How much does it cost to hire Thomas for a consumer case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Thomas walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does Thomas offer a free consultation?

Thomas charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Thomas's office. Some consumer attorneys offer free consults — check Thomas's current terms during booking.

How long do consumer cases in District of Columbia typically take?

Simple consumer matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Thomas gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can Thomas take my case if I'm outside Washington?

Thomas is licensed in District of Columbia. Matters governed by District of Columbia law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Thomas will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with Thomas?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Thomas will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is Thomas accepting new consumer clients right now?

Thomas's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

Thomas C. Berger, Consumer Attorney in Washington, District of Columbia

Over 33 years of legal practice · focused on Consumer, Energy, and Entertainment

Partner

Washington, DC

Practicing consumer in Washington since 1993.

33+: Years practicing
3: Bar admissions

Practices in

Consumer Energy Entertainment Environmental General Health Care +3 more →

Are you Thomas C. Berger?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

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Quick answer

Thomas C. Berger is a partner based in Washington, DC. The practice focuses on Consumer, Energy, and Entertainment. Thomas has over 33 years of legal experience.

Based in: Washington, DC
Experience: over 33 years
Known for: Consumer · Energy · Entertainment

Handles Consumer, Energy, and Entertainment matters from Washington, DC.
Over 33 years of practice as a licensed attorney.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Thomas takes on

Thomas concentrates on consumer, energy, entertainment, environmental, and general. Each area below outlines the kind of case Thomas handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Consumer cases in Washington, District of Columbia

Thomas takes consumer matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Thomas agrees to represent you.

Energy cases in Washington, District of Columbia

Thomas takes energy matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Thomas agrees to represent you.

Entertainment cases in Washington, District of Columbia

Thomas takes entertainment matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Thomas agrees to represent you.

Environmental cases in Washington, District of Columbia

Thomas takes environmental matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Thomas agrees to represent you.

General cases in Washington, District of Columbia

Thomas takes general matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Thomas agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Thomas C. Berger — consumer lawyer in Washington

Thomas C. Berger is a partner based in Washington, DC. The practice focuses on Consumer, Energy, and Entertainment. Thomas has over 33 years of legal experience.

Thomas (Tom) Berger’s practice is based on an in-depth understanding of and experience with the chemicals, plastics, and electronics industries. As a preeminent practitioner with over 30 years of experience, Tom helps clients commercialize new chemical products and preserve supply chains for existing chemical products utilizing an interdisciplinary team approach combining law and science, with an emphasis on emerging technologies in the industrial and consumer chemicals areas.

Tom’s practice focuses almost exclusively on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Tom leads clients through the TSCA section 5 premanufacture notification (PMN) approval process and negotiates the terms of resulting section 5(e) orders and significant new use rules (SNURs). He provides counsel to clients on major U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement matters, assists companies in preparing for compliance inspections and responding to information requests and subpoenas, and defends Agency enforcement actions.

As an active member of the environmental and chemical industries and legal community, Tom was extensively involved in efforts to “reform” TSCA, and has in-depth and day-to-day experience with all aspects of TSCA, including rulemaking/advocacy, test rule/order, section 5 PMN, TSCA Inventory, Chemical Data Reporting (CDR), and section 6, as well as confidential business information (CBI), section 8 recordkeeping and reporting, and import/export issues.

Tom’s technical background allows him to undertake matters that involve complex chemistry, chemical nomenclature, and chemical engineering issues. Tom co-authored an amicus curiae brief for the United States Supreme Court in Hoechst Celanese v. United States, 128 F.3d 216 (4th Cir. 1997), as well as four technical papers on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (“dioxin”).

Tom is a recognized leader in conducting extensive voluntary TSCA compliance audits, often conducted as part of corporate mergers or acquisitions. Since its inception in 1995, Tom has assisted hundreds of clients successfully utilize EPA’s “Audit Policy” (as well as the “New Owner Policy”) to disclose and obtain up to 100% gravity-based monetary penalty mitigation for a wide variety of TSCA violations.

Tom is a frequent lecturer and author on chemical notification, chemical regulation, liability management, auditing, enforcement, and TSCA reform issues, and is regularly quoted as an expert in the trade press. He was a contributing author of Environmental and Workplace Safety, A Guide for University, Hospital, and School Managers (Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996).

Tom has a Chemical Engineering background, and, prior to joining Keller and Heckman, worked as an engineer for a major international chemical manufacturing company.

Awards

•The Best Lawyers in America: Environmental Law, 2025 - 2026

Insights & In the News

TSCA Citizen Suits - Not the Same as It Ever Was

05.20.2026
Publication

TSCA CBI Claims Face Heightened Litigation and Imminent Expiration Deadlines

03.02.2026
Publication

TSCA and the Food (and Food Packaging) Exemptions

10.17.2024
Publication

Tom Berger and Herb Estreicher Quoted in Inside TSCA Article on Increased Scrutiny of TSC...

In The News
03.23.2026

Thomas's approach to consumer cases

Clients Thomas works with

Thomas reviews new inquiries case-by-case for consumer, energy, and entertainment matters in Washington and the surrounding District of Columbia area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

George Washington University Law School
J.D. · 1993
Michigan State University
B.S. Michigan · 1987

Jurisdictions

Thomas's state bar admissions

Indiana
2006 · ACTIVE
District of Columbia
1995 · ACTIVE
Pennsylvania
1993 · ACTIVE

Thomas studied at J.D. in George Washington University Law School and B.S. Michigan in Michigan State University.

Law school and academic background

Thomas completed J.D. in George Washington University Law School and B.S. Michigan in Michigan State University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Thomas runs in District of Columbia is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Affiliations

Thomas's professional memberships and bar associations

Memberships •American Bar Association (ABA), Pesticide, Chemical Regulation, and Right-to-Know Committee
membership

Locations

Thomas C. Berger's office in Washington

Thomas's primary office is at 1001 G Street NW, Suite 500 West, Washington, DC, 20001. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

1001 G Street NW, Suite 500 West

Washington, DC 20001

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of Thomas C. Berger

Thomas has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Thomas C. Berger — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new consumer attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Thomas usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Thomas charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Thomas's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Thomas will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a consumer attorney in Washington, District of Columbia

A short list to run through before you commit: How many consumer matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Thomas

Thomas discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in consumer practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every consumer matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Thomas confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Thomas's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many consumer practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Thomas C. Berger

How much does it cost to hire Thomas for a consumer case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Thomas walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Thomas offer a free consultation?
Thomas charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Thomas's office. Some consumer attorneys offer free consults — check Thomas's current terms during booking.
How long do consumer cases in District of Columbia typically take?
Simple consumer matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Thomas gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Thomas take my case if I'm outside Washington?
Thomas is licensed in District of Columbia. Matters governed by District of Columbia law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Thomas will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Thomas?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Thomas will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Thomas accepting new consumer clients right now?
Thomas's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Community Q&A

Real questions asked by District of Columbia residents in the last few months, answered by consumer attorneys like Thomas C. Berger. Each link opens the full answer thread.

What to do if my credit report contains incorrect information in Illinois?
I recently checked my credit report and found a $2,500 debt listed that I don’t recognize. I live in Chicago, Illinois, and this is negatively impacting my credit score. I’ve tried
1 verified answer · Consumer · Illinois
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I bought a new refrigerator from a store in Los Angeles, California, which came with a two-year warranty. When it broke down after just six months, the company refused to fix it, c
1 verified answer · Consumer · California
What should I do if my bank won't remove a fraudulent charge in Oregon?
I live in Portland, Oregon, and just noticed a $200 charge on my bank statement that I didn’t make. I reported it, but the bank refuses to remove the charge, claiming it appears le
1 verified answer · Consumer · Oregon
Can a travel agency refuse to give me a refund in Washington?
I booked a vacation package through a travel agency in Seattle, Washington, but had to cancel due to a family emergency. They are refusing to provide me a refund, citing their poli
1 verified answer · Consumer · Washington
Can I be charged extra fees for paying my medical bill early in Florida?
I received a medical bill for $5,000 from a clinic in Miami, Florida, and I wanted to pay it off early. However, they informed me that there would be a 5% processing fee if I paid
1 verified answer · Consumer · Florida
What recourse do I have for receiving defective merchandise in Virginia?
I ordered a laptop online from a retailer in Richmond, Virginia, and when it arrived, it was defective and didn’t turn on. I attempted to return it, but they are refusing to accept
1 verified answer · Consumer · Virginia

Areas served

Consumer attorneys serving Washington and Belize City in District of Columbia

Thomas handles consumer matters throughout District of Columbia. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified consumer attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Thomas's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these consumer attorneys in Washington handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.