Overview

Tom TerMaat brings over 25 years of private practice experience to his clients' benefit. He practices in the areas of commercial litigation, real estate litigation, general civil litigation, insurance defense, transportation and trucking law, and premises liability.

Realizing commercial disputes are a common and often mismanaged cost of doing business, Tom is aggressive in seeking ways to provide a vigorous and efficient resolution to a dispute. Tom is skilled in effective representation of clients in settlement meetings, arbitration and mediation proceedings as well as in the courtroom. The types of matters he handles for clients include: enforcement of real estate purchase agreements; construction lien litigation; business to business contract disputes; defense of trucking and transportation companies; insurance coverage analysis and litigation; and defense of premises liability claims.

Additionally, Tom is recognized as one of the leading experts in Michigan No-Fault Automobile Insurance Law. He has delivered dozens of educational programs on No-Fault Insurance to clients and insurance company claim adjusters over the years. Tom has also distributed numerous legal alerts on the topic and annually updates and publishes his manual, Michigan No-Fault Insurance Outline, First Party Claims. He was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers® in America making him a leading insurance specialist in Grand Rapids.

Committed to the West Michigan community, Tom has been active in a wide range of local legal, community and political organizations since starting his career. Additionally he has served on the firm's Recruiting Committee since 2012 and was appointed to Chair in 2019.

Honors & Recognitions

Affiliations

Memberships & Affiliations

Legal Affiliations:

• State Bar of Michigan
• Grand Rapids Bar Association
• Michigan State Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2014-Present
• State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly, 2010-2016
• Certified Case Evaluator, 17th Circuit Court, Kent County, Michigan, 2009-Present
• American Inns of Court, Gerald R. Ford Chapter, 1998-2001 
• Hillman Trial Advocacy Program, 1997-1998

Community Involvement:

• Kent County Officers, Compensation Commission, 2011-Present  
• Central Reformed Church
  • Vice Chair & Deacon, 2014-2017
  • Personnel Committee, Chair, 2014-2017
  • Executive Committee, 2015-2017
  • Pastoral Transition Team, 2017-2018
  • Music Taskforce, 2018
• GAP PAC (Political action committee of young executives, professionals, and small business owners); Founder and Vice President, 2002-2015
• John Ball Zoo, Advisory Board, 2002-2007
• "Friends of West Michigan Business" (Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce PAC); Steering Committee, 2002-2006
• The Other Way Ministries (booster and pro bono legal services) 
• Kent County Republican Executive Committee, 2000-2004 and 2009-2011
• Westown Jubilee Housing (booster and pro bono legal services)
• Third Congressional District Executive Committee, 2000-2004

Communications

Publications

• Michigan Court of Appeals Ruling Adds Challenges for Premises Owners and Their Insurers as to Premises Liability Cases, Insurance Regulatory News E-blast, January 22, 2024
• Michigan Supreme Court Overturns Itself on Application of Tolling to "One Year Back" Rule, Foster Swift No-Fault E-News, June 14, 2012
• Michigan Court of Appeals Gives Guidance for Setting Attendant Care Rates, Foster Swift No-Fault E-News, December 8, 2011
• Michigan No-Fault Insurance Outline, (updated annually since 2001)
• Michigan Supreme Court Holds No-Fault Damages Limitation Does Not Apply to State Actors or Minors, Foster Swift No-Fault E-News, August 3, 2010
• The Buzz on Electronic Discovery, March 2009

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News & Events

Speaking Engagements

• Michigan’s 2019 No-Fault Reform, Client Risk Control Workshop, September 2019
• Overview of Commercial General Liability Insurance Policies, Client Leadership Academy, July 2019
• Premises Liability and Application of the Open and Obvious Doctrine, client leadership academy, Client Leadership Academy, April 2019
• Premises Liability and Open and Obvious in Michigan, Client Quarterly Safety Meeting, September 2018
• Premises Liability and Application of the Open and Obvious Doctrine, client leadership academy, Client Leadership Academy, March 2017
• Premises Liability and Application of the Open and Obvious Doctrine, client leadership academy, October 2016

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News

• Foster Swift Attorneys Named 2025 Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, August 15, 2024
• Foster Swift Attorneys Named 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, August 17, 2023
• Foster Swift Attorneys Named 2023 Best Lawyers in America©, Best Lawyers in America, August 18, 2022
• Foster Swift Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers in America©, August 19, 2021
• Nine Attorneys Listed as Top Lawyers 2020, Grand Rapids Magazine, December 11, 2020
• Foster Swift Attorneys Named to 2021 Best Lawyers in America©, August 20, 2020
• Eight Foster Swift Attorneys Included in GR Magazine Top Lawyers 2019, Grand Rapids Magazine, December 2, 2019