matters, often in conjunction with the Firm’s appellate practice group, that stem from his trial and administrative work. Most recently, he argued an appeal before the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District involving a challenge to a cleanup and abatement order.
Community Involvement. Thomas sits on the Board of Directors for The Priority Center, which serves at-risk children and families in crisis to prevent and break the generational cycle of child abuse. Thomas is also on the Board of Directors for the Public Law Center, Orange County’s non-profit pro bono law firm that provides access to justice for low-income residents. Thomas currently sits on the PLC’s Executive Committee.
Thomas dedicates significant time to pro bono matters, successfully litigating a number of pro bono matters for clients. Thomas also participated in the Trial Attorney Partnership Program in conjunction with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, gaining valuable jury trial experience.
Education and Background. Thomas received his law degree from the University of Southern California Law School, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif. At USC, he was the Submission Editor for the Southern California Law Review. He graduated magna cum laude from Pepperdine University earning his B.A. degree in Political Science.
Thomas is admitted to practice in the State of California, before the United States District Courts for the Central District of California, the Eastern District of California and the Southern District of California, and before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth and Fifth Circuits.
University of Southern California - 2003 Juris Doctor
Pepperdine University - 2000 Bachelor of Arts
California Bar