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Hon. Linda B. Thomas (Ret.)

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Overview
Practice Areas & Industries
- Appellate
- Business Commercial
- Employment Law
- Estate Probate Trusts
- Family Law
- Higher Education & Title IX
- Insurance
- Personal Injury
- Professional Liability
- Real Property
Honors, Memberships and Professional Activities
Background Education
Locations
Counsel Comments
News & Insights
Events

Chief Justice Linda B. Thomas (Ret.) joined JAMS after serving 31 years as a trial and appellate judge. During her judicial career, Chief Justice Thomas participated in resolving disputes in virtually every area of law. She enjoys a deserved reputation as a well-prepared, knowledgeable, and impartial jurist who has a deep understanding of the law and the diverse dynamics inherent in litigation. Clients laud Chief Justice Thomas’ dedication to getting the job done in a professional manner, as well as her exceptional interpersonal skills and keen sense of humor.

Since becoming a neutral, Chief Justice Thomas has devoted her time, energy, and resources to training, studying, and developing skills and best practices in mediation and arbitration. As a result of her experience practicing law, serving in the judiciary, and her years as an adjunct law school professor, Chief Justice Thomas has the knowledge and skills to resolve simple to complex disputes in a calm, straightforward, and deliberate manner.

Representative Matters

Business Commercial

Experience resolving wide variety of business-related disputes, including claims involving breach of contract, fraud, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, insurance and appellate issues
Particular expertise resolving complex business entity dissolutions

Employment Law

Mediated and arbitrated wide range of employment matters, including wrongful termination, discrimination, workplace-related injury, employment agreement, and theft of trade secret disputes

Estate Probate Trusts

Probate mediation involving division of decedent’s personal injury claim proceeds among heirs
Mediated apportionment of multi-billion-dollar estate

Family Law

Experience handling family law cases as judge and full time neutral involving dissolution, property and asset division, custody, and pre- and post-marital contract disputes

Insurance

Insurance cases involving policy interpretation and coverage

Personal Injury

Appellate mediation of personal injury claims involving municipality
Appellate mediation of personal injury claims between airport employee and janitorial service company
Mediated personal injury claims arising out of automobile accident

Professional Liability

Legal malpractice claims including determination of standard of care, causation, and damages

Real Property

Real estate claims involving purchase and sale disputes, partition of real property, determining fair market value, and damage to real property

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

Completed Virtual ADR training conducted by the JAMS Institute, the training arm of JAMS.

Best Lawyer in ADR/Mediation, D Magazine reader survey, 2014-2016, 2024-2025
Credentialed Advanced Mediator, Texas Mediator Credentialing Association, 2013-2014
Lifetime Achievement Award, Judicial Section of State Bar of Texas, 2013
Women in Law Distinguished Alumni Appreciation Award, SMU Dedman School of Law, 2010
Distinguished Alumni Award for Judicial Service, SMU Dedman School of Law, 2008
Award of Excellence for outstanding service to the judiciary, 2005
Dallas Bar Foundation Fellows Award in honor of a distinguished legal career and civic contributions, 2005
Outstanding Profile Award for dedication, mentoring, and support of individuals in pursuit of public service, Texas Women’s Initiative, 2005
SMU Award for significant contributions to improving the lives of women and children, 2004
Judge-of-the-Year Award for outstanding service and dedication to preserving the right of civil trial by jury, ABOTA, 1998
Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law, teaching trial and appellate procedure as well as family law, SMU Dedman School of Law, 2003-present
Faculty, National Judicial College, 1992-present
Commissioner, Texas Access to Justice Commission, 2007-2010
Member, Texas Judicial Council, 2005-2010
Chair, Texas Council of Chief Justices, 2003
Member, Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency, 1995-1997
Chair, Judicial Section of State Bar of Texas, 1991-1992
Chair, Board of Directors, Texas Center for the Judiciary, Inc., 1991-1992 (Secretary-Treasurer, 1993-1996)
Faculty member, Texas College for New Judges, 1981-1996, 2005-2006 (Dean, 1988-1993)
Dean, Texas Regional Judicial Conferences, 1987-1990
A nationally recognized leader in continuing legal and judicial education, she is a frequent speaker and author for continuing education programs, teaching attorneys, judges, court personnel, and judicial educators throughout the United States

Background and Education

Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University, 2011
Advanced Family Mediation Training, 20-hour course, American Bar Association, 2011
Family Mediation Training, 40-hour course, American Bar Association, 2009
Basic Mediator Training, 21-hour course, American Academy of Attorney-Mediators, Inc., 1995
Chief Justice, Fifth District Court of Appeals, Dallas, Texas, 1995-2009
Justice, Fifth District Court of Appeals, Dallas, Texas, 1987-1994
Judge, 256th District Court, Dallas County, Texas, 1979-1986
Partner, Martin, Harrison and Withers, 1977-1979
Sole Practitioner, 1975-1977
Attorney, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 1974-1975
Associate Director, SMU Legal Clinic, 1973-1974
J.D., Southern Methodist University, 1973
B.A., University of Texas at Arlington, 1970

Virtual & In-Person Locations

Home Office

Dallas, TX

Available to Travel To

Atlanta, GA
Boca Raton, FL
Boston, MA
Century City, CA
Detroit, MI
Houston, TX
Inland Empire, CA
Las Vegas, NV
London
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
Milwaukee, WI
Minneapolis, MN
New York, NY
Orange County, CA
Philadelphia, PA
Sacramento, CA
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Santa Rosa, CA
Seattle, WA
Silicon Valley, CA
St. Louis, MO
Toronto, ON
Walnut Creek, CA
Washington, DC

Virtual hearings available nationwide

“We were able to have a final hearing in the middle of a snowstorm in the middle of a pandemic. This final hearing would not have happened if it had not been virtual. It was amazing that Justice Thomas was able to get the final award issued in less than two days – again, in the middle of a snowstorm! The case management was great too – responsive and quick. The JAMS portal is excellent.”

“I am an arbitrator myself, so I know how hard it can be to pull off a virtual hearing. JAMS did a great job on this one. Justice Thomas did a great job ensuring that everyone was treated fairly, everyone understood and knew that they had been fully heard, and she ruled quickly and decisively. This is everything you can possibly hope for in an arbitration. I will definitely recommend Justice Thomas again.”

“Thanks for doing an excellent job. My client and I were so thrilled with your dedication, insight and hard work—to say nothing of your intelligence and knowledge of the law.”

— Attorney who has worked with Chief Justice Thomas

“Thank you for a fantastic effort in getting this matter settled. You were calm, measured, and directed. You worked both rooms and kept us all from getting really worked up. My client could not stop singing your praises. I’ll recommend you to my [colleagues].”

— Attorney who has worked with Chief Justice Thomas