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FAMILY FOCUSED. JUSTICE DRIVEN. Barrett Thomas

A Judge's Journey

Path and Purpose

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"Every step prepared me for this moment. Every chapter taught me that families deserve more than legal decisions — they deserve fairness, dignity, and compassion."

-Barrett

Barrett Thomas’s path to the bench hasn’t been a straight line.  He’s worn many hats, such as law enforcement officer, prosecutor, family law attorney, and community leader. Each role gave him a different seat in the courtroom and a deeper understanding of how justice impacts real people.

Education

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence, December 2008

  • Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock, TX

  • Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, May 2004

  • Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX

  • Research Emphasis: Criminal Justice Ethics Training and Retention

  • Police Academy, December 2004

  • McLennan Community College Law Enforcement Academy, Waco, TX

  • Bachelor of Behavioral Science, August 2001

  • Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX

  • Communications / Public Relations, Business Administration

Other Certifications

  • TCOLE Peace Officer Instructor Certification, December 2015

  • TCOLE Master Peace Officer Certification, June 2011

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

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

  • TCOLE Peace Officer Certification, 2004.

Other Experiences, Honors, & Achievements

  • Jury Service Committee for the State Bar of Texas (2024-XX)

  • Member, Texas Bar College (2021-XX)

  • Selectee, SuperLawyers (2021-20XX)

  •  Board of Directors, Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children (2021-23)

  •  Member, Region 8 Grievance Committee for the State Bar of Texas (2018-23)

  •  President, Hardin-Simmons University Alumni Association (2023)

  •  Board of Directors, Texas Bar Foundation (2019-22)

  •  Board of Directors, Hardin-Simmons University Alumni Association (2019-24)

  •  Outstanding Young Alumni Award, Hardin-Simmons University (2019)

  •  Leadership Waco Class XXXV (2018)

  •  SuperLawyers Rising Star (2017-2019)

  •  G.O.L.D. (Graduate of Last Decade) Award, Texas Tech Univ. School of Law (2017)

  •  Induction Ceremony Speaker, State Bar of Texas (2016)

  • Keynote Speaker, Texas Tech University School of Law Hooding Ceremony (2015)

  • President, Texas Young Lawyers Association (2015-2016)

  • Executive Committee, State Bar of Texas (2014-2017) 

  • Waco Chamber LEAD Mentor (2015-2016)

  • President-Elect, Texas Young Lawyer’s Association (2014-2015)

  • Committee Member, SBoT Criminal Pattern Jury Instruction Committee (2014-2015)

  • Bob Black Bar Leaders Award, Texas Tech University School of Law (2014)

  • Outstanding Young Lawyer, Abilene Young Lawyer’s Association (2014)

  • Treasurer, Texas Young Lawyer’s Association (2013-2014)

  • President, West Texas Children’s Advocacy Center (2013-2014)

  • President, Abilene Young Lawyers’ Association (2012-13)

  • Vice-President, West Texas Children’s Advocacy Center (2012-2013)

  • Board of Directors, West Texas Children’s Advocacy Clinic (2011-2015)

  • Member, Nolan County Community Justice Council (2011-2015)

  • Member, Nolan County Bar Association (2011-2014)

  • President-Elect, Abilene Young Lawyers’ Association (2011-2012)

  • District 15 Director, Texas Young Lawyers’ Association (2011 – 2013) 

  • Treasurer, Abilene Young Lawyers’ Association (2010-2011)

Academic
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 Oral Advocate

    • Advanced Moot Court Semi-Finalist and Top 3 Oral Advocate

    • Advanced Negotiations Quarter-Finalist

    • Advanced Mock Trial Top 10 Oral Advocate

    • Advanced Client Counseling Semi-Finalist

    • Spring Advanced Moot Court Semi-Finalist and Top Overall Oral Advocate

      ​

  • 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

     

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

     

McLennan Community College Police Academy

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

Academic and Teaching Engagements

  • Heart of Texas Council of Governments Police Academy (Jan 2012 – 2019)
    Adjunct Instructor: Remaining Civil

  • Adjunct Instructor: Advanced Report Writing

  • Adjunct Instructor: Advanced Courtroom Demeanor

  • 32nd Judicial District of Texas (Aug 2012 – May 2015)
    Instructor: Advanced Report Writing

  • Instructor: Advanced Courtroom Demeanor

  • Instructor: Remaining Civil: An Officer’s Guide to Responding to Non-Criminal Calls for Service

  • Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice Annual Conference (Oct 2011)
    Paper Presentation: An Analysis of Local Law Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law

  • Judge: Crime Scene Investigation Challenge

  • Panel Chair: Law Enforcement Ethics Forum

  • West Central Texas Council of Governments Police Academy (Jun 2010 – Dec 2013)
    Adjunct Instructor: Report Writing

  • Adjunct Instructor: Courtroom Demeanor

  • Tarleton State University (Spring 2003)
    Student Instructor: Race, Gender, and Ethnicity in Law Enforcement

Full-Time Employment History

01/2015 – Current   Lighthouse Legal Services (formerly Blanchard & Thomas), Waco, TX

  • Managing Attorney / Principal

01/2025 – Current   Lighthouse Legal Services Private Investigations, Waco, TX

  •   Investigator / Owner

09/2011 – 05/2015   32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Sweetwater, TX

  • Assistant District Attorney

01/2010 – 01/2015   The Thomas Firm, Sweetwater, TX

  • Attorney / Owner (Part-time)

09/2009 – 02/2011   Anson Police Department, Anson, TX

  • Chief of Police (Part-Time Officer 09/2009 – 07/2010)

09/2009 – 09/2010   Taylor County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, Abilene, TX

  • Assistant District Attorney

07/2006 – 12/2008   Texas Tech University School of Law

  • Full-Time Law Student

02/2005 – 04/2006   McGregor Police Department, McGregor, TX

  • Police Officer

12/2003 – 08/2004   Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice - Hughes Unit, Gatesville, TX

  • Correctional Officer I – III

A Judge's Journey: Path and Purpose

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