skip to main content
Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
Capabilities
People
main menu
Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
  • Capabilities
  • People
  • Capabilities
  • People
About
About
Inclusion and Engagement
Social Impact
Lateral Opportunities
About
Inclusion and Engagement
Social Impact
Lateral Opportunities
Resources
Insights
News
Events
Insights
News
Events
Careers
Contact
Offices

Thomas S. Vangel

Member

tvangel@harrisbeachmurtha.com
D: (617) 457-4072  
- Boston, MA – Arch Street Office
Linkedin
Address-card

< Swipe >

Partner Thomas S. Vangel
Profile
Representative Matters
Resources
Distinctions

Tom has extensive experience representing clients in the areas of business litigation and bankruptcy.

Tom’s litigation practice includes commercial, franchise, automotive, banking, director and officer liability, landlord/tenant, and non-compete litigation. In his bankruptcy practice, Tom is devoted to the representation of Chapter 7 and 11 Trustees, secured and unsecured creditors, landlords and creditors’ committees. He also frequently represents corporate clients in defending complex preference claims and other litigation brought by bankruptcy estate representatives. Tom has significant trial experience in the state and federal courts in Massachusetts.

Tom has lectured to various groups, including the Norton’s Bankruptcy Litigation Institute, the National Association of Credit Management, American Bankruptcy Institute, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education and the MIT Center for Real Estate. He is a former member of the adjunct faculty at New England School of Law and a former Managing Editor of the New England Law Review.

  • In January and February 2014, successfully represented a publicly traded regional bank in lender liability case involving a failed 108-unit housing development.  After a ten-day trial in Superior Court, recovered $4.8 million judgment for the bank client plus attorneys’ fees and defeated entirely a $5.8 million counterclaim asserted by the developer.
  • Represented the Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers and two individual dealers before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in May 2014 in a landmark franchise law case involving Tesla Motors.
  • Represented the Chapter 7 Trustee in several litigation matters in the case of In re: Inofin, Inc., a sub-prime automotive lender to a large number of used car dealers throughout New England.
  • Represented the Chapter 7 Trustee in all matters concerning the Bluewater Hld. Corp. case including claims regarding the validity and priority of liens and director and officer liability claims.
  • Recovered $11 million judgment in August 2011 for a bank client in the Massachusetts Superior Court in connection with litigation brought against guarantors of a failed 200-unit condominium development.
  • Represented the Chapter 7 Trustee in all matters in the Get Connected, Inc. case including director and officer liability claims and all litigation brought in this case.
Insights
April 6, 2026

FTC Targeting Auto Dealers Due to Price Advertising Practices

Dealers should review price financing, promotions, rebates and discounts to ensure all fees and conditions are clearly communicated.
News
September 2, 2026

Firm Attorneys Highlight FTC Targeting Auto Dealers for Hidden Fees

Dealers should review their vehicle advertising programs to ensure all fees and eligibility conditions are clearly communicated.
August 20, 2026

123 Harris Beach Murtha Lawyers Recognized as 2027 Best Lawyers® Award Recipients; 10 Earn “Lawyer of the Year” Recognition

Best Lawyers honorees are selected through a peer-review process evaluating professional excellence within specific practice areas and geogr
July 16, 2026

Auto Dealers at Risk for Actions of Third-Party Vendors

Agreements must comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a federal law to protect consumers from unwanted communications.
June 24, 2026

Auto Dealers Must Take Cybersecurity Seriously or Face Big Penalties

Auto dealers should work with experts and attorneys to develop long-term data security plans to ensure customers are protected.
June 4, 2026

15 Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys, Eight Practice Areas Earn Recognition in Chambers USA 2026

Chambers and Partners is an independent professional legal research company operating across 200 jurisdictions.
April 2, 2026

Auto Dealers and Manufacturers Face Off Over Sales Metrics

Massachusetts dealers should reach out to counsel as soon as they are notified of any deficiency in sales performance.
March 2, 2026

Attorneys Highlight Another Try by Auto Manufacturers to Bypass Dealers

The latest column discusses at attempt by EV manufacturer Lucid Group USA to sell directly to consumers in Georgia.
February 2, 2026

Car Dealers Fight Direct-to-Consumer Sales Around the Nation

Manufacturer Scout has been awarded manufacturer or dealer licenses in Colorado and five other states.
Events

Partner Terry Flynn to Present on Recent Enforcement Trends Targeting Auto Dealers at MSADA Annual Meeting

October 10, 2025
Terry Flynn to present “Driven to Comply: Recent Enforcement Trends Targeting Automotive Dealers” at MSADA Annual Meeting.
External Publications
November 1, 2024

Co-Author, "Scout Motors' Plan to Sell EVs Directly to Consumers Is Likely to Face Legal Challenges," Massachusetts Auto Dealer

September 1, 2024

Co-Author, "Connelly Decision Impacts Succession Planning," Massachusetts Auto Dealer

July 1, 2024

Co-Author, "CDK Breach Update – Next Steps for Dealers," Massachusetts Auto Dealer

January 1, 2023

Co-Author, "Dealers Need to Ensure They Are Complying with Copyright Law," Massachusetts Auto Dealer

December 1, 2023

Co-Author, "Hyundai Partners with Amazon to Sell Cars; FTC Vehicle Shopping Rule Creates Challenges for Dealers," Massachusetts Auto Dealer

October 1, 2023

Co-Author, “Legal Updates: Effective Estate and Succession Planning for Auto Dealers; NY Dealers Challenge Ford’s Model e Program,” Massachusetts Auto Dealer

Co-Author, “Legal Updates: Dealers Win on Courtesy Vehicle Liability; FTC Looks to Ban Spot Deliveries,” Massachusetts Auto Dealer (August 2023)

June 1, 2023

Co-Author, “Buyer Beware ‒ OEMs Increasingly Exercising Their Rights of First Refusal,” Massachusetts Auto Dealer

May 1, 2023

Co-Author, “Reputational Harm as a Basis for Franchise Termination,” Massachusetts Auto Dealer

April 1, 2023

Co-Author, “Lawmakers File Bills Affecting Dealers,” Massachusetts Auto Dealer

March 1, 2023

Co-Author, “Factories Failing to Pay Markup on EV Battery Replacements,” Massachusetts Auto Dealer

February 1, 2023

Co-Author, “FTC Seeks to Ban Non-Compete Agreements,” Massachusetts Auto Dealer

January 1, 2023

Co-Author, “Be Wary of New Franchise Agreements,” Massachusetts Auto Dealer

December 1, 2022

Co-Author, “EV Rollouts Take Aim at Franchised Dealers,” Massachusetts Auto Dealer

November 1, 2022

Co-Author, “A Warning Sign to Massachusetts Auto Dealers,” Massachusetts Auto Dealer

"E & O and D & O Liability Insurance and Claims in Bankruptcy," American Bankruptcy Institute (2014)

“Practical Pointers for Dealing with Non-Compete Agreements,” Association of Employment Professionals (2011)

May 1, 2019

Co-author, "When it comes to terminating a restaurant franchise, know all facets of the relationship," Restaurant News

Co-author, “Hot Topics in Franchise and Distribution Law," MCLE (1999)

Prev ...123... Next

Professional and Civic

  • Massachusetts Bar Association, Trial Practice and Procedure Committee Former Member
  • Boston Bar Association, Bankruptcy and Litigation Sections
  • American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Boston Lawyers Group, Executive Committee (2009-2018)
  • South Shore Hospital, Board of Directors (2005-2016)
  • Hingham Yacht Club, Executive Committee (2007-2015)
  • Caritas Communities, Inc., Braintree, MA, Director (1998-2001)

Recognition

  • Holds an AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™
  • Listed as a leading Bankruptcy/Restructuring lawyer in Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
  • Best Lawyers, Commercial Litigation, since 2013
  • Best Lawyers, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, since 2023
  • Best Lawyers, Litigation – Bankruptcy, since 2024
  • Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2004-2012 and since 2014
  • Elected to 5 person Executive Committee of Murtha Cullina LLP (2007-2012, 2018-2023)
Admissions
MassachusettsU.S. Court of Appeals, First CircuitU.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Education

New England School of Law

JD 
magna cum laude

University of Massachusetts

BA 
summa cum laude

Capabilities

Legal Practices

Member of:

Business Litigation
Commercial Real Estate
Corporate
Financial Restructuring, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights

Industry Teams

Leader for:

Automotive and Vehicle Dealerships

Member of:

Automotive and Vehicle Dealerships
Financial Institutions
Gaming, Hospitality and Retail
Real Estate Developers
Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
  • Contact
  • Offices
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Disclaimer
  • Site Map
  • Contact
  • Offices
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Disclaimer
  • Site Map
Payment Portal
X-twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. © 2025 Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC

TRUSTe
Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
Back to Top
Partner Thomas S. Vangel

Thomas S. Vangel

Member

tvangel@harrisbeachmurtha.com
Capabilities
People
Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
Partner Thomas S. Vangel

Thomas S. Vangel

tvangel@harrisbeachmurtha.com
D: (617) 457-4072
Boston, MA - Arch Street Office

Profile

Tom has extensive experience representing clients in the areas of business litigation and bankruptcy.

Tom’s litigation practice includes commercial, franchise, automotive, banking, director and officer liability, landlord/tenant, and non-compete litigation. In his bankruptcy practice, Tom is devoted to the representation of Chapter 7 and 11 Trustees, secured and unsecured creditors, landlords and creditors’ committees. He also frequently represents corporate clients in defending complex preference claims and other litigation brought by bankruptcy estate representatives. Tom has significant trial experience in the state and federal courts in Massachusetts.

Tom has lectured to various groups, including the Norton’s Bankruptcy Litigation Institute, the National Association of Credit Management, American Bankruptcy Institute, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education and the MIT Center for Real Estate. He is a former member of the adjunct faculty at New England School of Law and a former Managing Editor of the New England Law Review.

Areas of Expertise

Legal Practices

Member of:

Business Litigation
Commercial Real Estate
Corporate
Financial Restructuring, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights

Industry Teams

Leader for:

Automotive and Vehicle Dealerships

Member of:

Automotive and Vehicle Dealerships
Financial Institutions
Gaming, Hospitality and Retail
Real Estate Developers
Please select listing to show.

Admissions

MassachusettsU.S. Court of Appeals, First CircuitU.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts

Representative Matters

  • In January and February 2014, successfully represented a publicly traded regional bank in lender liability case involving a failed 108-unit housing development.  After a ten-day trial in Superior Court, recovered $4.8 million judgment for the bank client plus attorneys’ fees and defeated entirely a $5.8 million counterclaim asserted by the developer.
  • Represented the Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers and two individual dealers before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in May 2014 in a landmark franchise law case involving Tesla Motors.
  • Represented the Chapter 7 Trustee in several litigation matters in the case of In re: Inofin, Inc., a sub-prime automotive lender to a large number of used car dealers throughout New England.
  • Represented the Chapter 7 Trustee in all matters concerning the Bluewater Hld. Corp. case including claims regarding the validity and priority of liens and director and officer liability claims.
  • Recovered $11 million judgment in August 2011 for a bank client in the Massachusetts Superior Court in connection with litigation brought against guarantors of a failed 200-unit condominium development.
  • Represented the Chapter 7 Trustee in all matters in the Get Connected, Inc. case including director and officer liability claims and all litigation brought in this case.

Distinctions

Professional and Civic

  • Massachusetts Bar Association, Trial Practice and Procedure Committee Former Member
  • Boston Bar Association, Bankruptcy and Litigation Sections
  • American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Boston Lawyers Group, Executive Committee (2009-2018)
  • South Shore Hospital, Board of Directors (2005-2016)
  • Hingham Yacht Club, Executive Committee (2007-2015)
  • Caritas Communities, Inc., Braintree, MA, Director (1998-2001)

Recognition

  • Holds an AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™
  • Listed as a leading Bankruptcy/Restructuring lawyer in Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
  • Best Lawyers, Commercial Litigation, since 2013
  • Best Lawyers, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, since 2023
  • Best Lawyers, Litigation – Bankruptcy, since 2024
  • Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2004-2012 and since 2014
  • Elected to 5 person Executive Committee of Murtha Cullina LLP (2007-2012, 2018-2023)
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. © 2026 Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC
Content current as of October 8, 2026 2:27 am