Thomas Hale Boggs, Jr.

Thomas Hale Boggs, Jr., known as Tommy Boggs (September 18, 1940 – September 15, 2014), was an influential American lawyer and lobbyist, based in Washington, D.C.

Boggs was the son of Thomas Hale Boggs (1914–1972), a United States Representative from Louisiana's 2nd congressional district from 1941 to 1943 and again from 1947 until his death in 1972, and Lindy Boggs (1916-2013), her husband's successor in the 2nd congressional district from 1973 until 1991 and thereafter U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican under U.S. President Bill Clinton. His siblings included journalist and news commentator Cokie Roberts, and Barbara Boggs Sigmund (1939-1990), who served as the mayor of Princeton, New Jersey.

Boggs, a Democrat, began his legal practice in his native New Orleans, Louisiana and later moved to the District of Columbia to become a lawyer and lobbyist in the nation's capital. He joined the law/lobbyist firm of James R. Patton, Jr., which today is known as Squire Patton Boggs. Boggs was the firm's senior partner. With Patton Boggs, he was known for lobbying on major issues including:

• The American Bankers Association to repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act
• Litigation against Chevron for environmental issues in Ecuador
• The $1.5 billion federal bailout of Chrysler in 1979

In 1970, Boggs unsuccessfully ran for the United States House of Representatives from Maryland's 8th congressional district against incumbent Republican Gilbert Gude. The district is currently represented by the Democrat Chris Van Hollen.

Boggs represented dozens of corporations, trade associations, and state and foreign governments. In 2013, The American Lawyer magazine named Boggs one of the "Top 50 Innovators in Big Law in the Last 50 Years." The National Law Journal termed him one of the most influential lawyers in the nation.

Boggs died of an apparent heart attack September 15, 2014 at the age of 73. Former U.S. Senator John Breaux of Louisiana, who worked for Boggs' firm after leaving the Senate in 2005, said: "He was one of the smartest men I’ve ever known and one who had an abiding commitment to seeing how government works and explaining it to others."