Nancy R. Thomas

Partner

Los Angeles, (213) 892-5561

Download vCard

Education

Princeton University (B.A., 1988)
;
University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 1992)

Practices

Financial Services Litigation

Class Actions

Banking + Financial Services

Bar Admissions

New York
California

Clerkships

Hon. Stephen V. Wilson, U.S. District Court, C.D. California (1992-1993)

Nancy Thomas is co-chair of the firm's Financial Services Litigation Practice Group. Her practice focuses on complex civil litigation, particularly the defense of consumer class actions and financial services litigation. She has defended claims brought under federal banking laws and regulations, as well as state unfair and deceptive acts and practices statutes, particularly the California Unfair Competition Law.

Ms. Thomas has repeatedly won early dismissal or significant narrowing of class action suits challenging credit card and mortgage practices, including on federal preemption grounds and through motions to strike class claims. As part of her practice, Ms. Thomas has gained expertise in CAFA removal, arbitration, and complex electronic discovery issues.

Ms. Thomas is recognized by Legal 500 US as a top financial services litigator, and by Benchmark Litigation as a leading California litigator. In 2012, she was named to Euromoney Media Group's Top 250 Women in Litigation. She is an editor and contributing author of the firm’s award-winning quarterly financial services newsletter.

Ms. Thomas is a member of the board of directors for the Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers. She also is a member of the board of directors for Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, Inc., an organization that provides services to thousands of at-risk children and families each year.

During law school, Ms. Thomas was an associate editor of the University of Chicago Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif.

Puleo v. Chase Bank USA, N.A.

Won motion to compel arbitration on an individual basis and dismissal, then Third Circuit affirmance en banc of that ruling in class action challenging credit card interest rate practices. 605 F.3d 172 (3d Cir. 2010).

Shaner v. Chase Bank USA, N.A.

Won dismissal, then First Circuit affirmance of that dismissal, of Massachusetts class action alleging bank's practice of increasing credit card interest rate upon consumer's default violated Truth in Lending Act and state law. 570 F. Supp.2d 195 (E.D. Mass. 2008), aff'd, 587 F.2d 488 (1st Cir.2009).

Hauk v. Chase Bank USA, N.A.

Won summary judgment, then Ninth Circuit affirmance of that judgment, dismissing Truth in Lending Act claim in nationwide class action challenging interest rate practices for credit card balance transfers. Obtained a broad opinion about TILA that has had a far-reaching effect on the interpretation of that statute. 552 F.2d 1114 (9th Cir. 2009).

Evans v. Chase Bank USA, N.A.

Won dismissal, then Ninth Circuit affirmance of that dismissal, of nationwide class action alleging that bank’s default credit card interest rate practices violated the Truth in Lending Act, as well as California and Delaware law. 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5259 (N.D. Cal. 2006); 2008 U.S. App. LEXIS 4581 (9th Cir. 2008).

Option ARM Litigation

Represented two financial institutions in cases brought as part of a wave of litigation challenging payment option adjustable rate mortgages. Obtained early dismissals of most or all of the claims on preemption and other grounds, leading to favorable settlements on an individual basis. (2008–2010).

SP Syntax LLC v. Ernst & Young LLP, et al.

Following a three-week trial in California Superior Court, won a unanimous jury verdict on behalf of Ernst & Young, defeating claims that the accounting firm had made negligent representations in connection with financial statements issued by a public company. (2010)

Transportation Factoring, Inc. v. Grant Thornton, LLP

Following a month-long bench trial in Oregon state court, obtained complete defense verdict for Grant Thornton in an audit malpractice case brought by a lender to a former client of the firm. (2008)