Tom Quigley is a highly accomplished attorney and executive with decades of experience as a high stakes commercial litigator and General Counsel of a large organization. Tom was a senior litigation partner of one of the country’s largest and most prestigious law firms for over 25 years before embarking on a career in public service, serving as General Counsel of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The MTA is North America’s largest public transportation network, boasting an operating budget of $17 billion, a capital budget of up to $10 billion annually, and a workforce of 70,000 employees. At the MTA, Tom managed an expansive legal department comprising over 400 legal professionals and support staff, overseeing diverse legal areas including environmental, regulatory, employment, real estate, procurement, ethics, pension, municipal finance, and litigation matters. Notably, he successfully transformed six separate legal units from the MTA’s individual operating agencies into a streamlined, unified legal department organized around centralized legal functions.
As a key member of the MTA’s executive management team, Tom played a vital role in shaping organizational policy and strategy, regularly collaborating with the CEO, other C-level executives, board of directors, state and federal agencies, and elected officials. His responsibilities also encompassed managing a $48 million annual budget for external counsel engagements, and providing legal oversight on cybersecurity and other external threats to the organization. In addition to the Legal Department, he also was in charge of the MTA’s Compliance and Risk Management functions and held the position of Corporate Secretary, ensuring robust governance and board-management relations through sound advice, effective training and structured oversight.
Prior to his leadership role at the MTA, Tom built an impressive career at the international law firm Winston & Strawn LLP, where he served for over three decades, including 25 years as Senior Partner. At Winston & Strawn, he established himself as a premier first-chair trial lawyer with an outstanding record of defense jury verdicts in consumer products and other commercial cases. His expertise is broad, spanning areas such as product liability, antitrust, banking, employment, insurance, intellectual property, environmental law, and fraud/conspiracy cases. Tom also built a successful record as an appellate lawyer arguing numerous high-stakes appeals and critical motions before both state and federal courts. As head of the firm’s New York litigation department for eight years, he revitalized the group by implementing innovative workload management systems, team-building initiatives, and strategic departmental task forces, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and profitability.
Complementing his distinguished legal career, Tom earned an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University, acquiring comprehensive knowledge of nonprofit law, governance, financial management, ethics, strategic planning, fundraising, and development. His commitment to the nonprofit sector is reflected in his current role on the board of Mercy Haven, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, or mental illness, where he chairs the Compliance Committee.
Tom Quigley is admitted to practice law in New York and multiple federal jurisdictions. His professional achievements have earned him consistent recognition by industry authorities, including honors from Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in New York, and the National Law Journal, as well as perennial inclusion in New York Super Lawyers and Who’s Who in American Law.
With an impressive blend of strategic leadership, exceptional litigation skills, and management expertise, Tom stands out as a versatile and influential executive with a proven record of driving organizational success, legal excellence, and exercising sound judgment to provide outstanding legal and business advice.
Character
Tom Quigley is a principled and ethical leader known for his integrity, professionalism, and dedication to excellence. He has consistently demonstrated a strong moral compass in his legal career, ensuring accountability, fairness, and compliance in all aspects of governance and corporate responsibility. Although he is a leader with gravitas, Tom has often been accused of having a sense of humor and being great to work with as a team player.
Knowledge
With extensive expertise in a wide variety of legal disciplines, Tom is a true legal generalist who possesses a deep understanding of legal strategy, risk management, and regulatory compliance. His broad experience across multiple industries makes him a well-rounded and insightful legal and business executive.
Strategic
A visionary leader, Tom Quigley has successfully restructured legal departments, optimized litigation strategies, and guided high-level decision-making in both public and private sectors. His ability to implement innovative solutions, consolidate operations, and align legal frameworks with business objectives has driven efficiency and long-term organizational success. Throughout his career, Tom has excelled at being able to synthesize voluminous facts and data, analyze complex issues and succinctly identify all potential consequences of high stakes decision making.
Communication
Tom Quigley is an articulate and persuasive communicator with a proven ability to engage diverse stakeholders, from corporate executives and board members to government officials and legal teams. His skill in simplifying complex legal issues, fostering collaboration, and advocating for strategic initiatives has been instrumental in shaping policy and driving impactful results.
