THOMAS DAVENPORT – Of Counsel

Tel:  707.547.2000 ext. 119
Fax: 707.526.2746
Email:  tdavenport@beyerscostin.com

Assistant: Amalia Savvidis
Tel:  707.547.2000 ext. 102
Email: asavvidis@beyerscostin.com

LinkedIn Profile

“Tom brings the strong legal background and eye for details that we expect from our attorneys, but also brings a keen financial mind, great negotiating skills, and an ability to find practical options that are critical for deal making and dispute resolutions. We don’t hesitate to bring Tom into the fold early and often, and would not do a deal without Tom’s guidance.”

– Robert J. Aldridge, CFO, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Domaine Carneros Winery, Sequoia Grove Winery

“We have been using Tom as our primary business and contracts attorney for several years, increasing his workload consistently as our business has grown. What I appreciate more than anything else about Altus’s relationship with Tom is there is no question Tom is on our team. He isn’t just punching the timecard. He wants us to win. And he is willing to go out and do research and learn to make sure he is providing us with the service needed. The only problem for him is it will be hard for him to retire…we aren’t letting him off our team anytime soon.”  

– Forrest Jinks, CEO of Altus Equity Group

Thomas Davenport’s practice emphasizes business organization and finance, real estate acquisitions, leasing, sales, and development, with an emphasis on the wine business. His wine practice includes winery and vineyard acquisitions and sales, vineyard leasing, grape purchase contracts, vineyard management contracts, custom crush and alternating proprietorship agreements, and distribution and brokerage agreements. He represents start-ups in corporate affairs, debt and equity financing, franchising, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate-related and environmental matters. He represents contractors in construction contract negotiation, dispute resolution, and compliance issues. He counsels non-profit clients in organizational matters, governmental regulation, and governance. He is an avid legal writer and writes frequently about subjects like groundwater sustainability, easement improvements, consulting contracts, real estate commissions, out-of-state shipping sales tax, and more. Tom excels at working through problems objectively. He approaches each problem calmly, evaluates every angle, and does not rush to a decision. Often this methodical approach leads him to a creative solution. He never forces a decision on his clients but instead presents them with a list of choices and consequences.

Tom’s clients are largely entrepreneurs, who by necessity tend to be creative and aggressive. He is able to provide the most value when consulted proactively, before problems have arisen. Many of his clients are real estate developers, contractors, real estate investors, and wineries and grape growers. 

Tom enjoys hiking, fishing, backpacking, and golf. He lives in Santa Rosa with his wife and dogs.

Practice Areas

  • Real Estate

  • Wine

  • Commercial

  • Corporate

Admissions

  • California Courts

Education

  • McGeorge School of Law, University of Pacific (J.D., cum laude, 1993)

  • Santa Clara University (B.S., 1989)

Associations

  • Sonoma County Bar Association

  • Member, Business Section, State Bar of California

  • Advisory Board Member, Children’s Museum of Sonoma County

  • Past Member, Agribusiness Committee of the State Bar of California

Other

  • Protecting Agricultural Lands through the Williamson Act, Financial Resource Guide, North Bay Business Journal (July 2009) (link)