About Thomas J
Thomas J Dao built his legal path on a steady, local foundation. He earned a J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2011 after completing a B.B.A. in business economics at the same university in 2007. He is admitted to practice in California and is authorized to appear before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
His earliest listed legal role came while he was still in law school. In 2009 he served as a law clerk at Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley & Jennett LLP. That role placed him inside a regional litigation environment during a formative period in his training. The experience preceded his decision to start a solo practice a few years after graduation.
In 2013 Dao opened the Law Office of Thomas J Dao. He is the firm's owner and has run the practice since that year. Operating a small law office requires handling the full range of administrative and client-facing responsibilities. Dao’s record shows a steady continuation of private practice work rather than a shift into government or large-firm practice.
His admissions to the California bar and the Ninth Circuit shape where he practices. They allow him to handle matters in both state courts and in federal appellate proceedings that fall within the Ninth Circuit’s jurisdiction. The combination of state and federal admissions is a practical setup for a California-based solo practitioner who encounters a variety of procedural settings.
Colleagues and clients describe solo practitioners in simple terms: they must be generalists in practice management and precise in courtroom procedure. Dao’s career follows that pattern. He moved from law clerk to firm owner within a few years and has maintained his practice through the mid-2020s. He continues to operate the Law Office of Thomas J Dao and handles cases in the courts where he is licensed to appear.
