Mr. Thomas is an experienced trial lawyer. He has also been successful in briefing and arguing key motions in state and federal courts across the country. Mr. Thomas’ effective advocacy skills have led to significant victories through summary judgment, appellate motions, and various post-trial matters in high exposure cases.
While Mr. Thomas is often viewed as a relentless advocate for his clients, he is also respected for his negotiation skills and pragmatic approach to alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Thomas has effectively negotiated many favorable settlements for his clients through mediation, mandatory settlement conferences, and, in some cases, voluntary settlement.
Mr. Thomas' practice currently focuses on litigation, with extensive experience in product liability, construction defect, premises liability and general negligence. In recent years, his practice has expanded to entertainment litigation, insurance coverage, general negligence and other complex litigation matters.
Mr. Thomas is a member in good standing of the American Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, the National Bar Association, BESLA, and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is also a member of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of California.
Mr. Thomas has been a featured speaker for the National Business Institute, where he presented a series of lectures on jury selection, alternative dispute resolution, client satisfaction and reporting skills, taking and defending critical depositions, and preparing experts for trial. Mr. Thomas continues to participate in round-table discussions and guest lectures addressing many legal topics, ranging from defending company depositions to diversity in the legal profession.
Mr. Thomas graduated with Honors from the University of Michigan in 1996, earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and African American Studies. Mr. Thomas went on to earn his law degree in 1999, from the University of Michigan Law School. While in law school, Mr. Thomas served as an editor for the Michigan Journal of Race & Law, and was also a runner up in the 1998 Campbell Moot Court Competition. He authored an award-winning essay entitled “Koester v. City of Novi: Litigation Implications for Pregnancy Discrimination Claims Under the Michigan Handicapper's Civil Rights Act”, which was published in the Winter 1999 edition of the Michigan Bar Journal.
A proud native of Detroit, Michigan, Mr. Thomas currently resides in Los Angeles, where he remains active in his community. He serves as a coach and judge for the Constitutional Rights Foundation, and often meets with inner city teens to discuss the importance of education.
Mr. Thomas joined Yukevich | Cavanaugh in March 2001, and joined the partnership in June 2007.
Representative Matters
• Eubanks v. KBC America Inc. – Read Details
Stanley Mosk Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA – November 23, 2010
• Jones v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – Read Details
Central Civil West Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA – March 13, 2009
Associations
State Bar of California, Litigation Section
Los Angeles County Bar Association
American Bar Association
National Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
BESLA
