Bio

When mergers, acquisitions, and corporate transactions pose complex challenges, the middle-market automotive suppliers, technology companies, healthcare providers, and other clients Thomas Vaughn represents know he will deliver creative and practical solutions. A corporate generalist primarily focused on M&A, Tom helps businesses with few or no in-house lawyers address two of their biggest challenges—time and resources. As an outside general counsel, he serves as the face of Dykema, applying his legal skills and fronting a multidisciplinary team of Dykema attorneys from other areas. Tom exercises keen business judgment and proactively identifies problems and opportunities to help C-suite executives, corporate boards, and management teams make sound operational and strategic decisions. Recognized among top lawyers in Michigan by Chambers USA 2023, clients note Tom is “very knowledgeable about the law, but also the practical side of doing business.” More than an M&A attorney, Tom is also an M&A scholar and industry observer. Since its launch in 2005, Tom has researched patterns and trends for Dykema’s Annual Mergers & Acquisitions Outlook Survey. He also chairs the annual M&A Awards Ceremony presented by the Association for Corporate Growth’s Detroit Chapter while also serving on the organization’s board of directors. Throughout Tom’s career, he has advised small public companies on all aspects of their operations, including raising capital, SEC and stock exchange compliance, board governance, and ultimate sale or merger. In the finance area, Tom advises clients on matters involving private placements, debt and equity offerings, and commercial loans. During the pandemic and its aftermath, he initiated and continues to lead Dykema’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan response team to help clients navigate application and forgiveness obstacles.