Introduction

Mr. Thomas has participated in hundreds of mediations throughout California as a practicing attorney. He was invited to join the initial appellate mediation panel for the Third District Court of Appeals and served as a Settlement Officer in Department 59 in the Sacramento Superior Court. After years of having served on these panels and with his extensive mediation training, realized his passion and skill for resolving disputes. In 2018, after having tried in excess of 100 civil jury trials, he made a commitment to become a full time neutral. His considerable experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants has earned him a reputation for being an effective mediator who can see a dispute from all angles. Based in our Sacramento office, he is available to mediate and arbitrate personal injury, business, professional malpractice, employment and insurance coverage matters.

Specialties

• All types of Personal Injury including Wrongful Death
• Business/Contractual
• Elder Abuse
• Employment
• Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith
• Professional Negligence
• Product Liability

Hobbies & Interests

In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, bicycle riding, photography and woodworking.

Legal Career

• Neutral, Judicate West (Current)
• Managing Partner, The Thomas Law Firm (2014 – Present)
• Mediator, Third District Court of Appeal, Sacramento (2008-Present)
• Settlement Conference Officer, Sacramento County Superior Court (2000-Present)
• Partner, handling civil litigation, Mason & Thomas (1984-2015)
• Attorney, handling civil litigation, Stumbos & Mason (1978-1984)

Education & Professional Affiliations

• J.D. University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (1974-1977)
• B.S., University of California, Davis (1970-1974)
• Third District Court of Appeal, Mediation Programs
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), (1988-Present)
• Member, Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada (1980-Present)
• Member, Anthony M. Kennedy Inn of Court, with Emeritus Status (2005-Present)
• Board of Directors Member, CalABOTA (2004-2007)
• President, Sacramento Valley Chapter of ABOTA (2004)

Achievements & Awards

• AV “Preeminent” Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Directory
• Named, Best of the Bar, Sacramento Business Journal
• Named, Trial Lawyer of the Year, Sacramento Valley Chapter of ABOTA (2017)
• Recipient, Professionalism and Civility Award, Sacrament Valley Chapter of ABOTA (2008)
• Panel Member, Masters in Trial Programs, ABOTA (5 years)

Legal Experience

• All types of Personal Injury including Wrongful Death
• Business/Contractual
• Elder Abuse
• Employment
• Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith
• Professional Negligence
• Product Liability