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Thomas Naatz

Associate
Thomas W Naatz
vCard
twnaatz@Venable.com
Baltimore, MD
T +1 410.244.7497

Tom Naatz knows what questions to ask to get to the bottom of a case. Tom’s diligence in researching and analyzing intricate legal topics helps his team provide top-tier service to a wide range of clients. Through his pre-law school tenure as the secretary’s briefing book coordinator at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Tom built invaluable experience synthesizing complex issues in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. He thrives at producing clear, concise written products that boil thorny questions down to their essence.

In law school, Tom dedicated much of his time to honing his appellate advocacy skills. He competed on the William & Mary Law School Moot Court Team, winning best brief along with his teammate in the 2023 Intra-Team Tournament. He spent his 3L year working in the law school’s Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic.

Tom focused much of his law school coursework on international law, graduating with a concentration in that subject. Outside the classroom, he was a research assistant focusing on international criminal law. He participated in the 2023 Anglophone edition of the international humanitarian law-oriented Jean-Pictet Competition. He was one of his graduating class’s co-recipients of the Award for Excellence in International Law.

Related Practices

Experience

Government Experience

  • Secretary’s briefing book coordinator, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Credentials
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Education

  • J.D. summa cum laude William & Mary School of Law 2025
    • Order of the Coif
    • Award for Excellence in International Law (co-recipient)
    • CALI Awards:
      • International Business Transactions (Fall 2024)
      • Criminal Law (Fall 2022)
    • Senior notes editor, Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice (Vol. 31)
    • Social chair, OUTLaw (2023 – 2025)
    • Moot Court Team
      • Best Brief, 2023 Intra-Team Moot Court Competition (co-recipient)
  • B.A. Political Science and Spanish cum laude University of Notre Dame 2020
    • Indiana Collegiate Press Association
      • Best Continuous Coverage of a Single Story (Newspaper I), 2019 (earned as member of a team that covered ongoing on-campus controversy regarding reproductive health)
      • Best News or Feature Series (Newspaper I), 2019 (earned as member of a team that covered the 2018 general election)

Bar Admissions

  • Maryland

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, LGBTQ @ Venable

Recognition
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  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Secretary’s Commendation, 2022 (earned for “outstanding work compiling materials and building briefing books”)