Thomas M. Findley

Tom Findley has more than 25 years of experience handling white collar criminal cases, including complex allegations of health care fraud, bank fraud, corporate fraud, public corruption, criminal tax matters, and a variety of other white collar matters. In private practice, Tom also represented numerous clients accused of violations of the federal and Florida false claims acts.

Before he began private practice, Tom served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Major Crimes Division of the Middle District of Florida. He has tried more than 20 jury trials and handled more than 100 grand jury investigations.

Prior to serving as an AUSA, Tom was a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph Hatchett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Experience

Represented a client accused of wire fraud related to grants of public funds in the Southern District of Mississippi.

Represented the chief financial officer of an insurance company in connection with CAT Fund reinsurance claims associated with Hurricanes Jeanne and Frances in a multiweek federal criminal trial, which resulted in a complete acquittal.

Represented a bank president against allegations of fraud upon federal bank examiners in a multiweek federal criminal trial.

Represented city officials in two federal grand jury investigations into alleged corruption involving two municipalities in Florida.

Represented clients in Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigations into various matters related to billing and cost reporting, including one complex matter resulting in a complete acquittal in criminal jury trial against the MFCU in November 2022.

Defended a government contractor charged under the Florida False Claims Act in a multiweek trial.

In a three-day jury trial, represented a businessman accused of lying to the IRS and other federal criminal offenses, resulting in an acquittal.

Represented a piano dealer in a case involving alleged Lacey Act violations in the Northern District of Georgia.

Represented a client accused in the Southern District of Alabama of importing materials that were alleged to be in violation of FDA law.

Represented a Florida juvenile on a pro bono basis in a case affecting the confidentiality of juvenile records throughout the state of Florida.

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America (2021–2022, 2024–2027); Tallahassee "Lawyer of the Year," Criminal Defense: White Collar (2025)

Florida Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2024–2026)

Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend (2018–2021)

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Professional & Community Involvement

Tom is a member of the Florida Bar and has long served the federal courts of the Eleventh Circuit through committee work. For the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, he serves on the public defender selection, magistrate selection, and local rules committees, and for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, he serves on the Judicial Conference Planning Committee and the Public Defender Selection Committee. He has also served on committees for the appointment of the federal public defender and magistrate selection in the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.