Thomas B. Swanson received paralegal, law enforcement, counter-terrorism and investigative training in the United States Air Force. Swanson has been a Texas trial lawyer for over thirty five years and a teacher of paralegals for over thirty years.
He is presently an instructor and the Academic Dean at Center For Advanced Legal Studies, a private paralegal college in Houston, Texas. Over the last twenty-five years, Swanson has written numerous books and articles on matters ranging from law to security to investigations. He has also been an invited speaker to numerous industry groups to speak on topics relating to law, security issues and investigations.
South Texas College of Law
Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
1978 – 1981
Honor Court Prosecutor
University of Florida
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Political Science
1976 – 1978
1971 Lackland Air Force Base, (San Antonio), Texas. United States Air Force Legal Services Specialist (paralegal) Training Program. Trained as court bailiff, criminal court administrator, court reporter, claims examiner and investigator.
1972 Lackland Air Force Base, (San Antonio), Texas. Completed training and became Legal Services Specialist (paralegal). Worked as court bailiff and claims examiner/investigator at the base legal office.
1972 Lackland Air Force Base, (San Antonio), Texas. Received further training in law enforcement and security, including counter-terrorism and VIP protection training. Performed law enforcement and security duties as well as Federal Tort Claims Act investigations.
1973 Taipei Air Station, (Taipei) Taiwan. Investigator for United States Air Force Foreign Claims Commission, investigating incidents involving USAF personnel, ranging from motor vehicle accidents to complex fraud to murder. Served in various capacities in matters of foreign criminal jurisdiction, such as liason to the Taiwanese prison system with respect to Americans who were incarcerated in their prisons. Served as legal advisor to Commander (a General), 327th Air Division.
1976 Keesler Air Force Base (Biloxi), Mississippi. Spent last four months of active duty in the Air Force as a "floater" at a base legal office helping in situations where needed, as a "short timer".
1976 Received the Air Force Commendation Medal for outstanding service in Asia.
1976 Gainesville, Florida. Began studies at the University of Florida.
1978 Gainesville, Florida. Graduated with B.A. (Political Science) from the University of Florida.
1978 Houston, Texas. Began studies at South Texas College of Law.
1981 Houston, Texas. Graduated from South Texas College of Law.
1981 Houston, Texas. Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
1981 Houston, Texas. Employed by Archer, Peterson and Waldner, a law firm that practiced maritime law, personal injury law and labor and employment law.
1986 Houston, Texas. Left legal employment and opened trial practice firm. Have continued in private trial practice to the present.
1987 Began position as instructor of law at Center For Advanced Legal Studies, a private paralegal college, in addition to private law practice.
1992 Licensed as Private Security Consultant with the Texas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies. Would hold this license until 2011. (name of licensing agency would change first to Texas Commission On Private Security and then to the current name, Texas Department of Public Safety, Private Security Bureau).
2000 Appointed to position of Academic Dean at the Center For Advanced Legal Studies. Continued in private law practice.
Swanson: Introduction to Law and Ethics for the Paralegal, 1St Ed.; Penmyre IV Publications [1987]*
Rea & Swanson: Criminal Law for the Paralegal; Penmyre IV Publications [1988]*
Swanson: Texas Personal Injury Law for the Paralegal, Penmyre IV Publications [1988]*
Swanson: Commercial Law and Business Organizations for the Paralegal; Penmyre IV Publications [1988]*
Swanson: Introduction to Law and Ethics for the Paralegal, 2nd Ed.; Greyhouse Publications [1993]*
Swanson: U. S. Politics and the Constitution, Greyhouse Publications [1993]*
Swanson: Interviewing and Investigation, Greyhouse Publications [1993]*
Swanson: Environmental Law for the Paralegal; Greyhouse Publications [1993]*
Swanson: Texas Investigation Manual for Attorneys, Paralegals and Security Professionals; TLSN, Inc. [1996]*
Swanson: Texas Investigation Manual for Business Professionals; TSLN, Inc. [1998]*
Swanson: Texas Personal Injury Law for the Paralegal, 2nd Ed.; TSLN, Inc. [1998]*
Swanson: Texas Investigation Manual for Attorneys, Paralegals and Security Professionals, 1998 Ed.; TSLN, Inc. [1998]*
Swanson: Texas Civil Litigation Handbook for the Paralegal; TSLN, Inc. [1999]*
Swanson: Introduction to Law and Ethics for the Paralegal, Tex. Ed.; TSLN, Inc.; [2002]
Swanson: Texas Civil Litigation Handbook for the Paralegal; TSLN, Inc. [2003 Ed.]
Swanson: Texas Notary Public Seminar Manual; TSLN, Inc. [2003]*
Swanson: Texas Personal Injury Law for the Paralegal, 3rd Ed.; TSLN, Inc. [2004] *
Swanson: Texas Investigation Manual for Attorneys, Paralegals and Security Professionals, 3rd Ed.; TSLN, Inc. [2004]*
Swanson: Texas Personal Injury Law for the Paralegal, 4th Ed.; TSLN, Inc. [2006]
Swanson: A No-Nonsense Guide for the Texas Notary Public [2013]; Amazon
Swanson: How to Conduct Professional Investigations [2014]; Amazon
Swanson: LAWSUITS: The World of Civil Litigation [2016]; Amazon
Swanson: Ethical Considerations; Employment Law Institute, South Texas College of Law [1988]
Swanson: Security Against Liability; The Update (a publication of the Associated Security Services and Investigators of the State of Texas); Jul-Sep., 1993
Swanson: What Paralegals Need to Know About Personal Injury Law in 2008
Swanson: Texas Legal Landscape For Orthotists & Prosthetists (April, 2015)
Other Publications
Texas Security Law Newsletter
Monthly issues from October, 1992 through December, 1998 TSLN, Inc.*
Published Appeals Court Decisions — Counsel of Record
Perez v. McGar, 630 S.W.2d 320 (Tex. App. --Houston [14th Dist.] 1982) *Texas Court of Appeals/writ of mandamus
Grimm v. Rizk, 640 S.W.2d 711 (Tex. App. --Houston [14th Dist.] 1982, writ refd n.r.e.), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 1045 (1984)
*Texas Court of Appeals/involved challenge of foreclosure of commercial property
Sakowitz, Inc. v. Steck, 669 S.W.2d 105 (Tex. 1984)
* Supreme Court of Texas/involved suit for tortious interference with contractual relations
State v. Wilson, 324 S.W.3d 595 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010)
*Court of Criminal Appeals/ State's appeal of granted writ of habeas corpus
Trials As Counsel of Record
Harris County, Texas - Fair Labor Standards Act (federal)
Galveston County, Texas - Sexual harassment (federal)
Jefferson County, Texas - Maritime personal injury (federal)
Lake Charles, Louisiana - Maritime personal injury (federal)
Harris County, Texas - Personal injury/police department
Harris County, Texas - Personal injury/transit authority
Harris County, Texas - Construction accident
Harris County, Texas - Medical malpractice
Harris County, Texas - Legal malpractice
Harris County, Texas - Insurance company misconduct
Chambers County, Texas - Personal injury/exploding truck wheel
Chambers County, Texas - Premises liability
Harris County, Texas - Debt collection
Bexar County, Texas - Security contractor liability/arson
Bexar County, Texas - Security contractor liability/theft
Tarrant County, Texas - Wrongful death
Dallas County, Texas - Security contractor liability/assault by security guard
Dallas County, Texas - Security contractor liability/shooting by third party/apartment complex
Dallas County, Texas - Financial misconduct by employee against employer
Austin County, Texas - Child custody dispute
Harris County, Texas - Divorce/child custody dispute
Bastrop County, Texas - Termination of parental rights suit
Harris County, Texas - Divorce/jurisdictional dispute involving divorce in other country
Harris County, Texas - Trespass to Land
Nueces County, Texas - Suit for grandparent visitation
Brazoria County, Texas - Defamation of Character
Harris County, Texas - Alleged sexual assault by military recruiter
Harris County, Texas - Alleged burglary of habitation
Harris County, Texas - Alleged DWI
Jefferson County, Texas - Alleged obstruction of public passageway
Harris County, Texas - Resisting arrest
Harris County - Contract dispute between church and fabricator
Representation Of Clients Before Government Agencies
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) — administrative trial over alleged workplace violation by labor union
U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board — appeal of disability determination by injured postal employee
Office of Hearings & Appeals (Social Security Administration) — hearings before administrative law judges (ALJs) over denials of social security and supplemental security income benefits
EEOC — representation of employees claiming illegal discrimination and representation of employers defending against claims of discrimination
U.S. Department of Agriculture — representation in food stamp violation charges
U.S. Military Discharge Review/Corrections Boards — representation in petitions to upgrade less than honorable military discharges
Texas State Comptroller — representation of retailer in sales tax disputes
Texas Education Agency — dispute over funding of private education of severely disabled children
Texas Workforce Commission (formerly Texas Employment Commission) —representation of employees and employers in unemployment compensation disputes and Pay Day Law (unpaid wage) disputes
Texas Medical Board — representation of physician in disciplinary proceedings
Texas Nursing Board — representation of nurse in disciplinary proceedings
Texas Board of Orthotics and Prosthetics — representation of licensees in disciplinary proceedings
Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) — appeal of license suspensions by DPS; appeal of decision by independent school district regarding schooling of autistic children; appeal of disciplinary decision of medical provider
City of Houston Civil Service Commission — representation of employees terminated by the city
Invited speaker to June, 1993, meeting of Houston Chapter of Associated Security Services and Investigators of the State of Texas (A.S.S.I.S.T.) Topic: Premises Security
Invited speaker to June, 1993 meeting of Houston Hotel/Motel Security Association, Houston, Texas. Topic: Security Issues Facing Innkeepers
Invited speaker to December, 1993 A.S.S.I.S.T. State Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Topic: Update on Premises Liability
Invited speaker to February, 1994, meeting of American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS), Houston Chapter. Topic: Update on Liability for Crimes by Third Persons
Invited speaker to March, 1994 meeting of the Rio Grande Valley Apartment Association in Harlingen, Texas. Topic: Liability for Crimes by Third Persons
Invited speaker to October, 1994, A.S.S.I.S.T. State Convention in Dallas, Texas. Topic: Update on Premises Liability
Invited speaker to October, 1994, Crime Prevention Conference, Rice University, Houston, Texas, sponsored by the Texas Gulf Coast Crime Prevention Association. Topic: Premises Security Law
Invited speaker to October, 1995, Conference on Anti-Terrorism, Houston Baptist University, sponsored by the Texas Gulf Crime Prevention Association. Topic: Legal Issues/Effect of 1995 Concealed Weapon Law and Bodyguard Law on Law Enforcement and Security Professionals
Invited speaker to October, 1996, Conference on Economic Espionage, at Houston Baptist University, sponsored by the Texas Gulf Coast Crime Prevention Association. Topic: Investigations and Immunity Issues for Actions by Law Enforcement Personnel
Invited speaker to January, 1997, meeting of the Houston, Texas Chapter of A.S.S.I.S.T. Topic: Update on Premises Security Law
Invited speaker, Houston Association of Legal Professionals, 2006 Legal Training Course for the Lawyer's Assistant [September, 2006]; Topic: Torts and Litigation
Invited speaker, 2008, Houston Metropolitan Paralegal Association. Topic: Current Issues in Texas Personal Injury Law
Invited speaker, 2015 Annual Meeting of Texas Association of Orthotists & Prosthetists [April, 2015] Topic: Texas Legal Landscape for O & P
Center for Advanced Legal Studies
800 W Sam Houston Pkwy S, Suite 100
Houston, TX 77042-1912
Call or Text: (713) 529-2778
Toll Free: 1-800-446-6931
