Barrett Thomas was born in Irving, Texas, but later moved to and attended high school in Waco, Texas. After graduation from Waco High School, he attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, earning a Bachelor's of Behavioral Science in communications and business administration.  After college, Mr. Thomas began a career in law enforcement. While working initially as a correctional officer, and later as a police officer, Mr. Thomas earned a Master's Degree in criminal justice from Tarleton State University.  Eventually, Mr. Thomas decided to pursue his interest in law and earned a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law. 

Since earning his law degree, Mr. Thomas has worked full-time as a Chief of Police and an Assistant District Attorney.  He also serves the law enforcement community by working part-time as an adjunct instructor for several regional police academies.  In 2011, he was awarded a Master's Peace Officer Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.  Mr. Thomas also serves as the President-Elect of the Abilene Young Lawyers Association, the elected District 15 Director for the Texas Young Lawyers Association, and on the Board of Directors for the West Texas Children’s Advocacy Center.

Mr. Thomas currently manages a private practice concentrating primarily on the area of family law. His practice is based in Sweetwater, Texas, but he frequently serves clients in towns all over central and west Texas. Mr. Thomas's education and work experience have given him a unique perspective and ability to represent his clients in and out of the courtroom, and he would greatly appreciate the opportunity to put those skills to work for you very soon.

Education and Certifications

June 2011                TCLEOSE Master Peace Officer Certification

April 2011                Licensed and Admitted to Practice by the United States Northern District

May 2009                Licensed and Admitted to Practice by the State Bar of Texas

December 2008       Doctor of Jurisprudence

                                  • Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock, TX

December 2004       TCLEOSE Basic Peace Officer Certification

                                  • McLennan Community College Law Enforcement Academy, Waco, TX

May 2004                Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice

                                  • Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX
                                  • Research Emphasis: Criminal Justice Ethics: Training and Retention

August 2001            Bachelor of Behavioral Science

                                  • Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX
                                  • Communications / Public Relations, Business Administration

Honors and Achievements

Professional

• West Texas Children’s Advocacy Center Board of Directors (2012)
• Nolan County Community Supervision Board of Directors (2012)
• President-Elect, Abilene Young Lawyers’ Association (2012)
• District 15 Director, Texas Young Lawyers’ Association (2011 – 2012)
• Treasurer, Abilene Young Lawyers’ Association (2010)

Academic Engagements

January 2012          Heart of Texas Council of Governments Police Academy

                                 • Adjunct Instructor: Report Writing
                                 • Adjunct Instructor: Courtroom Demeanor

October 2011           Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice Annual Conference

                                 • Paper Presentation: An Analysis of Local Law Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law
                                 • Judge: Crime Scene Investigation Challenge
                                 • Panel Chair: Law Enforcement Ethics Forum

June 2010 - Current West Central Texas Council of Governments Police Academy

                                 • Adjunct Instructor: Report Writing
                                 • Adjunct Instructor: Courtroom Demeanor

Spring 2003              Tarleton State University

                                 • Student Instructor: Race, Gender, and Ethnicity in Law Enforcement

Academic Achievements

Texas Tech University School of Law

• Rothwell B. Pool Scholarship
• R. Guy and Phillis Carter Endowed Scholarship
• Texas Tech School of Law Board of Barristers
• 1L Client Counseling Champion
• 1L Mock Trial Semi-Finalist
• 1L Negotiations Quarter-Finalist
• 1L Moot Court Octa-Finalist and Top 10 Oralist
• Advanced Moot Court Semi-Finalist and Top 3 Oralist
• Advanced Negotiations Quarter-Finalist
• Advanced Mock Trial Top 10 Oralist
• Advanced Client Counseling Semi-Finalist
• Spring Advanced Moot Court Semi-Finalist and Top Overall Oralist
• Member, American Association for Justice National Trial Advocacy Team
• Member, William H. Daniel National Mock Trial Team
• President, Texas Tech Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association
• Freshman Representative, Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association
• Judge, Lubbock Municipal Teen Court
• Recruitment Chair and Teen Court Representative, Delta Theta Phi
• Member, Red Raider Bar Association

McLennan Community College Police Academy

• Class Vice-President, McLennan Community College Law Enforcement Academy

Hardin-Simmons University

• Brand Editorial Scholarship
• Vice-President of Media Relations, Hardin-Simmons – Students in Free Enterprise
• Freshman Class President, Hardin-Simmons University Student Council