Biography

Thomas was called to the Queensland Bar in October 2026, having been admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Queensland in February 2014.

Before coming to the Bar, Thomas spent nearly ten years with the Office of the Director of Child Protection Litigation (ODCPL), most recently as a Principal Lawyer. He was responsible for litigating complex child protection matters from the review of briefs of evidence through to final orders and appeared as an advocate in contested interim hearings, court ordered conferences, final hearings and appeals. Thomas advised Child Safety officers on the functions of the chief executive under the Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld) and advised the Director on the functions and powers under the Director of Child Protection Litigation Act 2016 (Qld). He also took part in the ODCPL’s child death and serious physical injury case reviews, and supervised and mentored junior lawyers, particularly in their advocacy.

Thomas began his career as Associate to his Honour Judge Rafter SC in the District Court of Queensland before joining the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, where he appeared in committal proceedings and sentences in the Magistrates Court.

Thomas accepts briefs to advise and appear in child protection, family law, and domestic and family violence matters, and in civil matters including personal injuries. He has substantial experience in matters involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families and accepts Legal Aid briefs.

Thomas holds a Bachelor of Laws from the Queensland University of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts (Criminology and Sociology) from the University of Queensland. He is a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Queensland (FLPA). Thomas won the Queensland Golden Gavel in 2016.