June 09, 2026|Firm News, Press
Buchalter is pleased to announce that Thomas Song has joined as a Partner in the Labor and Employment practice group based in the Firm’s Orange County office.
“The addition of Tom to our Orange County office reflects our continued investment in the growth of our management-side employment practice,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “His experience advising employers and delivering practical, business-oriented solutions will be invaluable to our clients.”
Song brings a distinguished record of representing employers in complex employment litigation and advising on high‑stakes workplace compliance matters across California. Song has vast experience defending employers in wage and hour class actions, PAGA representative actions, and single‑plaintiff employment disputes. He has successfully defended against motions for class certification, as well discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and failure to accommodate claims.
A recognized leader in Cal/OSHA and Fed/OSHA compliance, Song has defended employers in matters involving serious and fatality‑related citations, guiding clients through the inspection and appeal process, including multi‑day evidentiary hearings, and final agency decisions. His background as former legal counsel for the Cal/OSHA Appeals Board gives him a unique perspective on regulatory enforcement and equips clients with practical, strategic guidance on OSHA laws and requirements. He is also known for securing favorable settlements with both Cal/OSHA and Fed/OSHA through skilled negotiation and deep subject‑matter expertise.
“Buchalter’s exceptional reputation, collaborative culture, and dedication to solving complex challenges align perfectly with my legal practice approach,” said Song. “I look forward to working alongside attorneys who share my commitment to advocating for clients facing complex workplace issues.”
In addition to his employment practice, Song represents clients in trade secret litigation, breach of contract disputes, unfair competition claims, and other business tort matters. He is widely regarded for his ability to position clients for success, ensuring they are informed, prepared, and strategically aligned to achieve their goals.
Before entering the legal profession, Song had a distinguished military career, and served as a naval officer in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), with distinction, is a distinguished graduate of Surface Warfare Officer’s School, and completed Navy Nuclear Power School, graduating in the top quarter of his prototype class. He served onboard Aegis‑class guided missile destroyers and later on the nuclear‑powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN‑72), where he completed a six‑month deployment to the Persian Gulf and earned his nuclear engineer qualification. He is also a graduate of the Defense Language Institute (DLI), and served as the foreign exchange officer to the Korean Naval Academy. His military leadership and technical background further strengthen his ability to guide employers through complex regulatory and operational challenges.
“Buchalter is strongly committed to hiring veterans and those who have served,” added Bass. “We value the leadership, discipline, and practical experience they bring. We’re excited to welcome Tom to the team.”
“We are so pleased to welcome Tom to our Orange County office,” added Anne Marie Ellis, Office Managing Partner of the Orange County office. He brings deep experience and an innovative, forward‑thinking approach that strongly compliments our firm’s values and long‑term strategic objectives.”
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Buchalter is a full-service business law firm representing local, regional, national, and international clients in a multitude of practice areas and their subspecialties, among them: Bank and Finance, Corporate, Health Care, Litigation, Insolvency and Financial Law, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Real Estate, and Tax and Estate Planning. Buchalter has more than 600 attorneys with offices in California, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
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